Luxury holidays in Dikwella

On Sri Lanka’s southern coast, the small coastal market town of Dikwella is home to a long sandy beach and Sri Lanka’s largest seated Buddha statue. The main beach is protected by headlands, reefs and sandbars, which makes for serene swimming and snorkelling; adventurous types can flipper out over the reef to spy on colourful fish at both the Pehambiya and western ends. If you’d rather soak up the sun, flop down and watch as fishermen haul nets into their colourful outrigger canoes or wander through the town’s market (held by the beach every Saturday).
See All Villas

When to go

December to April, when it’s sunny but not sweltering, is the most popular time to visit; the sea is also at its most serene. By May, humidity soars, storms intensify and the rain falls in short, sharp bursts until June and again in October and November.

Getting there

  • Planes

    Fly to Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport direct from select European destinations, plus Sydney. Sri Lankan Airlines also offers an in-country air taxi service to Dikwella. Call our Smith24 team and they’ll help arrange your flights.

  • Trains

    Trains do run from Colombo as far south as Matara town, but rail isn't the most efficient or comfortable way to travel to Dikwella.

  • Automobiles

    There’s no reason to drive yourself; the six-hour coastal trek from the Colombo south to Tangalle can be exhausting (and it’s not for the faint-hearted).