There is no good feeling than taking a small nap in a hammock while listening to the calm rhythmic sound of the waves crashing right next to you. A pinch of salt mixed with the sensational evening breeze adds some flavour and aroma to your magical evening. The soft sun is just strong enough to trigger a reminder of how much Mother Nature embraces you with her love. Let your toes touch down the soft and indulgent sand that spreads far ahead into the ocean and surreal enough it will keep you motionless and be trapped in its beauty. There is a special name for this kingdom of solitude that’s filled with tranquil nature. It derives from the Sinhalese word “onne watuna”, which translates into “there it fell”, subsequently it became “Unawatuna”. Alas! The place where god created to give a glimpse of heaven to the mortals.
Located 5km south from Galle, this beach has become one of the most significant beaches in Sri Lanka with its golden sand with a coral reef. Safe swimming, wreck and reef diving and surf points are some of the many attractions this beach offers. Once you visit, you will immediately realise how one becomes a dreamer of such a place. The 1 km wide semi-circle beach makes the ocean the only way of escaping. The lush graven coconut palm trees filter the scorching sun and the wind while turning it into a soothing whistle. As the final element of hypnotism, you can spot the shining Buddhist stupa sitting majestically on a green hill. This epitome of Buddhist architecture lies as if it is guarding the whole surfers while windsurfing. The reef, on the other hand, is one of the extraordinary creations of Mother Nature.
Even after you’ve had your time with all the scuba diving, surfing and swimming, a unique place called Rumassala; a place which described in Ramayanaya come to your rescue. A rocky outcrop which stands tall behind the village makes you a prisoner of your own intellectual dilemma. Rumassala is home to a large collection of medicinal herbs which is rare to be found in Sri Lanka. It is mentioned in the Epic Ramayanaya that Lord Hanuman, king of the non-human, vanara tribe was sent by Lord Rama to Himalaya to fetch medicinal herbs to save his brother Lakshman. As Lord Hanuman failed to identify the plant he ended up bringing an entire hill ripped off to Sri Lanka. He chopped off a chunk of land along the way. Part of it became Ritigala and the other became Rumassala. With its enchanting yet flabbergasted view of Siri Padaya on top adds more value to this place. The sea bordering Rumassala has the Nona Vista reef, sheltering one of the best-preserved coral of the island.
Have you ever seen a turtle stepping his first steps? This is one of the most beautiful incidents this place offer to its lovers. It is pretty common to catch glimpses of sea turtles choosing this blessed beach to lay eggs having the faith that it will do the best to its kids. It is one of the most extraordinary feelings which one can experience in his or her lifetime to see a baby turtle crawling to its natural habitat starting a new phase of its life. Moreover, the Habaraduwa Turtle Hatchery is located about 3kms south of Unawatuna. It is a fine example of going that extra mile to save these magnificent species.
There is a dark side of this place which is left unsaid. Galle seaport used to be the first landing seaport of the Arabs, the Portuguese, the Dutch and the English. Due to this reason, this beach has become a key destination for the wreck divers. Within 20-30 minutes away are Lord Nelson, a wreck of a cargo ship that is about ten years old and Rangoon, a British steamer sunken about 100 years ago. This is an ideal place for anyone who wants to be lost in time. All these artefacts and the splendid coral reef adds more colour to the usual background that attracts more and more divers and snorkelers.
When you are just about to feel that you have seen it all, you can spot another place that resembles the religious significance of this place. Among its rocky environment and a blush of greenery is the Yatagala Rajamaha Viharaya that stands tall in Unawatuna-Hinatigala road. Its legacy for over more than 2300 years and the eye-catching murals over the walls makes anyone mesmerise. The 9 meter long Buddha statue also depicts the master craftsmanship of the ancient Sri Lankans.
It is a beach, a weekend getaway, somewhere that can be an island of solitude and much more. With its emerald drops of Unawatuna, it is indeed a place where you must visit. This is a fine resemblance of all the surprises that can be seen within 1 Km. This is indeed a place which will bless not only your mind but also your soul too.
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