This exists because of the monsoons. Between May and September the south and west coasts are wet and the sea is closed, while the east is dry, calm and almost empty. Almost nobody plans around this and it is the single most useful thing we know.
Same culture, same hill country, different beach, considerably better weather than the guidebooks lead you to expect.
Duration
12 days
Best months
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Pace
Balanced
Regions
3
A short transfer and an early night.
Dambulla cave temples late in the afternoon.
Early climb, then the pool.
Ruins by bicycle, then the elephant gathering in the afternoon. August is the peak.
Spice gardens, then the temple at dusk.
The full run from Kandy, reserved seats.
Little Adam Peak, a tea estate, and nothing else.
Down through Wellawaya into the dry east.
Surf, or a lagoon safari looking for elephants and crocodiles.
Free.
Also free.
A long run back across the island, or an internal flight if you would rather.
Jetwing Lagoon
Close to the airport.
Water Garden
Villas with the rock from the pool.
Theva Residency
Above the town.
98 Acres Resort
On a working tea estate.
Kottukal Beach House
Small, on the sand, and about as far from a resort as you can get.
Included
Not included
Payment schedule
Twenty per cent deposit to confirm. Balance due sixty days before arrival. Card or bank transfer, in GBP or USD.
Cancellation
Free up to sixty days out. Fifty per cent between sixty and thirty days. Non refundable inside thirty days, though we will move your dates once at no charge.
Yes. The southwest monsoon does not reach it. It is the driest, calmest stretch of coast on the island between May and September.
No, though the surf is the reason it is known. Outside the point break the swimming is fine and the lagoon safaris are excellent.
From
Based on two people sharing, comfort tier. Excludes international flights.
Dinesha Perera
Senior travel specialist, 9 years
We reply within one working day. Sri Lanka is GMT+5:30, so we work UK afternoons.