It is said that only thanks to the works of the writer Martin Wickramasingh, the town of Koggala (Sri Lanka) was marked on the geographical map. Memories of the town where Wickramasingh was born are present in many of the author’s books. And the plot of “Madol Duva”, the most famous novel of the writer, is closely connected with a small island located in Koggala.
The small resort of Koggala is located on the shores of the Indian Ocean, very close to the large fort city of Galle (less than 20 km). The distance to the unofficial capital of Sri Lanka, Colombo, is already more significant – 130 km, and to the international airport Bandaranaike-147 km – Directly in Koggala there is an airport that serves flights within Sri Lanka.
As a tourist resort, Koggala has become popular not so long ago, and the infrastructure is not yet very well developed. The range of hotels can not be called wide, mainly these are expensive 5* hotels and several guesthouses. Koggala has a bank and currency exchange, which is important for travelers.
Beach holidays
The beach in Koggala is clean, covered with fine-grained light yellow sand and framed by coconut palms.
The beach line, which has a length of about 3 km, stretches to the neighboring village of Habaraduva. As for its width, it varies throughout the year and depends on the phases of the Moon, that is, on the tides. Swimming and snorkeling here can be a little problematic, although in calm weather there is always a place on the beach where you can safely go into the water.
Since the beach is long and wide enough, and there are not many tourists in Koggala, you can always take beautiful photos here without unnecessary people in the frame.
Since Koggala is not located in the bay, the beginning and end of the season at the resort is accompanied by the appearance of high waves. For professional surfers, this is a plus, and for beginners it is better to go to Koggala in high season.
Entertainment options available in Koggala
Whale Safari
The beach in Kogalla in Sri Lanka is not all that the resort town has to offer tourists. There are all conditions for playing golf and tennis, sailing, windsurfing, diving, and water skiing.
Many centers organize incredibly interesting boat trips on the ocean, during which you can watch whales and dolphins swim. Such excursions are offered by both hotels and local tourist offices. The latter can easily be found along the main street.
Diving
The rich world of coastal waters attracts many of those who are fond of scuba diving. Unique coral reefs, a variety of aquatic life – absolutely all dives are special and unforgettable. There are numerous diving centers located along the beach, but they are open only from October to April. Since the ocean is very rough from May to September, there is often fog along the coast.
Water sports activities
In addition to the diving centers in Koggala, there are also surf spots that offer their services not only to experienced athletes, but also to beginners. The beach that stretches along Ahangama is one of the best places in Sri Lanka for surfing.
Absolutely exotic entertainment is traditional for Sri Lanka pole fishing: fishermen are located on poles installed very close to the shore. Now such fishing is mainly organized only for the purpose of entertaining tourists, and not in order to get food.
Read also: Surfing in Sri Lanka — what place to choose for classes.
Koggala Lake is the main attraction of the resort town
Koggala city is famous for the lake of the same name, which stretches parallel to the coast. Koggala Lake is the largest freshwater body of water in Sri Lanka, offering many opportunities for eco-tourism enthusiasts and water sports enthusiasts.
On the lake, the wind always blows from the ocean, but there are no high waves-such conditions are ideal for those who like to go windsurfing, speed kiting, water skiing. There are many diving centers on the shores of Koggala, so athletes have the opportunity to explore the underwater world of the lake.
Fishing
Here you can go fishing, catamaran and motor boat rides on the lake.
There are several islands on Lake Koggala – looking at the photo of Koggala in Sri Lanka, you can see them. Some of them – rocky, covered with dense thickets of mango trees-are popular only among fans of extreme recreation and wildlife. On some islands of the lake there are exotic Buddhist huts, which require prior permission to visit.
Islands
The most popular and most frequently visited are the 3 islands, whose names can tell you what to see on them. The first island is Temple Island, the second is Spice Island, and the third is Cinnamon Island.
On the Temple Island stands a Buddhist temple, or rather 2 temples-active and inactive. Tourists are allowed to enter the inactive temple with statues of Buddha installed in it, and the entrance to the structure is guarded by a blind caretaker.
Here, travelers are offered to do a fish massage, the essence of which is as follows: a person sits down and lowers his feet into a “pen” with a huge number of fish, after which food is poured into the water at his feet – the fish begin to swim closer, pinch their legs, beat their tails. This is massage.
The next island is a Spice Garden, where locals grow spices for sale. It should be noted that the government supports the maintenance of the garden and the production of herbal medicines. During the tour, tourists can buy their favorite spices and herbs, which are intended for making wines and medicines.
The last one is the island of Cinnamon, which has been home to 2 families engaged in the cultivation of cinnamon plantations for several centuries. These plantations are the largest in Sri Lanka. During the tour, local residents tell and show how to prepare cinnamon, treat them to cinnamon tea, and also offer to buy cinnamon sticks, ground spice and oil from it.
What else is there in Koggal?
There is another aspect of life in any resort town – shopping. For such an activity, it does not matter at all what the weather will be like in Koggala.
There are many shops in this Sri Lankan resort: there are fruit shops, a Dasa Tea Shop, a unique Ayurvedic goods store Lake Side Spice Garden, a Foodcity supermarket, souvenir shops, market rows.
In a sense, restaurants and cafes can also be considered local attractions. The most famous restaurant, Airplane, is located in a clearing near The Long Beach Hotel and close to the beach. A cafe serving Sri Lankan cuisine is located nearby.
One of the most visited restaurants with good reviews is Restaurant Patty Place, which is characterized by decent cuisine and reasonable prices. In the photo, you can see what is prepared in this institution and how much the dishes cost.
Quite reasonable prices and in the restaurant at the Foodcity supermarket in Habaraduwa, which offers European and local dishes. It makes no sense to call all the establishments Koggaly – you can just take a tuk-tuk ride along the main road of the resort town.
On average, a meal in Koggal will cost$ 12-17 for two people, without alcoholic beverages. Alcohol prices are high throughout Sri Lanka — a glass of beer or wine will cost the same amount as the main course.
Climate conditions in Koggala
The weather in Koggala in Sri Lanka is favorable for holidays in November-April – this is the most favorable time when it is warm and quite dry. And from May to the end of October, almost 95% of all precipitation falls.
The air temperature remains unchanged throughout the year – it is kept in the range of +28-30 ° C. As for the water temperature in the ocean, it is also quite stable and is +26 °C.
Since Koggala (Sri Lanka) is a beach resort town, it is best to come here during the dry season, that is, from November to May. At other times, the weather is not the best for relaxing on the beach and for a variety of beach activities, and swimming in the open bays of the ocean can be dangerous.
How to get to Koggala
Most travelers go to Koggala from the international airport, located near the administrative center of Colombo.
By taxi
The most convenient way to get to Koggala from Bandaranaike Airport in Sri Lanka is to take a taxi. Taxi drivers are not difficult to find, they will find you at the exit of the terminal. The estimated cost of the trip is$70-90. Be sure to specify the price before you get in the car. The journey takes about 2.5 hours.
In addition to local “entrepreneurs” who will offer to get where you need to go, there is also an official taxi service at the airport. The reception is located at the exit of the arrival hall.
By bus
There is no direct connection between the airport and the resort, so you will have to make a transfer. First you need to get to Colombo Pettah Central Bus Station — by bus 187 or taxi. Then you should take one of the buses that go to Matara-Nos. 2 and 32. On the way, they stop at Koggal. They are sent every 40 minutes or 1 hour during the day, and less often at night.
The total travel time is about 6 hours. The cost of travel is about$ 2 per person. Do not count on high comfort in such buses — there are no air conditioners in them, the doors, as a rule, are open. But such a trip can definitely be called exotic and you will be able to experience the flavor of Sri Lanka.
By train
The 3rd way to get from Colombo Airport to Koggala is by train. As in the second case, you must first take the 187 bus or taxi. Colombo Fort Railway Station is a 2 — minute walk from the Central Bus Station. Then you need to buy tickets and take the train to Matara. Check if it stops at Habaraduwa Railway Station.
The total travel time is 4.5-6 hours. The trip will cost $ 2-3.
