Top Things to do in Southern Province
The 8 Best Things to Do in Southern Province, Sri Lanka
Discover the best top things to do in Southern Province, Sri Lanka including Nandana Tea Factory, Community Tsunami Museum, Sea Turtle Hatchery Centre Mahamodara, Bundala National Park, Handunugoda Tea Estate, Bentota Beach, Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications, Martin Wickramasinghe Folk Museum Complex.
Restaurants in Southern Province
1. Nandana Tea Factory
Overall Ratings
5 based on 94 reviews
Reviewed By family_fareX3
A little under 20 km from Matara (and a bit over half an hour by tuktuk) is the Nandana Tea Factory run by the Wanigasekara family.
Its a great visit with a leisurely and informative walk thru the Gardens with Gunasome, the third generation owner. You won't experience a more informative or entertaining botany lesson than this with many herbs and other medicinal plants explained (and occasionally tasted)
This is also a really interesting contrast to the big tea factories as Nandana is a small producer that services around 900 small local farmers.
There is then a tour of the tea factory followed by tastings.
You can choose to buy tea at the end (and we did) but there was no pressure to do so. There is also a small but nice selection of cakes and nibbles to purchase.
2. Community Tsunami Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 441 reviews
Community Tsunami Museum is aimed educating communities on Tsunami and preserve the memories of 2004 Tsunami. This museum is the continuation of the efforts of Third Wave Volunteers lead by Dr. Alison Thompson (author of The Third Wave - A volunteer Story and the director of Film Third Wave). This museum will take you a touching journey through science and history of 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami.
3. Sea Turtle Hatchery Centre Mahamodara
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 326 reviews
Welcome to Sea Turtle Hatchery - Mahamodara. We rescue turtles who are in danger of loosing their lives to the fishing industry whether they are caught in nets or hunted for meat. We currently have 40 turtles, including 4 types of turtle. All are welcome to come and visit to see and learn about Tara turtles here in Sri Lanka.
Reviewed By JNK65 - Hutton Rudby, United Kingdom
Well worth stopping off. Only small as is the entry fee of 500l. A guide explains about the different types of turtles and shows various ones that have been rescued by fishermen. They also hatch eggs and release young turtles into the see thus helping their survival. Only spent about 20 minutes but well worth the time
4. Bundala National Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 368 reviews
Bundala National Park is an internationally important wintering ground for migratory water birds in Sri Lanka. Bundala harbors 197 species of birds, the highlight being the greater flamingo, which migrate in large flocks.[1] Bundala was designated a wildlife sanctuary in 1969 and redesignated to a national park on 4 January 1993.[2]also you can see crocadiles and elephants & forest birds
Reviewed By Shade16 - Colombo
Went to Tissa on business and on the was back visited the park. It was past 2 pm and not an ideal time for bird watching. However we were blessed to see many species such as storks, thick knees, snake birds, purple herons, bird eaters, parrots etc. It was a fun and fascinating experience. We even saw a lone elephant, few crocs, lots of monkeys and peacocks. It was a rough ride in some places but I thoroughly enjoyed it. We had a short stop on a cliff overlooking the sea and the view was gorgeous. We ended by going around the salt lake.
5. Handunugoda Tea Estate
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 401 reviews
Reviewed By Patty W - Ogden, Utah
I had no idea there were so many different types of tea. The factory was very interesting. It was quite educational to see how they process the tea. They have a little store where you can taste all the teas and buy the ones you like. It was a very beautiful tea plantation. I also liked seeing the rubber trees and feel the sap.
6. Bentota Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By fsillery - Birmingham, United Kingdom
A most beautiful beach which seems to go on for miles. After going into the sea in the UK and the water being cold it is refreshing just to walk in and the water is warm.I will miss this outstanding beach.
7. Old Town of Galle and its Fortifications
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By carlislechris327 - Carlisle, United Kingdom
If you are visiting Galle by train please don't fall for the scam involving a so called "Government Owned" Tuk Tuk tour of Galle. We were approached immediately after arriving at the train station at 11:30 am by a seemingly very friendly and helpful guy who said he worked at the station who told us that the fort at Galle wasn't open until 2pm (a complete lie) and would we like a tuk tuk tour of the Galle area - and it would be much cheaper in an official run tuk tuk with a meter. Stupidly we agreed and after a sham of the tuk tuk driver taking an opening meter Reading off we went on a "tour" of Galle, which included a temple, an attempt to get us to visit a spice garden, the Turtle sanctuary and the stick fishermen. On returning to the fort at Galle the driver simply made a figure up and tried to charge way over the odds. We argued like hell and got the price down to around $35 but felt completely tricked - so don't be fooled into doing this. The driver was actually a nice guy but it did spoil our day. So never get into a Tuk Tuk without agreeing the price first
8. Martin Wickramasinghe Folk Museum Complex
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 143 reviews
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