Name: Galawatta Beach Resort
Address: 654 Matara Road Thalpe, 80615 Unawatuna, Sri Lanka, Heenatigala Junction, Heenatigala Junction, Heenatigala Junction, 80615, Sri Lanka
Rating: 8

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Smoke-free property

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Terrace

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Mosquito net

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Ironing

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Diet menu (on request)

Breakfast

Breakfast in the room

Restaurant

Bottled water

Meals

Internet access

Internet

Car rental

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Transfer

Bike rental

Barbecue grill(s)

Fishing

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Parking

Beach facilities

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Next to the beach

Pool and beach

Diving

Cycling

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Yoga

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Koggala Airport

Mawella Lagoon Airport

Bentota River Airport

Galawatta Beach Resort

Heenatigala Junction

We arrived late in the evening from Kandy and the night staff offered  us sandwiches as all the restaurants were closed.  The cabana was very cozy and the sound of the ocean waves close by lulled us to sleep.  One of our concerns was safety but we were assured there was 24 hr monitoring of the grounds.  The location was spectacular right on a turtle beach where the green turtles and other species swam into the protected shallow waters  for handouts of seaweed sold by the locals.  While we did not condone this practice it provided visitors an opportunity to observe these marine animals close up in their native habitat and most people were respectful in allowing the turtles to swim freely.  There is also a turtle rehab/conservation facility nearby that was fascinating and educational to visit.  There are 3 or 4  restaurants along this stretch of beach which are easy to access on foot  and safe to walk to after dark.  There was a nice grassy area with lounge chairs and a swing that hung from a tall tree on the property  This hotel was quiet in the evening and the restaurant/bar closed up early.  I also booked a massage and we rented took a tuk tuk to do some souvenir shopping.  
The restaurant also offered some local handmade embroidered bags with colorful elephant motifs which made for easy to pack  gifts.
I would definitely recommend this family run accommodation.
Carol S
NY, USA

great beach, attentive staff, and for a bonus, lots of turtles!!!!

Hidden gem between two better known places. We got 3 rooms for 5 nights - two of the apartments and one of the older cabanas. The apartments are very spacious and well done. The cabanas are closer to the beach but older so not as well equipped and spacious. Still the resort is picturesque with well landscaped grounds and lounge chairs etc to relax in. Also their beach front is easily the best as the tides provide a shallow pool during the day and good waves in the morning and evening. The staff are very friendly and the food was incredible. As a bonus I got a great massage.

Hidden gem

We really felt at home within the „family“ of Galawatta!!! The crew was always there for and with us and that made our stay at the resort rich of smiles :-))) and of course very relaxing!!! The Cabanas are a unique experience of living and sleeping close to the shore! And what a way to start a day swimming with turtles and then enjoy a wonderfully homemade breakfast from the chef:-))) 
Just some stats: It was always clean, the prices are very moderat and the comfort as well is at a high level! 
We planned to stay for 3 nights, ended up with 6… Just because we felt to be in the right place! Thanks for everything!!! Sthuthi!!!

Something REALLY special!!!

Super bungalow feet in the water, great breakfast and dinner served on our terrace bathing at 7am, swimming with turtles it's very difficult to swim on this island there are very big waves but a beautiful country

It's a great place.

We loved the Galawatta beach cabanas - their location couldn’t be better, with the turtle beach right at your doorstep. You can actually see the turtles swimming from the terrace. 

The cabanas are spacious with lovely terraces and some beach area, which keeps a good amount of distance between you and the beach goers. We got all meals served on our terrace as well, which was really a treat. It is also a very rustic cabana design and I loved hearing the sounds of the waves as I fell asleep. 

A special thank you and mention to the staff as well, who are absolutely lovely and take wonderful care of the nature around them, ensuring the turtles are enjoyed in an animal-friendly way. Also a big thanks to the chef who made us several delicious feasts!

Turtle beach treasure

Beautiful place and wonderful staff! Turtles all day and night. A lot of unavoidable rain at the time, but nothing to do on that but sit back and enjoy the monsoon rains. 
Great find on a beautiful beach with lovely people! 

Great hidden gem! 

I stayed here for 2 nights and was amazed by Deepika & her crew! The Cabana is very charming and only a few meters from the beach. A beach were you can swim since it is secluded by a natural barrier and super amazing you can swim with big turtles. 

Had breakfast and diner on the lovely terrace in front of the cabana.

Sun beds are on the hotel premises. Note at night you can hear the sea quite loudly. The cabanas do have airco, which is not needed though since a fan does it work.

Excellent stay!

It's a beautiful beach with no shelter, you can swim with turtles in the sea, and the staff is a force to be reckoned with. Thank you! It's an ideal starting point for a trip through Sri Lanka!

Best water conditions in Sri Lanka

English below:
Viisi tähteä Deepikalle ja hänen tiimilleen. Heidän "can do" asenne teki lomastamme täydellisen. Rantamajan terassilla nautitut aamiaiset ja ateriat olivat upeita. Sijainti, paikan vehreys ja mahdollisuus yksityisyyteen tekevät siitä ainutlaatuisen. Tämä sijaitsee rannan parhaimmalla paikalla. Ikkunaan kannattaa laittaa tarrakiinnitteinen hyttysverkko (esim. Lidlistä), jolloin ilmastointia ei tarvita merituulen ja kattotuulettimen ansiosta. Emme nähneet rottia tms., ulkona juoksevat oravat ja liskot olivat suloisia. Sisällä oli ainoastaan muurahaisia, joiden vuoksi ei voi mitään syötävää huoneeseen tuoda. Jääkaapille olisi tarvetta, koska ravintola menee kiinni klo 20 ja siellä on tarjolla alkoholijuomista vain olutta ja valkoviiniä (20e/plo). Kylmälaukku tuotiin terassille illalla, mutta yöpalaa ei voi säilyttää muurahaisten vuoksi. Tämä on ainoa miinus paikassa. Muutoin kaikki oli täydellistä.
Five stars to Deepika and her team. They have very unique "can do" attitude and all meals in our private terrace were amazingly delicious. You don't need an A/C if you bring the mosqito net to window, ocean wind is super! Fridge is almost necessary to get night snack or cold drinks and water because restaurant is closing 8pm. They gave a cold bag for beer when they closed, but you should not save any food in a room because of ants. No other animals seen in the room and outdoor squirrels and lizards were sweet :D. Everything was perfect!!

Viiden tähden loma / Five star holiday

We stayed at the beachfront cabana. The place was amazing, very clean, spacious and nicely decorated. You could here the waves while sleeping and have breakfast next to the sand.
The beach in front of the resort is very nice, forming a natural swimming pool where you can swim with the local sea turtles. It is a place worth staying  at while in the Unawatuna area.

Galawatta Beach Resort

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