Ahangama Secret Beach
‍A tiny and often deserted cove. Find it down a little alleyway opposite of the Hotel School just past Ahangama. Sometimes there’s a small stall selling coconuts but usually there’s nothing other than golden sand.

Breaks: Marshmallows/Insight, Sticks, Animals, Gas Stations, Sion, Dreamsea Left  

Midigama
‍Long sweeping stretch of beach home to a herd of cows and often taken over by local boys playing cricket at sunset.

Breaks: Lazy Left, Lazy Right, Plantations, Coconuts, Ram’s

Kabalana

Great beach for kids to make sandcastles and collect seashells with a beginner’s beach break and a few local schools to rent boards for budding surfers.
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Breaks:  Kabalana Beach, The Rock

Weligama
Most developed beach in the area with Countless surf shacks and also some bigger hotels. Like Kabalana, it’s a great beginners break but you can also paddle out to the Island or Fishermen’s and catch some bigger waves.
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Breaks: Weligama Beach, Fishermen’s, The Island

Beware of rough seas in the monsoon season. There are no lifeguards at most beaches and even quiet looking coves may have rip tides, so be extremely wary of swimming in the ocean during the monsoon and always ask any locals and local businesses around before going in the water.

Improve your surfing skills by booking a surf lesson with our surf partner Ticket To Ride. For more information go to Wellbeing

Bike Tours
With all the beautiful ocean sunsets, many forget the beauty of Sri Lanka’s backroads. Grab a bicycle and discover the hidden paddy fields, lakes, and its hidden wildlife along the backroads of Ahangama @jungleridesbyaja or Unawatuna @idlebikes.

White Tea Plantation
Not enough time to go to Sri Lanka’s hill country? Get a guided tour of a tea plantation and factory just 15 minutes from PALM at the Handunugoda Tea Estate. The tour is USD 2 per person, and you can stock up on a selection of tea to take home.

Turtles + Rock Pools
‍You can opt to see turtles at one of the “sanctuaries” in Koggala or you can often spot wild turtles by both Dalawella and Thalpe Beach. And if they’re not there that day, don’t worry, it’s not a day wasted as a swim in the rock pools is an experience in itself.

Galle Fort
‍Galle is the closest big town to PALM and its Portuguese and Dutch built fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wander the cobblestone streets, watch the sunset from the ramparts, do a little shopping. Beware, the Fort gets hot during day, so either go in the morning or in the late afternoon.

Hiriketya
The most perfect palm fringed horseshoe bay – drive up in the morning, go for a surf or swim in the ocean, have some lunch at one of the many restaurants, and grab a sunset drink at a beach shack. Don’t miss the award-winning cocktails at Smoke & Bitters @smoke_n_bitters.

Lunuganga + Madu River Safari
‍A bit further afield, about 1 hour from Galle towards Colombo, find serenity and inspiration at the spectacular 12-acre Lunuganga gardens created by the architect Geoffrey Bawa as his personal country estate over a period of 40 years. By guided tour only – restaurant open to the public by booking only. Combine with the Brief Gardens or a boat tour of the Madu river.

Elephant Safari
Both Yala and Udawalawe can be done in a daytrip from PALM. Whilst you can see elephants in both national parks, leopards can only be spotted in Yala. However, Yala can become extremely busy during the high season, with jeeps outnumbering animals, therefore we generally recommend the (also closer) Udawalawe national park. We can organize a daytrip to Udawalawe for you, come and chat to us.

Cooking Classes
‍Sri Lankan cuisine is having a moment! Learn about local ingredients and cooking techniques with Susanthi and her daughter who will take you for a trip to the local veg & fish market and then cook up a local storm in the house at @SeaWavesRestaurant

Abode by the Beach
Little beachy sister to hip Bombay hotel serving fresh produce with a focus on seafood and small bites overlooking Sion surf break. Don’t miss the cocktails. @abode.bythebeach

Big Mighty Deli
Tropical Deli + Cool Spot on the main road by Kabalana with lovely beer garden out the back. Serves a huge selection of tasty burgers, sandwiches and salads. Check their Instagram for opening hours.
‍@bigmightydeli

Casa Tikiri
‍Newly opened boutique hotel with spectacular attention to detail and restaurant open to the public (by reservation only) in Kabalana serving delicious, authentic Italian food.
‍@casatikiri

Ceylon Sliders
‍Brandnew beachfront restaurant, bar and surf shop with steps, stables and sunbeds spilling out onto Ahangama beach. Also rent high quality boards (including longboards)
‍@ceylonsliders

Black Honey Cafe
Beautifully designed daytime café with pool and views over the paddies in the backroads of Kabalana serving innovative breakfast fare and outstanding coffee. @black.honey.cafe

Crust Pizza
‍Our favourite local beach hangout serving local style pizza and tacos with a sunset viewing deck and tables spilling onto Ahangama beach.
‍@crust.ahangama

Dreamsea
Surfcamp open to the public with beach access, a lovely garden with pool to chill and delicious food with healthy options. Don’t miss the Tuna Poke Bowl! @dreamseasurf

Fort Printers
Beautifully renovated hotel with restaurant in Galle Fort serving locally sourced produce in their frangipani courtyard overlooking the thin lap pool. Booking essential. @thefortprinters

Harding & Mr. M
Urban chic boutique hotel in the centre of Ahangama. If you’re lucky you might be able to nab a seat at their rooftop bar for sunset (by booking only). @hardingboutiquehotels

Lighthouse
Hands-down the most popular sunset spot amongst the locals and you’ll know why after climbing the 4 flights of stairs and spotting the 180-degree views of the ocean. @lighthouse_ahangama

Locale
Outstanding ingredients focused food and cocktails in a lovely gastrobar setting on the Weligama beach road. Follow their Instagram for updates on live music nights. @locale.lk

Malabar Hill
Luxury resort reminiscent of Rajasthan, overlooking paddy fields all-round and the ocean in the distance, about 20 minutes from PALM near Weligama. Personal favourite for a romantic meal or an occasion. Booking essential.
‍@malabarhillsrilanka

Manori's Kitchen
“Home restaurant” in the back roads of Ahangama, serving honest home cooked Sri Lankan meals.
‍@manoris_kitchen_ahangama

Sisters Away
Not to miss brunch spot in Kabalana serving delicious home-baked bread by Turkish sister duo
‍@sisterssrilanka

Soul & Surf
Coolest surf and yoga retreat with their “canteen” open to the outside public for cocktails and fresh bites, in a small cove overlooking stilt fishermen and the tropical sunset. Have an afternoon boogie during their family friendly Sunday Sessions. @soulandsurfsrilanka

Trax
‍Beautifully restored colonial house behind the train-trax between Ahangama and Kabalana. Serving delicious cocktails and open till late with local and international DJs.
@trax_ahangama

Uncle's
Little sister to coolest Colombo cocktail bar, “Hotel de Uncle” is right on Ahangama beach, also serving tasty short eats.
‍@hoteldeuncles

Wild + The Sage
Forgot your holiday reading? Head to the cutest little bookshop with attached cafe serving all day food and delicious coffee and start reading in their garden
‍@wildandthesage