So Sri Lanka

Fun in the Sun in Koggala

Ruwandi Perera profiles an enchanting hotspot on Sri Lanka’s southern coast

Home to one of Sri Lanka’s longest beaches, Koggala is known for its many attractions such as turtles, snorkelling and surfing. It may be a small area on the map but Koggala has plenty of experiences to offer visitors especially since it’s blessed with the sea on one side and an enormous lake on the other.

Koggala also has a less known and literary side to it as the hometown of famed Sri Lankan novelist Martin Wickramasinghe. So while you’re there and exposed to the inspiration for his many tales, falling in love with the author’s beloved stories is guaranteed.

‘Vitamin sea’ is abundant in Koggala because you will never be too far away from the beach. As one of Sri Lanka’s best-loved locations for water sports, the blue waters have something for everyone.

A reef break in the area makes this an excellent spot for swimming, snorkelling and free diving. And if you wander towards Galle, you’ll come across the famous stilt fishermen as well as photographic poseurs!

What’s more, Koggala is home to all five varieties of sea turtles – olive ridley, loggerhead, green, hawksbill and leatherbacks – that visit Sri Lanka. So keep a lookout for those moving shells!

Don’t worry about not being able to cover all of Koggala in one weekend. Since it’s easily accessible and connected to all things ‘beachy’ down south, this is one holiday spot you’ll want to keep returning to.

Fact File

FOLK MUSEUM Koggala is synonymous with the great Sri Lankan author and a visit to his home turned museum is a must when you’re in the neighbourhood. Located in the Koggala Free Trade Zone, the Martin Wickramasinghe Folk Museum Complex houses a vast collection of souvenirs from the author’s lifetime. Antique clay pots and pans, puppets, masks, metal artefacts, traditional musical instruments and dance costumes are some of the mementos of a bygone age you will find here. You’ll also see ancient bullock carts, horse-drawn carriages and even rickshaws – a journey back in time to the mid-1900s. There’s also a selection of the novelist’s books if you’re interested in making a purchase.

MAGICAL ISLAND Relive the adventures of Upali, Jinna, Ranadewa, Dangadasa and Siripala on the island where Martin Wickramasinghe brought these beloved characters of Sinhala literature to life. A visit to Koggala is not complete without a trip to the famous Madol Duwa island. One of seven in the Koggala Lake, this once deserted isle now attracts many visitors. It’s best to visit in the early hours of the day and you can easily hire a boat to get there. Some tour companies even offer packed lunches. Once you’re there, you can walk around and explore.

BEACH SECLUSION Located 20 minutes away from Koggala, the beautiful and isolated Midigama beach is a great place to do a spot of swimming, snorkelling and other water activities. The clear waters are teeming with reef fish and harmless sharks. Since it’s a marine life sanctuary of sorts, it isn’t frequented by many so you won’t be disturbed. The area around Midigama beach has five hotspots for surfing – viz. Coconuts, Plantation Point, Rams, Lazy Left and Lazy Right. You won’t find many restaurants or eateries nearby so go prepared and wear a sun hat.

ANCIENT TEMPLE Built in the 13th century, the Kataluva Purva­rama Maha Viharaya is a less known attraction in Koggala but one of the area’s oldest complexes. Lose yourself in this temple with its colourful walls depicting Jataka tales and other stories from Sri Lanka’s Buddhist history. The temple also has an abundance of Kandyan style paintings including depictions of musicians, dancers and European figures in Sri Lanka. Interestingly, you will also find paintings of some British royals. The painting of Queen Victoria was an expression of gratitude to the monarch for allowing the unhindered practice of Buddhism in the island after the British laid claim to Ceylon in 1815.

THE RAINFOREST Though it’s not listed as one of the main attrac­tions in Koggala, you will not regret visiting the nearby Hiyare Reservoir Rainforest – it’s a hidden gem. It will take you around 30 minutes to get there from Koggala along the Habaraduwa-Dikkumbura road and you’ll find yourself transported to a completely different world. Home to many species of fish, amphibians, birds and reptiles, this 2.4 square kilometre rainforest also houses several endemic butterflies and dragonflies. It’s a secondary lowland rainforest and one of Sri Lanka’s biodiversity hotspots.

Relive the adventures of Upali, Jinna, Ranadewa, Dangadasa and Siripala on the island where Martin Wickramasinghe brought these beloved characters of Sinhala literature to life