Talpe Rockpool beach

Talpe beach tanks are one of most popular beach near Galle. 

This is another beautiful beach in Sri Lanka, the Talpe beach area on the southern coast.  On the main road from Galle to Matara, pass the Talpe Paragon Hotel and head towards Matara you will find this beach.   

According to the villagers the rock pools were cut out of the corals around 50 years ago and was used to soak coconut coir. 

This is almost entirely made of coral reef. These are depth pools ranging from 2 feet to 7 feet across the coral reef.

It is also known as a great place to camp.  Nobody comes here so you can take a shower.  This plase  Surrounded by a coral reef, no waves. 

It is somewhat dangerous due to the spread of se urchins across the coral reef.  The pins of this animal are poisonous. 

This place is most beautiful in the morning, This is because in the evening these are closed due to high tide. Being in these pools during high tide can be dangerous. 

 

Evergreen "Kottawa Reserve"

 The evergreen "Kottawa Reserve" known as Little Sinharaja is located in the Udugama area in the Galle District.  It can be reached by traveling 16 km from Galle towards Akuressa.  A main road from Akuressa to Galle runs through this reserve.

The Kottawa Forest Reserve was the British Empire during the Second World War.  It was designated a national park in the 1930.  Once part of the Sinharaja itself, the forest cover has been fragmented from time to time and is now only 37 acres. 

Entering the Kottawa forest, you will come across a few small footpaths that stretch in different directions for a short distance.  There is one way reserved for those who come to see the wonders of the jungle. Another path runs to a fertile tea plantation. 

Along the way, you can view fresh tea leaves from the lowlands.

The other path here is to the natural water pool.  Many local and foreign tourists come to the Kottawa jungle to bathe in this pool. The pool is always full of very cool and fresh water flowing through the forest. 

Kottawa jungle is a bird paradise. Gray hawks, hawks, gray parrots, all four species of sparrows, Kalukondaya, batagoya, ulama, owl, haban rooster as well as Jungle fowl are no strangers to the Kottawa forest.

The Kottawa jungle is also home to a variety of fish in the small streams that flow from place to place.

Lowland Wet Zone Evergreen is maintained by various orchids, ferns and other weavers.  The beauty of the evergreen Kottawa forest is priceless. 

Sinharaja Rainforest

 Sinharaja, the largest rainforest in Sri Lanka, is spread over 18900 acres and is located in the lowland wet zone. Sinharaja was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.  Bounded by three rivers, Sinharaja is rich in biodiversity. Endemic to Sri Lanka are found in the Sinharaja. 

19 out of 20 endemic bird species in Sri Lanka are found in the Sinharaja Reserve.  Endangered birds include the Sri Lankan Jungle fowl, Wood Pigeon, the Green Bill Cooke, Frogmouth owl, the Sri Lankan White-headed Starling, the Red-faced Malkoha, the Sri Lankan Blue magpie and the Ash Head Bubbler.

Among the endemic amphibian species, 

 Nolarti's frog, Kotagami dwarf frog , small-eared Atikittha, Kelati's dwarf frog, yellow-eared worm frog, curved frog. 

Out of the 16 endemic fish species of Sri Lanka, 03 species can be found in the Sinharaja streams.  Among the endemic fish species, MalPulutta, Gadaya, Galpadiya,Pulli Ahirawa and Kadukara Ahirawa are abundant.  

65 species of butterflies found in Sri Lanka can be seen in the Sinharaja forest.  Of these, the Mahakurulu piya Papilia, the largest butterfly species in Sri Lanka, is found in Sinharaja.   

Large mammals can be seen in the Sinharaja rainforest as in many other forests.  About 40 species of mammals in Sri Lanka have been recorded from Sinharaja.  Of these, 08 out of 12 endemic mammal species have been recorded from Sinharaja.  Among them are Sambar, wild boar, leopard, wild cat and Miminna.  

When you enter Sinharaja from the Deniyaya - Lankagama entrance, you can see several waterfalls. 

1. Malmora Falls

2. Kakuna Falls

3. Pathanella 

You will need a guide to visit these waterfalls and forests.  The guide will take you on a 4-5 hour journey through the jungle. 

When visiting Sinharaja, the heart of Sri Lanka, care must be taken not to harm its biodiversity.

     

Sober Island - Trincomalee

Located in the natural harbor of Trincomalee, Sober Island is a popular tourist destination.  The Island was named as “Sober” in memory of late young British Lieutenant S.Sober.  

Sober Island is located about an hour after leaving the 'pepper jetty' in Trincomalee.  

 The 175 acre island elevating nearly 200 meters from the sea level was called “Isle du Soleit” by French meaning “Island of Sun” which was developed by Sri Lanka Navy as per the two site plans drawn in 1919 and 1922.

  In the past, drunken british were taken and dumped on the island.  So they had to swim alone and come ashore when the intoxication subsided. 

'Sober Island' was first acquired by the French.  By Admiral Jacob Blacket de la Hay in 1672 and by Admiral Saffron in 1782. After the Treaty of Paris in 1784, Britain occupied the Sober island.

 Not only is it a tourist attraction, but there are plenty of ruins of a missing era here.  There are French tombs, World War II gun locations, underground ammunition storage complexes, British artillery and many more symbols.  

The island was once used as a leprosy island and is now used as a resort run by the Sri Lanka Navy. 

Pahanthudawa Falls

Pahanthudawa is located in Belihuloya, Ratnapura District, Sabaragamuwa Province.  If you want to go to Pahanthuda from Belihuloya, you have to go 2 km up the road near Belihuloya restaurant or on the road called Ihala Galagama Laduyaya. 

Pahanthuda is so famous for its topographical features. Starting from Horton Plains, Belihuloya flows from the upper Galagama area through a rock drain.

Belihuloya has been given a wonderful beauty in this area by the rock pits formed by the long flowing stream of water hitting these rocks.

Pahanthudawa Falls is a small waterfall about five meters high, but no one knows the depth of the lamp-shaped pit. This main pool is never suitable for bathing.  Many people have drowned here.  

Recently, several university students also drowned here. According to villagers, even the bodies of some of the dead have not been found.  

 Although bathing in the Pahanthudawa pit is dangerous, many people bathe in the small pits below.   But the beauty here is indescribable.  Pahanthuda is also a great place to take creative photos.  

        

 Although it is one of the most attractive local tourist.  destinations in the world, it is not considered as a tourist destination by foreign tourists. 

Yagirala Forest Reserve

 This tropical rainforest in the lowland wetlands is located in a cave inhabited by ancient Yaksha tribes.  This forest is home to a largest and amazing biodiversity.  A large number of reed bushes, ferns and tall trees can be seen here.  

There are 62 genera and 120 plant species recorded in the Yagirala Reserve.  This forest inherits a very large community of plants such as Hora, Atamba, Venivel, Rasakida, Kitul, Wewel, Paravimal and Diyapara.

  The biodiversity of this forest has been greatly affected by the 'pine cultivation' that has taken place here.  

Many endemic species of Sri Lanka live in this Yagirala Reserve.  Species such as black monkey, Kiriwaula, and wild squirrel are common. There are 27 species of snakes as well as 64 species of birds. 

 Large numbers of fish species such as dankuda pethiya, galpadiya, letitthaya, thalkossa, pethiya and weligowwa are found in streams flowing through the forest.

There are 7 species of endemic snakes and 19 species of endemic lizards. 

This forest is a great place for fun as well as education. Hiking, bird watching and biological research are some of the activities that can be done here.   

Dediyagala Forest, Weligalpotta Forest, This forest is located in the Senasana Yagirala forest so it adds a wonderful serene serenity. 

Doowili falls

 Doowili Falls is a beautiful waterfall on the Sinharaja border.  On the way to Pelawatta - Kalutara, you have to turn to Neluwa Doowili Falls 3km before Neluwa.  If you are going from Matara you can go to Duvili Ella on the Neluwa - Lankagama road.  

This waterfall is also known as Kosmulla Falls, Doowilli Falls and Dooli Falls.  When you go there you can imagine why it is called "Doowili Falls".  The height of the waterfall is 25 meters. The source of the dust falls is the Hariawa stream. 

You can also get a free fish therapy here. Together they support an endemic fish called Galpadiya (Lanka stone sucker). There you can spend thousands of rupees on the water and experience fish therapy.   

There is a wet zone forest system in the forest around this waterfall where you can see the biodiversity of Sinharaja.   

There is a lot to see in the upper reaches of this waterfall as well. Debalena an Aliya pitagana gala and a Siddhara cave in this area. 

There are two natural water pools at the bottom of this waterfall.  The maximum depth of one of the two is 7 feet.  The other pool has a maximum depth of 4.5 feet. Even small children can bathe there without fear.  

It is said that one can enter Sinharaja and even go to Ratnapura by walking up the waterfall.