27 AWESOME Things To Do In Ahangama, Sri Lanka

Book on a Surf Camp

Ahangama is most famous for its surfing and booking a Surf Camp is one of the most popular things to do in Ahangama.

With both sandy-bottom and rocky reef surfing spots Ahangama can cater for both learners and intermediate surfers. This puts Ahangama in a unique position in comparison to other surfing towns in Sri Lanka such as Weligama and Unawatuna.

So, If you’re wondering “Where can I surf in Ahangama?” Some of the best surf camps in Ahangama include: 

• Dreamsea
• La Point
• Ticket To  Ride
• Shaka Surf Camp

Get some work done 

The digital nomad scene in Sri Lanka is on the rise and Ahangama is a great spot to come if you’re looking to meet fellow digital nomads, and of course, get some work done. There are a few dedicated co-working spaces in Ahangama. 

These are: 

• Focus Hub Co-Work 
• NETS Co-Work
• Nomads Coworking
• Cafe Ceylon 

My personal favourite was Focus Hub Co-Work. This is located in the centre of town and they also do great food and even better coffee!

Pool day at Dreamsea 

Dreamsea is one of the only places in Ahangama that will let you use its swimming pool even if you are not a guest at the hotel. As long as you buy at least a coffee (or other kind of drink), you’ll be able to spend your day here chilling by the pool, reading a book or listening to some tunes. 

Not only that, Dreamsea is located adjacent to Ahangama’s beautiful golden sand beach, so perfect for those who love to alternate between pool dips and sea swims. Oh, and it’s also home to a palm tree swing, so you can get yourself some of those instragrammable shots!

Enjoy a Sunset session at The Lighthouse

Head down to The Lighthouse at the weekend for good tunes, good vibes and a good time. At the weekend The Lighthouse will host a “sunset session” (usually either a Friday or Saturday night) with a BBQ, live DJs and a constant flow of drinks.

This is one of the “places to be” in Ahangama so you’ll probably find that most of the travelling community in Ahangama will end up here to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere and watch the sun go down.

Admire the Stilt Fisherman

The Stilt Fishermen of Sri Lanka are a cultural icon and some of the most photographed people in the country! Stilt Fishing is a traditional style of fishing in Southern Sri Lanka.

Fishermen perch upon a cross-shaped beam attached to a stilt and wait there (sometimes for hours on end) for their catch of the day. Head down to Koggala Beach to watch the fisherman in action.

Head down to Terra Resort

Terra Resort is a newly opened boutique hotel and event space that has some of the coolest events going on in Ahangama. Whether you want to party at the weekend or get involved in some yoga and ice bath sessions then Terra is the place to be.

They even have their own miniature skate park. Head over to their Instagram to keep up to date with their events.

Enjoy Some Boutique Shopping

Ahangama is a haven for boutique shopping. From breezy beachwear and handcrafted jewellery to locally made home decor and sustainable fashion, these stores offer stunning and unique pieces if you want to take a piece of Sri Lanka home with you. What I love most about these stores is that many focus on eco-friendly products that support local craftsmanship and ethical sourcing.

Mukti Studio is a must-visit for conscious shoppers as they offer sustainable fashion and ethically made accessories. For jewellery lovers, Olive Yu Jewellery offers stunning handcrafted pieces and even hosts workshops where you can create your own. The Shop at The Kip focuses on supporting local craftsmen with a selection of home decor, clothes, and organic skincare. If you’re in the mood for stylish resort wear then the store at Meori’s Cafe and Daydream Clothing offers beautiful linen outfits and bohemian designs

Visit Galle Dutch Fort

No trip to Ahangama, or even Sri Lanka in fact would be complete without a visit to Galle Dutch Fort.

Galle Dutch Fort is one of Sri Lanka’s best-preserved colonial towns which was once used as a trading port for spices and other goods. Today, it’s best known for its famous lighthouse, colourful streets, and quite surprisingly, its abundance of gelato stores. 

Getting to Galle from Ahangama is a straightforward journey. Galle is just a 30-minute journey from Ahangama and you can get there super cheaply by public bus, tuk-tuk or taxi.

Make sure to come to Galle to admire the lighthouse, devour some gelato and pick up some seriously cool art from Stick No Bills.

Dance the night away at Trax

On a Friday night, once the sun has set the travelling community in Ahangama will all descend down to Trax for their Friday night party.

Trax is a super cool club that is set in a jungle garden oasis and (as you might have guessed by the name) is located adjacent to one of the train tracks that runs through Ahangama. 

Whether you want to party on the dance floor or just have a few drinks in the garden Trax is the place to be on a Friday.

Trax is best reached via tuk-tuk and all of the local drivers will know where to take you! This is one of the coolest things to do in Ahangama, so if you like a party then don’t miss out!

Party at Doctors House

So, the Doctors’ house is a little bit outside of town to be considered Ahangama (just a little over 30 minutes away) in a town called Madiha. Doctors House is a 200-year-old former Dutch Ayurvedic hospital turned hotel, restaurant and music hotspot.

BUT you’ll find that most travellers who are staying in Ahangama will head down to Doctors’ House on a Wednesday night for their famous live DJ sessions. They also host other events to make sure to check out their website and Instagram to keep up to date with everything that’s going on.

If you’re in the area make sure to give Doctors House a visit.

Spend the day at Kai Beach Club

The newly opened Kai Beach Club is located in Weligama and is just a short 15-minute drive from Ahangama. If you’re after a chill day by the pool listening to some good music and enjoying some cocktails then a trip to Kai is a great option.

Kai is free to enter as long as you order food and drink during your time here. Their food menu is primarily Western so you can enjoy dishes such as burgers, pizza and pasta.

Kai is also located right on the beach, so if you fancy a stroll along the beach and dip in the sea you’re just seconds away from the shore.

Invest In Tailor-Made Swimwear

Located in the neighbouring town of Weligama, you can find Chaminda who owns Apsara Tailors, where you can get tailor-made swimwear and surfsuits.

To get a custom design you’ll need to bring an idea with you such as screenshots from Pinterest or Instagram. Then you can pick a fabric colour or pattern, and if he doesn’t have the one you want, he might be able to source it for you.

After getting measured, you’ll wait for your design, which can take anywhere from 2 days to 2 weeks, depending on how busy he is. Bodysuits cost 14,000 LKR (£36/$45) and bikinis are 8,500 LKR (£22/$29).

Chaminda is incredibly talented and has such a passion for his job. We found out that he makes all the swimwear using a 75-year-old sewing machine that has been passed down from his grandfather. I originally went in for 1 bikini and left with 4!

You can find Chaminda/Apsara tailors in Weligama from November/December to May and between May and October, you’ll find him in Arugam Bay.

Get a tattoo

Now I totally understand that this activity is a niche one, however, if you are in the market for a tattoo then you’re in one of the best areas for it. I highly recommend visiting Tattoo Color U (which, like Doctors House is also located in Madhia).

The owner, Nisal is an extremely talented artist, who I can personally recommend. I came to him with an idea that he totally brought to life and now I have another tattoo that I’m completely in love with.

Book on a cooking class

If you want to immerse yourself further into Sri Lankan culture then booking a cooking class is a great option. The Deevi cooking experience, hosted by Deevi, is located by Kablana Beach.

Here you will be able to whip up local Sri Lankan delicacies such as string hoppers, kottu rotti and coconut sambal. If you’re looking for something a little different in Ahangama, then give this a try!

Explore Unawatuna

Just a 15-minute ride from Ahangama lies the town of Unawatuna. Unawatuna is one of the more touristy towns on Sri Lanka’s south coast (which is why I recommend having Ahangama as your base and visiting here for the day).

In Unawatuna, you’ll find cute brunch spots, a turtle sanctuary and the famous Jungle Beach, which is definitely worth a visit. Also, if you’ve dreamt of having a go on the famous Sri Lankan rope swings then I recommend heading down to Shanti Shanti bar.

If you’re up for a little more action and adventure, Unawatuna is also a great place to go scuba diving.

Book on a yoga retreat

Yoga is one of the best things to do in Ahangama for some relaxation and finding inner peace. There are lots of yoga schools in Ahangama where you can either book 1-off lessons or retreat packages.

Some of the best ones are listed below:

• Soul and Surf
• The Nuga House
• Camp Poe
• Nirbana Retreat

If you’re interested in exploring more yoga retreat options in Ahangama, then you can find more options here.

Day trip to Sinharaja Rainforest

Looking to escape the beach for the day? Why not book a day trip to the Sinharaja Rainforest? Here you’ll get the chance to admire some of Sri Lanka’s unique flora and fauna and swim in waterfalls. You’ll also be able to get up close and personal with cool wildlife like monkeys, snakes and chameleons.

The only downside to Sinharaja is that it is a hotspot for leeches, so if you do plan on visiting make sure you wear clothes that will cover your arms and legs.

Jungle Rave Yin Yang Shack

Head down to Yin Yang shack for some fun in the jungle Unfortunately, the jungle raves aren’t something that is run super regularly, but if you do manage to time your visit with one of these parties you are in for a very good night!

Not a fan of parties? Not to worry! You can visit Yin Yang during the day for a spot of coffee whilst you look out over the river.

Kabalana Beach

Just a short walk or tuk-tuk ride from Central Ahangama lies Kabalana Beach.

This is a slightly bigger beach than Ahangama with more space to sunbathe, so if you fancy a small change of scenery then this is a good place to come! If you are new to surfing, this is a much more beginner-friendly beach to learn on.

You’ll find lots of surf shacks located along Kabalana Beach where you can rent out boards as well as get lessons.

Koggala Lake

One of the most unique things to do in Ahangama is to visit the serene Koggala Lake. You can head here to go on a boat safari. You will get to see some of the local wildlife, as well as take a trip to the famous Cinnamon Island where you can watch the cinnamon being stripped and ground.

Did you know that Sri Lanka is one of the largest cinnamon producers in the world?

Lamana Skatepark

If you want to opt for an alternative to surfing, then why not head down to Lamana Skatepark to give skateboarding a go? If you don’t fancy taking part, going down to observe is also a super fun activity.

Every Thursday and Sunday they have what they call a “Skate Jam” which is essentially a huge party where you can listen to live DJs and watch people practice their best tricks on the skate ramp.

With some of the profits from these parties, they support local street dogs (which is a huge problem in Sri Lanka) and you can check out the work they do here.

Kathaluwa Temple

If you are a bit of a culture vulture then a trip to Kathaluwa Temple will be right up your street! This is right next to Koggala Lake so it could definitely be done on the same trip.

Kathaluwa Temple was first built when the British colonised Sri Lanka back in the 1800’s. The temple is most famous because of the beautiful wood murals that can be found in the state house.

Go on a safari at Udawalawe National Park

Udawalawe National Park is just a 2-hour drive from Ahangama. It is the perfect opportunity to see some of Sri Lanka’s finest wildlife, including elephants, crocodiles, water buffalos, and if you’re super lucky, even leopards!

If you are planning a day trip from Ahangama then you can look into booking this trip. However, if you would prefer to stay in the area for the night then I would recommend getting a taxi to Udawalawe and staying the night at  Lizard Safari Point.

⭐MY TOP PICK TOUR⭐

THIS TOUR AT A GLANCE
⭐STAR RATING: 5/5
💰PRICE: $30
⏰DURATION: 4 HOURS
✅INCLUDES: ROUNDTRIP TRANSPORT & TOUR GUIDE
🧡IDEAL FOR: EVERYONE

BOOK HERE

You can book a Safari tour directly through the hotel for just £40 and also get a 3-bed treehouse for just £15 per night (with a huge breakfast included). This is the option I went for and it was such an incredible experience.

How to get to Ahangama?

Ahangama is easily accessible by private taxi, train and bus. For detailed instructions on the different ways to get to Ahangama, you can check out my comprehensive guide here.

When is the best time to visit Ahangama?

Ahangama encounters its dry season between December and March, making it the ideal time for a visit if you favour hot, sunny days without any rain.

From May to October, Ahangama experiences its rainy season. During this period, you can expect to experience a hot and humid climate, along with frequent torrential downpours. However, in my experience, these downpours are usually only a couple of hours long and then the sun is back out again.

Undoubtedly, the best time to explore Ahangama is during the dry season. After all, it’s a beach town.

When is the best time to surf in Ahangama?

The primary surfing season in Ahangama goes from October to May, aligning nicely with the dry season. For the best swell, you’ll need to visit between December and March.

Where are the best places to stay in Ahangama?

Some of the best places in Ahangama to stay include:

• Soul and Surf Ahangama
• The Nuga House 
• Dreamsea Ahangama 

You can read my guide to the best hotels in Ahangama here.

🛏️Accommodation: When you’re hunting for great deals, make sure to check out different sites like Booking.com and Hotels.com! If you’re on a budget, then make sure to check out Hostelworld.

✈️Flights: Check out the best flight deals with Skyscanner and Trip.com. I never search anywhere else!

🚆Transport: Need to book a bus or train whilst travelling? Check out your options on 12goasia.com, Bookaway.com and thetrainline.com.

🚗Rental Cars: Looking to rent a car for your adventures? Check out prices on Rentalcars.com and Discovercars.com.

🎟️Activities: Check out Get Your Guide and Viator for 100s of activities whilst travelling.

🦋Insurance: Make sure you’re covered against any incidents during your trip. Get affordable and flexible insurance with SafetyWing.

📱Download an eSIM: Avoid roaming fees, and have peace of mind that you have internet access when WiFi isn’t available. Download SIMs from either Airalo or Holafly for your time abroad.