Nearly four years ago, we moved to Sri Lanka with our four kids and, somewhat randomly, chose Unawatuna as our new home. At the time, we had no idea how well it would work for our family. Now, after years of exploring its beaches, cafés, temples, and surrounding countryside, we have our guide to the best things to do in Unawatuna with kids.
Unawatuna is a brilliant base on Sri Lanka’s south coast. While some of the newer beach towns have become trendier in recent years, Unawatuna feels more established and offers far more than just sand and surf.
Galle Fort is only around 10 to 15 minutes away, while many of the other popular beach towns are within roughly half an hour. Unawatuna also has its own lively beach road lined with cafés, little shops and beachfront restaurants, so there is plenty to do without travelling anywhere.
What we love most, though, is how quickly the scenery changes. Walk or drive just a few minutes inland and the busy beach road gives way to rice paddies, jungle, peaceful temples and traditional workshops. You can spend the morning beside the sea, the afternoon learning about handloom weaving and the evening eating dinner overlooking the paddy fields.
We have lived here long enough to have our regular Friday-night restaurant, our usual Saturday-morning story session and the places we automatically head to when the kids need entertaining. So this is not simply just a list of things to do in Unawatuna. It is our own neighbourhood guide, filled with the places we genuinely visit as a family.
Whether you are travelling with toddlers who are happiest building sandcastles or older children looking for waves, wildlife and good food, there are plenty of family-friendly things to do in Unawatuna.
Alongside the smoothie bowls and international cafés, you can try traditional Sri Lankan rice and curry, hoppers, kottu and fresh seafood at the restaurants along the beach road. You can even join a local cooking class to learn how some of the island’s best-known dishes are prepared.
We recommend spending three to seven nights here if you can. With so much within easy reach, it is an ideal base for exploring southern Sri Lanka without constantly packing up and moving on.
1. Wander Along Unawatuna Beach Road
One of our favourite things to do in Unawatuna requires no itinerary at all. We simply wander along the beach road and see where we end up.
Tuk-tuks buzz past colourful cafés, small boutiques sell handmade clothing and jewellery, and fresh coconuts, fruit juices and homemade gelato are never far away. The road runs alongside the beach, with plenty of relaxed restaurants where you can stop for lunch or sit with a drink while the kids play in the sand.
It is lively and full of character, but still compact enough to explore on foot. When we have no particular plans, an easy wander here almost always turns into an afternoon out.
2. Spend the Day at Unawatuna Beach
Of course, one of the best things to do in Unawatuna with kids is spend time at Unawatuna Beach itself. The gently curving bay is one of the most popular beaches on Sri Lanka’s south coast, and it has been our local family beach for almost four years.
The beach is quite different from many others we have visited in Sri Lanka. The seabed drops away quickly, so you can be up to your chest only a few steps from the shore. There is usually a small beach break, and we tend to spend our time wading in and bobbing over the waves in the clear, refreshing water.
Keep an eye a little farther out too, as we occasionally see turtles swimming just offshore and lifting their heads above the waves. As always, sea conditions change, so check the water carefully and supervise children closely.
One of the easiest things about a beach day here is having so many places to eat within reach. You can order a chilled coconut or lunch at one of the beachfront restaurants without needing to leave the sand.
The best time to visit Sri Lanka depends on the experience you want. The south coast is generally at its driest from December to March. July to September can offer lower accommodation prices and plenty of good weather, although showers are possible. May to June and October to November tend to bring more rain, humidity and rougher seas, so always assess the conditions before swimming with children.
3. Join Saturday Story Time at Wild & The Sage
Wild & The Sage is one of our real weekly rituals. We go almost every Saturday morning for the children’s Story Time session, and it is one of our favourite things to do in Unawatuna with younger kids.
It is part café, part independent bookshop and part community hub, with local and international books, thoughtfully sourced gifts and handmade products. The Saturday story sessions and book swaps give visiting children a chance to slow down, enjoy a familiar activity and meet local families and other travellers.
The café serves colourful breakfasts, smoothie bowls and lunches made with fresh, seasonal Sri Lankan ingredients. It is easy to arrive for story time and stay for brunch afterwards.
We also love that Wild & The Sage stocks our My Sri Lankan Adventure Journal, so you can pick up a keepsake for your little explorer before continuing around the island.
4. Let Little Ones Play at Garden House Café
We have spent countless hours at Garden House Café with our toddlers. We do not visit quite as often with our older children, but for families with little ones, it is one of the most useful places and things to do in Unawatuna.
Hidden among tropical gardens, the café has a large playground built mainly from natural materials. There is a zip line, water play, a treehouse, shaded outdoor areas and indoor space for sudden tropical downpours.
The playground is currently free for children to use when you purchase something from the café. It is one of those rare places where toddlers can properly explore while parents may even manage to finish a drink while it is still warm.
The kitchen focuses on carefully sourced ingredients and fresh local produce, and avoids seed oils. We regularly arrive intending to stay for lunch and end up spending most of the afternoon there.
5. Visit Sooriya Handloom Weaving Mill
If you are looking for cultural things to do near Unawatuna, make time for Sooriya Handloom Weaving Mill, around 4.5 kilometres away. This has been one of our favourite hands-on experiences with the children.
Chandana, the owner, takes visitors through the traditional handloom process, from growing and spinning cotton to dyeing, weaving and creating the finished garments. The fabrics are coloured using natural materials, including jackfruit and mahogany, before being woven by skilled local women using techniques passed through generations.
The team were incredibly welcoming and patient with our kids. It is not a look-but-do-not-touch experience: children are encouraged to have a go at spinning the thread, which ours absolutely loved. Making this activity a must-do for things to do in Unawatuna.
After the workshop, you can browse the modern showroom, where the finished clothing and homewares are displayed. I was incredibly honoured to be invited to cut the ribbon at the opening of the new men’s and boys’ collection, which is a memory I will always treasure.
You can also order pieces made to your measurements. Every purchase supports the craftspeople and helps preserve traditional Sri Lankan handloom weaving, while giving you something genuinely special to take home.
6. Explore Yatagala Rock Temple
Yatagala Raja Maha Viharaya, often called Yatagala Rock Temple, is only around four kilometres inland from Unawatuna. It feels worlds away from the beach road and is a peaceful cultural stop to add to a family day out.
Surrounded by jungle and enormous granite boulders, the historic Buddhist temple has beautiful murals and a large reclining Buddha. It is generally much quieter than the better-known cultural attractions, which gives children time to look around without being swept along in a crowd.
Our younger children are usually just as interested in exploring around the huge rocks and watching for monkeys in the trees as they are in the temple itself. Allow around an hour, remove shoes where required and dress respectfully with shoulders and knees covered.
Stop at Halo After the Temple
We often combine Yatagala Temple with an afternoon at nearby Halo. It is especially good when the kids are tired, the beach feels like too much effort or we simply fancy a slower afternoon.
The children can swim while we have something to eat and enjoy the view across the rice paddies. It is a lovely, peaceful alternative to the busier restaurants in town and one of our dependable family fallbacks.
7. See the Turtles at Dalawella Beach
This stretch of coast is commonly called Wijaya Beach because of the well-known restaurant beside it, but the beach itself is Dalawella Beach. It is just south of Unawatuna and one of our favourite beaches to visit with children.
Dalawella is known for the sea turtles that often swim close to shore, although sightings are never guaranteed. Seeing one glide through the clear water is unforgettable. Please give the turtles plenty of room, never touch or feed them and avoid blocking their path.
The natural rock pool can be calmer than many of the open beaches along this coast, making it popular with families. However, calm-looking water is not automatically safe water, and conditions can change quickly.
When looking towards the sea, the left side is generally the gentler area for swimming. Water can rush out strongly on the right as it leaves the rock pool. Pay attention to the rope, red flag and any local warnings, and keep young children within arm’s reach.
8. Visit the Japanese Peace Pagoda
The Japanese Peace Pagoda sits high above the coast near Jungle Beach and is one of the most striking places to visit in Unawatuna. The brilliant white stupa and elevated setting offer beautiful views over the ocean and surrounding greenery.
There is very little shade around the pagoda itself, and the exposed hilltop becomes extremely hot during the middle of the day. We recommend visiting early in the morning or towards evening, when it is cooler and the light is softer.
As at other Buddhist sites, dress respectfully, remove shoes when required and walk clockwise around the stupa. It is an easy cultural stop to combine with Jungle Beach or a wider trip around the Rumassala area.
9. Wander Around Galle Fort
Galle Fort is where we go when we are bored, have no firm plans and simply want somewhere lovely to wander. After living nearby for almost four years, it is still the one place we return to again and again.
Unawatuna is only around 10 to 15 minutes from the UNESCO World Heritage-listed fort. You can walk around the ramparts, watch the waves below, visit the lighthouse and weave through streets filled with historic buildings, small museums, independent shops, cafés and ice-cream stops.
Read our full guide to Galle Fort with kids for more ideas.
It is beautiful at any time, but late afternoon is particularly lovely, when the heat eases and families gather on the fort walls for sunset. Although we have wandered around independently many times, first-time visitors will get far more from the history with a local guide.
BOOK A GUIDED GALLE FORT TOUR WITH A LOCAL HERE.
If you are visiting at the weekend, check whether the community Run for Coffee meet-up is taking place. It usually meets at the Clock Tower on Sunday at 7:30 am for a 2.2-kilometre or 4.4-kilometre walk or jog around the fort walls, followed by coffee and singing. Confirm the latest details before attending.
10. Have a Jungle Adventure at Leisure Land
One benefit of living somewhere for years is discovering the local places that do not always appear in the usual tourist guides. Leisure Land, a water and adventure park surrounded by jungle, is one of them.
If your children love climbing, swinging, splashing and generally burning off energy, it makes a fun alternative to another day at the beach and is worth adding to your Sri Lanka itinerary.
It is definitely not a polished international theme park. Expect slightly sketchy slides, rustic rope swings and plenty of jungle chaos. Go with realistic expectations and a close eye on younger children, and they will probably have an absolute ball.
11. Cycle Through the Heenatigala Rice Paddies
Drive only a few minutes inland from Unawatuna and the busy coast opens into lush green rice paddies, coconut palms and village lanes. A guided cycling tour through Heenatigala is a lovely way to experience this quieter side of the area.
Rather than navigating unfamiliar roads alone, especially with children, we recommend joining a local tour that can provide suitable bikes and choose an appropriate route. Early morning or late afternoon is best, as the middle of the day can be very hot and humid.
BOOK A HALF DAY HEENATIGALA PADDY-FIELD CYCLING TOUR HERE.
Our Favourite Places to Eat in Unawatuna With Kids
Eating is very much part of our family life here. Unawatuna has relaxed cafés, beachfront tables and healthy options, and nobody is particularly bothered by sandy feet or a tired toddler. These are some of the places we genuinely return to.
Mettha’s Home Cooked Meals
For traditional Sri Lankan food, try Mettha’s Home Cooked Meals, a small family-run restaurant close to Unawatuna Beach. It serves simple, home-cooked rice and curry with a wide choice of vegetable dishes, many of which are naturally vegan.
If you want to learn how to recreate the flavours yourself, there are a few locations in Unawatuna to take a hands-on Sri Lankan cooking class where you prepare traditional dishes and spices before sitting down to eat everything you have made.
Koha Surf Lounge
We go to Koha Surf Lounge for dinner almost every Friday night. The food is consistently good, the staff are lovely and there are plenty of choices for the whole family, especially vegetarians and vegans.
Our regular favourites include the protein power bowls, smash burgers and their vegan take on Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. It is the place we head when we want something fresh and nourishing after perhaps one too many days of rice and roti. The setting is stylish but still relaxed enough for children, which is exactly why it has become our Friday-night regular.
Skinny Tom’s Deli
Skinny Tom’s Deli is only a few steps from the beach and is a great option for brunch. It bakes fresh bread daily, has a very relaxed spacious atmosphere and we particularly love the freshly made pizzas and delicious selection of Patisserie.
There are plenty of vegetarian and vegan choices, good juices and enough space for families to sit comfortably. Later in the day, the space transitions into Tribute by Skinny Tom’s, which offers a smarter dinner option.
Wijaya Beach Restaurant
Wijaya Beach Restaurant is the easy option we keep in reserve for days when the kids want familiar food. Its menu includes plenty of pizzas and pasta alongside Sri Lankan dishes and seafood.
It sits beside Dalawella Beach, so you can eat overlooking the water and may even spot turtles from the dining deck. This is why many visitors informally refer to the surrounding beach as Wijaya Beach, although its geographic name is Dalawella.
Halo
Halo deserves a place in the food section too, although for us it is as much about the setting as the meal. Away from the busy centre of Unawatuna, it overlooks the paddy fields and has a pool the children can enjoy while we settle in for a relaxed afternoon.
We often visit after Yatagala Temple or on days when everyone needs a break from sand and waves. It is particularly useful for families looking for somewhere peaceful to spend a few hours.
Where to Stay in Unawatuna With Kids
Whether you want a beachfront hotel, boutique villa or simple family guesthouse with a pool, there is accommodation in Unawatuna for a wide range of budgets.
Staying within walking distance of the beach road is convenient with younger children, as you can reach restaurants and the sand without arranging transport. However, tuk-tuks are easy to find, and staying a little farther inland can give you more space, quieter nights and beautiful paddy-field views.
If you are using Unawatuna as a base for Galle and the surrounding south coast, check the property’s exact location before booking. Some places use “Unawatuna” quite broadly in their address and may be farther from the main beach than expected.
FIND FAMILY-FRIENDLY PLACES TO STAY IN UNAWATUNA.
Araliya Beach Resort & Spa is a handy choice for families who want to be right by Unawatuna Beach with plenty of facilities on hand. Family and interconnecting rooms are available, and there are several swimming pools, restaurants and lots of space around the resort.
Children have their own pool, kids’ club and play area, while cots are available for younger guests. With the beach just outside and plenty to keep kids entertained at the hotel, it’s an easy base for families exploring Unawatuna and Galle.
TO STAY AT ARALIYA BEACH RESORT & SPA CLICK HERE
FAMILY VILLA ACCOMMODATION
The Well House is a lovely colonial-style villa set in tropical gardens between Galle and Unawatuna. With four bedrooms, a private pool and plenty of outdoor space, it’s a great option for families looking for somewhere peaceful while still being close to the area’s main sights and beaches.
Children of all ages are welcome, with cots available for younger guests. The garden and pool give kids plenty of space to play, while Galle Fort and Unawatuna are both just a short drive away.
STAY AT THE WELL HOUSE GALLE CLICK HERE.
Is Unawatuna Good for Families?
After raising our four children here for nearly four years, our answer is absolutely yes. Unawatuna combines the practical things families need—easy food options, short travel times and plenty of accommodation—with beaches, wildlife, culture and green open spaces.
It can be busy, humid and a little chaotic, and not every attraction is polished. That is also part of what we love about it. Within a single day, our kids can listen to a story in a bookshop, swim in the sea, spot a turtle and eat dinner beside a rice paddy.
If you are searching for things to do in Unawatuna with kids, we hope this local guide helps you experience more than the beach. These are not simply places we visited once for an article; they are part of our own family life and the neighbourhood we have been lucky enough to call home.
For more Sri Lankan family travel tips and guides, read
Best Beaches in Sri Lanka South
5 Unique Places to Visit in Sri Lanka
The Best Foods in Sri Lanka – 25 Dishes You Should Try
