What's the best way to see Polhena Beach?

According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Polhena Beach: Udawalawe National Park Safari Tour - Private & Customize Tour (From $95.00) Kanneliya Rain Forest Tour (From $80.00) Sinharaja Rain forest tours (From $95.00) Ella Full Day Tour (From $200.00) Udawalawe Safari & Yala Safari - 01 Day, All Included (From $300.00)

What hotels are near Polhena Beach?

Hotels near Polhena Beach: (0.01 mi) Sayuri Beach Hotel (0.02 mi) Himawari Beach Villa (0.02 mi) Onel Bay House (0.02 mi) Emerald Bay Inn (0.02 mi) Liyo Restaurant View all hotels near Polhena Beach on Tripadvisor

What restaurants are near Polhena Beach?

Restaurants near Polhena Beach: (0.16 mi) Dragon`s Dream (0.17 mi) Colette (0.17 mi) Cuture Resort Sea Food Kitchen (0.20 mi) Reef Edge Sea Food Restaurant (0.54 mi) BOB SL Restaurant Madiha View all restaurants near Polhena Beach on Tripadvisor

What attractions are near Polhena Beach?

Attractions near Polhena Beach: (0.64 mi) Gihan Tours Sri Lanka (0.53 mi) Polhena Diving Center (0.28 mi) Awantha Scooter renters (0.36 mi) VYANNI (3.50 mi) Sport Relaxation Massages - Mirissa View all attractions near Polhena Beach on Tripadvisor

Polhena Beach - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Name: Polhena Beach
Address: Sri Lanka
Rating: 4.0

#1 of 25 things to do in Matara

Beaches

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What people are saying

“Turtle snorkelling 🐢”

Sep 2023

We saw 4-5 turtles in total plus some tropical fish and coral.

By Es K

“beautiful snorkling”

Aug 2022

Also we swam to the coral reef and saw many colorfull fish and living coral reef.

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Tours & experiences

Explore different ways to experience this place.

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Top ways to experience Polhena Beach and nearby attractions

Sinharaja Rain forest tours
27
Recommended
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
Adventure Tours
from
$95.00
per adult (price varies by group size)
Kanneliya Rain Forest Tour
7
Bus Tours
from
$80.00
per adult (price varies by group size)
Udawalawe National Park Safari Tour - Private & Customize Tour
35
Recommended
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
Bus Tours
from
$95.00
per adult (price varies by group size)
Ella Full Day Tour
1
Bus Tours
from
$200.00
per adult (price varies by group size)
Snorkeling Turtles in Mirissa
57
Recommended
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
On the Water
from
$20.00
per adult
Sinharaja Rainforest & Udawalawe Safari - 2 Days, All Inclusive
1
Bus Tours
from
$340.00
per adult (price varies by group size)
Udawalawe Safari & Yala Safari - 01 Day, All Included
1
Bus Tours
from
$300.00
per adult (price varies by group size)
Snorkeling with Whales in Mirissa
21
Recommended
95% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
Scuba Diving
from
$348.72
per adult
Whales and Dolphins Watching-Luxury Super Grade Cruiser(Hotel Pick up offered)
908
Recommended
97% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
On the Water
from
$65.00
per adult
Whale Watching Mirissa with (WWC)
14
Recommended
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
On the Water
from
$60.00
per adult
Yala National Park by Ajith Safari
96
Recommended
98% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
4WD Tours
from
$73.00
per group (up to 6)
Cook with Wasantha
96
Recommended
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
Food & Drink
from
$39.00
per adult
Udawalawe Safari Day Trip from Galle/Unawatuna/Ahangama/Weligama
12
Recommended
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
Bus Tours
from
$105.00
per adult (price varies by group size)
Snorkeling with Turtles in Mirissa
2
On the Water
from
$30.00
per adult
Galle Fort cooking class
15
Recommended
100% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
Food & Drink
from
$37.00
per adult

The area

Best nearby

Restaurants

65 within 3 miles

BOB SL Restaurant Madiha

131

0.5 mi$ • Asian • Sri Lankan • Vegan Options

Reef Edge Sea Food Restaurant

81

0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Seafood • Asian • Sri Lankan

0.6 mi$$ - $$$ • Bar • Seafood • Asian

Sea View Food Court

5

0.3 miCafe • Fast Food • Asian • Diner

Meraki Madiha

27

0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Cafe • International • British

Cuture Resort Sea Food Kitchen

1

0.2 mi$$$$ • Chinese • International • Asian

0.5 mi$ • Italian • French • Mediterranean

The Doctor's House

203

0.7 mi$$ - $$$ • Bar • Pizza • Vegetarian Friendly

See all

Attractions

15 within 6 miles

Turtle Point

155

Beaches

Shima Guni Beach Club

4

0.7 miBeach & Pool Clubs

Coconut Tree Hill

133

Points of Interest & Landmarks • Lookouts

1.5 miHistoric Sites • Architectural Buildings

Weherahena Buddhist Temple

142

Religious Sites

Dondra Head Lighthouse

217

Points of Interest & Landmarks • Lighthouses

The Shrine of Our Lady of Matara

27

2.6 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks

Matara Paravi Duwa Temple

96

2.6 miReligious Sites

Tea House

7

2.6 miFactory Outlets

See all

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.

Popular mentions

4.0

325 reviews

Excellent

141

Very good

108

Average

53

Poor

14

Terrible

9

Es K

Rijsbergen, Noord-Brabant, Netherlands12 contributions

beautiful snorkling

Aug 2022

This beach used to have many locals. Now it is quiet for the moment, because local tourist unfortunately dont have the gasoline to visit at the moment.
But the queiet times of covid surely did the nature some good. I had a very very good guided snorkling tour. With Dilib, you can ask about him at Sunil Rest guesthouse.
I was just 3 steps into the sea and all around me where turtles swimming. you could really swim and play with the turtles, feed them. It was amazing to swim with the turtles. They really seemed to enjoy it. They did not swim away.

Also we swam to the coral reef and saw many colorfull fish and living coral reef. It was amazing.
a guided snorkling tour is not expensive at all. You just need a day of clear water.

You can also take your own snorkling gear or rent snorkling gear.
We are no great swimmers, but my child and me already with our own snorkling gear not far in the sea could see many coloured fish. So highly recommended.

also many beaches in Sri Lanka are not safe for swimming for small children. But here there is little current en no waves because the beach is protected by the 4 km long coral reef.
Good place for families and children.

Written August 2, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

cutelady Baluch

Muscat Governorate, Oman1,714 contributions

Polhena Matara Beach

Feb 2020 • Friends

Polhena beach is a large sea pool which has a uniform height up to a large distance from the coast. And due to the coral reef, the tides are blocked. Therefore the water is very calm and relaxing. This is done to protect and secure the tourists who are especially enjoying quality time with their families and friends in Matara. These characteristics make it a perfect place to have a sea bath in Polhena Beach It is relatively more famous among Sri Lankans than the tourists

Written March 5, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

tim

Weligama, Sri Lanka1 contribution

Good for turtle spotting, not the best beach.

Jan 2022 • Couples

This is a great place to see turtles. The water is really shallow and the visibility is poor close to the shore but once you get out further it improves. We went mid morning on a Thursday and it wasn’t busy but it was windy. I think an early start would have been better. We were out for about an hour and saw 4 large turtles who all seemed used to being watched and weren’t startled by us. The beach itself is nothing special and we didn’t hang around after snorkelling.

Written January 7, 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Evarts Photography

Colombo, Sri Lanka781 contributions

Never go on a weekend or holiday

Dec 2020

This place gets very crowded with public during holidays and weekends. Therefore you will not be able to enjoy if you go on those days. Go on a weekday. This is a small strip of very calm beach and you can snorkel nearby. The water is very clean.

Written May 1, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

cazanne48

241 contributions

Swimming with green turtles

Mar 2020 • Couples

Fabulous beach, quieter than Mirissa beach. More local people. For two days running we had the most wonderful experience swimming with green turtles. Most people very respectful of these amazing creatures. You do not have to pay for a tour, just go swimming.

Written March 31, 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Vinu

Colombo, Sri Lanka2 contributions

Stunning beach but not always secluded

Mar 2020

Beautiful beach and great for a morning bath. Note that this is a sea frequented by many locals. If youre looking for a secluded sea swim try and go on a weekday or early morning.

Written February 16, 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Lucien H

Madihe East, Sri Lanka1 contribution

polhena beach Sri Lanka

My name is Sabine V. I live in Sri Lanka for more then three years in the village named Madiha close to polhena .
I read in "tripadviser" that someone accused Nishanta from Coral Beach abusing children and hè was in court for that !
Now I know Nishanta and his family for à long time and it is sad that people dont know what the impact is of such lies on internet for those people ! This man and his family are the honest people i know. Shame on you !!!

Written July 29, 2012

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

maiasocrate33

bordeaux2 contributions

i agree with sabine

Aug 2012 • Friends

we went in polhena beach and meet nishanta and is family this summer. We have a great time an absolutely no problem....It's very dangerous to write such lies in internet. This report as well as this of maria seems to be a fake made by another hotel....

Written August 22, 2012

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Gill_tripping

Cape Town Central, South Africa52 contributions

Snorkeling with turtles

May 2015 • Couples

I read that other travelers have found the beach polluted. I didn't experience that. Maybe because I wasn't there over a weekend. I left on the Saturday morning and saw lots of people arriving at the beach. For me it was an underwater garden visited by turtles. There is a marked out route to swim over all the beauty. But I found that the best place was near the large rocks. Many locals offered to take me on a tour of the diving area, but really this wasn't necessary. Oh and did I mention the turtles. Can't mention them enough :-)

Written June 28, 2015

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

NotFromParis

Melbourne3 contributions

Don't bother!!!

Mar 2016

We snorkel frequently back in Australia / Indonesia. Went to check out Polhena as has been advised that it was the best snorkelling spot close to Mirissa. So disappointing. The visibility is almost zero, the coral is mostly dead, the whole sea floor was covered in dirty-looking silt plus the odd plastic bag. We spent 20 mins in the water before being so grossed out that we left. Also the "beach" (dirty rubbish strewn strip of sand) had a very weird menacing kind of vibe - lots of local guys many of whom were drunk at 10.30am, no women at all. We were advised of frequent daily thefts of bags from the beach by several other travellers. Definitely would not recommend Polhena to anyone.

Written March 8, 2016

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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