Sri Lanka

Ahangama, Sri Lanka: Where to Stay, Eat & Surf

words: Sophie Alexander-Osman
photography: Sophie Alexander-Osman
published: December 15, 2025

Ahangama sits on Sri Lanka’s south coast between Galle and Mirissa, a low key coastal town that has grown into one of the country’s most talked about surf destinations. What was once a stretch of railway tracks, roadside cafés and fishermen on stilts is now a compact hub of boutique hotels, design led cafés and consistent reef breaks. Ahangama feels purposeful rather than polished. Days revolve around the ocean, coffee stops and slow evenings, with enough places to eat and stay that it works for longer trips without losing its local rhythm. You come here for surf first, but you stay for the ease of it all, beaches within walking distance, creative spaces, and a town that still functions as a working Sri Lankan community.

When to Go & How to Get There

The best time to visit Ahangama is between November and April, when the south coast is in season and the sea is at its most reliable. This period brings cleaner swell, lighter winds and dry days that suit both beginners and experienced surfers. May to October sees heavier rain and rougher seas, though prices drop and the town quietens considerably. Getting to Ahangama is straightforward. From Colombo, the drive takes around two and a half hours via the Southern Expressway, or just over three hours along the coastal road. Trains run regularly from Colombo Fort to Ahangama station and offer one of the most scenic journeys on the island, passing beaches, lagoons and small towns before pulling directly into the centre of Ahangama.

WHERE TO STAY

The Find

Pretty in pink. The Find Hotel, established in 2025 by UK-born Myles Pritchard and Sri Lankan Tumal de Silva, is a boutique retreat that reflects the island they both cherish. Located along Sri Lanka’s southern coastline, it offers an approach that favours authenticity over polish, with organic lines, raw textures and rooms that open to the rhythm of the sea. With only a small number of rooms, the hotel prioritises personal service, welcoming each guest as if it’s the most important day of their stay. Days can be shaped around ocean swims, yoga, ice baths, surf sessions or slow breakfasts, while the spaces themselves evolve with the seasons and stories of those who pass through. Every stay is unique, designed to connect visitors with Sri Lanka’s wild, generous spirit in a way that feels alive, intimate and effortless.

PALM Hotel

PALM Hotel, opened in 2019 by Miriam and Laurie, is a bold concept retreat on Sri Lanka’s southern coast that merges modern sustainable architecture with the relaxed boho spirit of the region. Set across a four-acre former coconut plantation, the property features six A-Frame Cabanas, two Deluxe Suites on stilts among the treetops, and a four-bedroom villa, the PALM Haus. Interiors combine floor-to-ceiling glass, cool concrete, low linen-strewn beds and bespoke cane furniture, with private patios, balconies and open-air showers that bring guests closer to nature. The hotel offers an all-day restaurant and bar, a 14-metre pool set amidst lush greenery, a gym, a concept store, and surf experiences in partnership with Ticket to Ride. Guests can relax on site, explore nearby beaches, take day trips to Galle Fort or Udawalawe and Yala National Parks, or enjoy local cuisine in Ahangama. The design spreads buildings across the site to create private, serene spaces while maintaining a central hub for socialising, offering a modern, immersive take on Sri Lanka’s coastal lifestyle.

WHERE TO EAT

CAC.TUS

Cactus offers all-day brunch and evening cocktails by the beach, sitting right on the sand with direct ocean views. Open daily from 7:30am to 6pm, it is one of Ahangama’s most talked-about café spots. The menu focuses on fresh, crowd-pleasing breakfast and lunch dishes, from fluffy berry pancakes and avocado toast to cheesy breakfast bagels, acai and smoothie bowls. Strong coffee, fresh juices and detox drinks complement the food, while rhubarb French toast and passion fruit cheesecake stand out for their quality. The open-air seating, with wicker lights and tatami cushions, makes it ideal for sunrise coffee or a leisurely lunch by the sea. Gluten-free and vegan options are available, and service is attentive but relaxed. The restaurant fills quickly, particularly at sunset, when the ocean backdrop and light breezes make it a favourite for longer visits.

The Find

The Find Restaurant at The Find Hotel offers bar and poolside dining from noon until 7pm, with cocktails available until 8pm. Chef Menchy’s menu blends international comfort food with Sri Lankan influences, featuring dishes like Fish Carpaccio, Gambas Menchy’s spice, Mahi Mahi fillet, choripan and tuna melt, alongside lighter options such as the Found Green Salad and twice-fried plantain chips. Creative cocktails include Coconut & Curry, Samahan Sip and Banana Old Fashioned, with classics like Pineapple Jalapeño Margarita and Coffee Negroni. Breakfast is fresh and locally sourced, from tropical fruit plates, Bircher muesli and chia pudding to savoury mushrooms on sourdough, olive focaccia, omelettes and banana‑coconut pancakes, making it a versatile spot for both early mornings and relaxed afternoons.

Ceylon Sliders

Ceylon Sliders is a small café with a big reputation, serving surfers, travellers and locals from morning until 9pm. Located on Matara Road in Ahangama, it offers fresh, locally sourced ingredients with a menu blending Western, Sri Lankan, Middle Eastern and Asian influences. Breakfast includes avocado toast, vegan chickpea scramble and salmon & feta scramble, while lunch features burgers, falafel bowls, vegan rainbow bowls and corn fritters. Specialty coffee, smoothies, fresh juices and cocktails are available all day. The café focuses on natural ingredients and sustainable sourcing, buying daily from farmers and fish markets. Its open, casual setting and rooftop bar overlooking the bay make it a social hub, perfect for relaxed meals, coffee breaks or evening drinks as the sun sets.

BEACHES

Kabalana Beach

Kabalana Beach is the main surf spot in Ahangama and one of the most consistent on the south coast. The beach offers a mix of reef and beach breaks, making it suitable for different levels depending on conditions. The main break, often referred to as The Rock, works best on a mid to high tide and produces powerful waves that suit experienced surfers. Along the beach, there are mellower sections where beginners can practise, particularly during smaller swells. Surf schools line the road opposite the beach, offering board hire, lessons and guiding, and it is easy to arrange sessions for all levels. Early mornings are the calmest and least crowded, with cleaner waves and lighter winds, while afternoons are busier and better suited to lessons and casual surf sessions.

Secret Beach

Secret Beach in Ahangama is a quiet, unspoiled stretch of sand perfect for those seeking a more authentic coastal experience. The easiest way to reach it is by tuk tuk, which will drop you at the start of a sandy path just a minute’s walk from the main road. The beach remains public and undeveloped, with no sunbeds or facilities, offering a peaceful atmosphere and unobstructed views of the coastline. It is one of the best spots to watch local fishermen perched on their traditional stilts, casting lines into the shallow waters—a quintessential scene of Sri Lanka’s south coast that feels timeless. Whether you come to stroll, photograph, or simply sit and watch the ocean, Secret Beach provides a serene alternative to the busier nearby beaches.