Mawella Beach Escape

Guests can paddle stable kayaks across Mawella Lagoon, which sits right next to the property. The lagoon has gentle water perfect for families and first-time kayakers. During trips, paddlers often see fruit bats flying at sunset, large monitor lizards resting near the banks, and birds like kingfishers hunting for fish.

Local fishing trips take guests offshore to catch species like Mahi Mahi, Red Snapper, Trevally, and Seer fish. The hotel provides all the equipment needed for different fishing styles. Guests can also walk to the nearby fishing village to watch boats come in each morning and talk with fishermen working on their nets.

The hotel arranges snorkeling trips to reefs located just in front of the beach. Staff can book boats and guides who know the best spots to see colorful fish and coral. For those with diving certification, Ruhunu Dive Center operates nearby and offers trips to underwater caves, rock formations, and shipwrecks. Travelers who enjoy reef diving might also like our Koh Kood Island Paradise in Thailand, where Soneva Kiri runs its own snorkeling trips and night dives.

Hiriketiya Bay is about 15 minutes away by car and has several good surf spots. The main point offers the best waves, and surf instructors are available for lessons. Back at Halcyon Mawella, guests can book private yoga sessions with a teacher or schedule massage appointments at the front desk.

Rekawa Beach attracts five different types of sea turtles during nesting season, including the large leatherback turtle. These endangered animals come onto the sand at night to lay their eggs, then return to the ocean. Whale-watching boats leave from nearby and have very high success rates for seeing Blue whales, the largest animals on Earth, along with Sperm whales and dolphins.

Mulkirigala is an ancient temple built on top of a tall rock formation about 200 meters high. The temple dates back over 2,000 years to the 3rd century BC. Visitors climb stone steps to reach different levels where caves hold old paintings and carved figures. At the highest point, there is a sacred tree and wide views of the surrounding countryside.