🏖️ A Quick Dip at Dickwella Beach

I headed to Dickwella Beach one afternoon when I needed to cool down a bit—it’s literally just a few meters from the Verse Collective coworking space, which makes it super convenient if you’re based there.

🍹 Bars & Lounging

The eastern stretch of the beach is lined with bars and restaurants, complete with sun loungers and even a volleyball court. If you’re into beach lounging and cold drinks under the sun, you’ll probably enjoy the vibe here.

That said, lounging on the beach has never really been my thing—so unfortunately, I can’t give you reviews of amazing cocktails or food. But hey, if that’s your scene, you’ll have plenty of options to explore.

🤿 Snorkeling (…or not quite)

Google might tell you there’s great snorkeling at Dickwella, but honestly, I probably didn’t find the right spot. What I did find, though, was a perfect place for a swim. I entered the water from the eastern side of the bay, which was much cleaner. The area right in front of Verse Collective had some kind of strange flow of liquid into the sea—it had an unpleasant smell, so I gave that section a hard pass.

Getting there: Reaching Turtle Point from Verse Collective is pretty straightforward. You can hop in a tuk-tuk for a quick ride, or simply walk. Admittedly, the walk isn’t the most scenic part of your trip — a bit dusty and ordinary — but as a traveler, it’s part of the experience. Not everything needs to be picture-perfect. Observing the everyday life around you is just as rewarding as the postcard views.

Tucked away near the sleepy coastal village of Batigama, close to Dickwella in southern Sri Lanka, lies a serene spot known as Turtle Point. It’s not one of the country’s mainstream tourist destinations — and that’s exactly what makes it special.

🏝 What is Turtle Point?

Turtle Point is a quiet, rocky headland that juts out into the Indian Ocean. Surrounded by palm-fringed beaches and gentle waves, it’s a peaceful place for travelers seeking a more authentic, off-the-beaten-path experience. From the tip of the point, you can often gaze down into the crystal-clear water and spot sea turtles gracefully swimming in the shallows.

This place isn’t commercialized or crowded. No fences, no entrance fees — just nature doing its thing.

My two cents: There are a few small beach bars near Turtle Point. I always went to the one on the eastern end — it’s nothing fancy, but they sell ice-cold Coca-Cola and let you sit and relax as long as you like. The guy behind the bar was incredibly friendly. He even lent me snorkeling gear for free and offered seaweed so I could feed the turtles — a great experience! Of course, no touching — just observe and enjoy. I’ve visited this spot three times, and each time, turtles were there without fail.

🐢 Who Lives Here?

Sri Lanka’s southern coastline is an important habitat for five species of sea turtles, and Turtle Point is part of that delicate ecosystem. Among the most commonly seen here are:

• Green turtles, who feed on sea grass and moss in the area.

• Olive Ridley turtles, the smallest and one of the most widely distributed species.

• Occasionally, you might even spot a Hawksbill or Loggerhead turtle.

While Turtle Point isn’t primarily a nesting beach like nearby Rekawa, turtles can sometimes be spotted year-round, especially around sunrise or just before sunset.

Getting there: If you’re coming from Dikwella, Secret Beach is about 25 kilometers east, and the drive takes roughly 45 minutes to an hour depending on traffic. The easiest way to get there is by tuk-tuk or scooter. Most drivers in Dikwella will know Mirissa, and from there, you can follow signs toward Secret Beach or ask to be dropped off near Waveside Bistro, which sits just above the beach. The final stretch is a steep, narrow road, but it’s accessible by scooter or on foot. There’s a small parking area near the top, and from there it’s a short walk down to the sand.

My story: It wasn’t until we parked the tuk-tuk on the hill above Secret Beach in Mirissa that I realized we had an unexpected travel companion. There, perched calmly by the back window, was a chicken. Well—calm until she suddenly started pecking at me! Turns out, my tuk-tuk driver had bought her earlier that day—not for soup, but for eggs. She had joined us for the entire ride, clucking quietly in the back like it was just another day. She clearly wasn’t thrilled about sharing her space with a tourist, though. Let’s just say… I got the pecking order wrong. 😅

Just outside of Mirissa, tucked away behind a hill and a bumpy narrow road, lies a spot still known as Secret Beach. It may not be much of a secret anymore—it’s even on Google Maps—but it still has that off-the-path feel. I walked down to the cove just below Waveside Bistro, a simple beach bar perched above the rocks, and found only a few people scattered across the sand. The setting was quiet, with palms leaning into the sea and soft waves lapping at the shore.

What really stayed with me, though, was the snorkeling. I didn’t expect much, but the water here is crystal clear and full of life. I saw several larger fish cruising through the shallows and—unless I was imagining things—at least two octopuses nestled between the rocks. It was the kind of place where you could just float in the water, half-expecting a sea turtle to glide past. And all of this just steps from the beach.

Getting there: From Mirissa Beach, you can simply walk along the shoreline for about 10–15 minutes toward the southeastern end. Alternatively, you can drive and park near the Bandaramulla Temple, then take a short path to the hill. The spot is free to visit, but remember—it’s on private land, so be respectful. Bring water, wear good shoes, and don’t forget your camera. Coconut Tree Hill is not just a place to tick off your itinerary—it’s a moment to slow down and take in the beauty of Sri Lanka.

Coconut Tree Hill in Mirissa is one of the most iconic and photogenic spots on Sri Lanka’s southern coast. Perched on a small red-earth cliff at the edge of the sea, this palm-covered hill offers sweeping views of the Indian Ocean. The contrast of tall, swaying coconut palms against the deep blue sea creates a postcard-perfect scene that draws photographers, influencers, and beach lovers alike. Whether you visit at sunrise for a peaceful moment or at sunset when the sky turns gold and orange, the atmosphere is truly

Getting there: I walked along the road from Dickwella city, but you can take tuk tuk easily.

Wewurukannala Raja Maha Viharaya is a Buddhist temple in Dikwella, on Sri Lanka’s south coast, best known for its 50-meter seated Buddha statue—the tallest in the country. The temple was originally founded in the 18th century, but most of what visitors see today, including the giant Buddha and surrounding structures, was added in the 20th century. Architecturally and thematically, the temple mixes devotional art with didactic storytelling, often in graphic detail. It’s especially known for a passageway of life-sized dioramas that depict Buddhist hell, intended as a moral warning before one reaches the Buddha image itself.

One of the most distinctive—and sometimes unsettling—features of the temple is the corridor visitors pass through before reaching the main statue. This section, often referred to as the „tunnel of hell,“ is lined with vivid sculptures showing punishments for various misdeeds according to Buddhist teachings. Figures are shown being boiled, cut, or crushed, accompanied by demons and symbolic imagery. While graphic, the purpose is didactic: to illustrate karmic consequences and encourage ethical behavior. For many visitors, this contrast between the dark imagery of the tunnel and the serene presence of the giant Buddha is one of the temple’s most powerful aspects.

In addition to the giant seated Buddha, the temple complex also includes a large reclining Buddha statue, located in an older section of the temple. This figure represents the Buddha at the moment of passing into Parinirvana—the final state beyond rebirth. The walls around it are decorated with faded but detailed paintings, some dating back to the original 18th-century construction.

Getting there: I took a tuk tuk for full day and this was one of the stops. For a more economical option, local buses run between Dikwella and Matara. You can catch a bus heading towards Matara and disembark at the Weherahena junction. From there, it’s a short walk to the temple. Buses are frequent, but schedules can vary, so it’s good to check the latest timings locally.

My story: In one corner of the temple, a monk was offering intricately made bracelets—but what stayed with me wasn’t the bracelet itself. It was the simple thread he tied around my wrist, a gesture more symbolic than decorative. Surprisingly, that thin string—impossible to untie—stayed on for over half a year. I still can’t believe how long it lasted.

Weherahena Poorwarama Raja Maha Viharaya is a large Buddhist temple complex located just a few kilometers from Matara, in southern Sri Lanka. Though the site itself was first established in the early 20th century, most of the current structures—including its defining features—were developed over the following decades. The temple is best known for its towering 39-meter seated Buddha statue and a tunnel system filled with vivid murals. It was built with the support of local devotees and under the direction of the monk Parawahera Rewatha Thero, whose vision turned a small forest monastery into a major pilgrimage site.

The underground tunnel is one of the temple’s most distinctive elements. Dug out over years by hand, the passage winds beneath the statue and is completely covered with paintings depicting scenes from the Jataka tales and the Buddha’s life. These murals, while more recent than those in ancient temples, are colorful, detailed, and expansive—stretching over hundreds of meters. The tunnel functions not only as an art gallery but also as a form of walking meditation, guiding visitors through the moral and spiritual teachings of Buddhism before they emerge beneath the giant Buddha.

Elsewhere in the complex, there are smaller shrines, a Bodhi tree grown from a cutting of the sacred tree in Anuradhapura, and various pavilions used for daily offerings and prayer. Compared to some of the island’s older or more remote temples, Weherahena is busy and well-maintained, often visited by local devotees and tour groups alike. While the temple’s scale and artwork are relatively modern, its layout and symbolism remain closely tied to traditional Theravāda Buddhist practice.