5 Fun Things to do in Ahungalla

Ahungalla is a quiet fishing town located in the south western coast of Sri Lanka. Sheltered by swaying coconut trees and kissed by the azure waters of the Indian Ocean, the coastal town offers a wide range of interesting and exciting things to do during your stay here.

Balapitiya Beach

An untouched beach hidden away from the throngs of tourists, Balapitiya beach is right outside Calamansi Cove Villas, offering guests direct access to their own stretch of paradise. Balapitiya is a quaint fishing village and ideal for those who wish to immerse themselves in the locals’ way of life. However, if you’re keen to relax and spend the day working on your summer tan, then Balapitiya beach is a great stretch of golden sands that’s perfect to spend the day on.

Madu Ganga Lagoon Safari

The murky river waters of the Madu Ganga is a thriving hub of exotic wildlife and tropical flora. Explore the lush mangroves and keep your eyes open for crocodiles, birds, and many other animals that live here. It is Sri Lank’s biggest lagoon with approximately 64 islands, offering you a myriad of things to see and explore, from a deserted shrine on an islet to one that’s inhabited with over 250 families. The lagoon is 5 minutes away from Calamansi Cove Villas, and our fisherman will pick you up from our very own Cove on Balapitiya Beach. In addition, you’ll also be taken on a tour to a cinnamon plantation before being treated to a fish spa.

Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery

Did you know that Sri Lanka’s tropical waters and warm sands attract 5 species of endangered sea turtles, which includes the Olive Ridley, Leatherback, Hawksbill, Loggerhead and Green Turtle. The Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery, a 10-minute short hop in a Tuk Tuk away from Calamansi Cove Villas, aims to protect and conserve the population of sea turtles in the tropical Indian Ocean. You’ll find injured turtles being nursed back to health and a bed of eggs safely buried in the sand away from predators. Spend your day learning about these graceful creatures of the sea and how you can help raise awareness of their current endangered state. On certain evenings, you will be invited to release few days old baby turtles in to the sea and make sure they have a fair chance of survival. A perfect way to spend the day with kids.

Kothduwa Temple

The Kothduwa Purana Raja Maha Viharaya is located in Madu Ganga, Balapitiya. You can access the temple by a boat ride, usually operated by a Buddhist priest himself. Once believed to be the home to the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha, the temple is visited by tourists and pilgrims alike. The tree on the island was said to have been planted as a bud from Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in India. Kothduwa Temple is approximately 10 minutes away from Calamansi Cove Villas.

Lunuganga Estate & Brief Gardens

The Lunuganga Estate was created by Geoffrey Bawa, dubbed as the father of architecture in Sri Lanka and the principal force behind Tropical Modernism. This 15-acre beautifully designed and thought through estate blends tropical wilderness with Italian Renaissance classicism, featuring courtyards, pavilions, statues, ponds, passageways etc. The Brief Garden was created by the architect’s brother, Bevis Bawa and is a 5-acre property smothered by tropical trees and plants and adorned with sculptures. The brothers left their legacies with Doolan de Silva, an esteemed landscaper, who has worked his magic on our gardens at Calamansi Cove Villas. Spend an afternoon with Doolan de Silva and have tea with the family on his magical verandah and he will reveal all the secrets he knows. Lunch in Lunuganga is a must on the terrace overlooking the lagoon and a hundred-year old Frangipani tree which beautifully frames the view.