Dickwella Bay Beach was one of my favourite little finds on Sri Lanka’s south coast. It’s small, quiet and tucked away down a little lane with that slightly hidden feeling I always love.
I visited in October, when the bay still felt beautifully low-key. Trees tumbled towards the ocean, the sand was soft and golden, and the whole beach had an easy, unfussy charm.
There isn’t a huge amount to do here, but if you’re looking for a relaxed place to swim, spot turtles, take beautiful photos, and have a really good seafood lunch, Dickwella Bay Beach is absolutely worth a stop.
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Dickwella Bay Beach at a Glance
Dickwella Bay Beach is best for a slow, relaxed beach stop.
It’s an easy stop rather than a full beach day packed with activities. It’s small, scenic and still a little rough around the edges, but that’s exactly what made it feel special to me.
- Best for: A relaxed swim, turtle spotting, lunch with a sea view and a quiet beach wander.
- Known for: Turtle Point Batheegama, where you may be able to see wild turtles.
- Vibe: Low-key, offbeat and still developing, especially when I visited in October.
- Facilities: A couple of beach restaurants, toilets, loungers, photo spots and access around the bay.
- Food stop: Coconut Palm Beach Seafood Restaurant & Hotel, where I had an incredible grilled fish lunch.
- Good to know: The bay is quite small, so don’t expect endless activities. Come for a few peaceful hours, lunch, the turtles and the setting.
- Ethical note: If you see turtles, don’t touch, feed, chase or crowd them. Enjoy the moment from a respectful distance and let them swim freely.
🌟 My top pick >> If you want dreamy south coast photos, this cinematic Sri Lanka photoshoot comes with beautiful travel memories from one of the island’s most photogenic coastal spots.
My thoughts
I’d say Dickwella Bay Beach is worth visiting if you enjoy quieter beaches, simple places and those little south coast finds that don’t feel completely polished yet. It’s not a dramatic “must-see or your trip is ruined” kind of place, but it is lovely, and I’d happily go back.
If you’re travelling down from the hill country first, I’ve also written a full guide on how to get from Ella to Ahangama, including bus, taxi and safari transfer options.
🏨 Accommodation // Where To Stay In Ahangama // 8.6+ ratings
Budget-friendly: Mellow Hostel | Mid-Range: Dreamsea | Better: Lighthouse Ahangama
I also stayed at both Mellow Hostel near Kabalana and 7BD Surf House closer to Ahangama’s main strip, so those reviews may help if you’re choosing a base for day trips like Dickwella and Hiriketiya.
Is Dickwella Bay Beach Worth Visiting?
Yes, I think Dickwella Bay Beach is worth visiting, but only if you know what to expect.
This isn’t one of those big, buzzing Sri Lankan beach towns with endless cafés, surf schools, shops and sunset bars.
Instead, it’s a small, quiet bay with a couple of places to eat, a narrow stretch of sand, a few loungers, a swing (for some cute photos), and the chance to see turtles around Turtle Point Batheegama.
And honestly speaking, that’s exactly why I liked it.
When I visited in October, Dickwella Bay Beach still felt beautifully low-key and a little offbeat which gave it a lot of charm.
The beach was narrow but pretty, the water was calm enough for us to snorkel – but keep in mind is it rocky – and the setting felt relaxed in a way that’s becoming harder to find along some parts of Sri Lanka’s south coast.
I’d say Dickwella Bay Beach works best as a small add-on from a south coast base like Ahangama, especially if you’re still deciding whether Ahangama is worth visiting for your trip.
For me, it was a highlight of my beach hopping day; the mix of a peaceful bay, a scenic beach walk and an incredible grilled fish lunch at Coconut Palm Beach Restaurant made it memorable.
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Map of South Coast Attractions
Some places around Dickwella Bay Beach may close temporarily or seasonally, including restaurants and Turtle Point activities. Check the latest Google Maps listings before visiting, especially if you’re coming specifically for lunch or turtle spotting.
My Experience Visiting Dickwella Bay Beach
I visited Dickwella Bay Beach as part of a little south coast beach-hopping day from Ahangama. And after spending the morning at Hiriketiya Beach, we jumped back on the scooter and carried on towards Dickwella.
It’s worth noting that Dickwella Bay Beach and Dickwella Beach aren’t quite the same place, so double-check your map pin before setting off.
The turn-off to the bay was down a narrow little lane, which instantly made it feel more hidden. It felt more like finding a quiet corner tucked behind the main road, which, to be honest, made me like it even more.
When we arrived, the bay felt calm and simple and there were hardly any people around.
Coconut Palm Beach Seafood Restaurant & Hotel was being renovated at the time, so there was definitely a sense that the area was still developing, but it hadn’t lost its natural charm.
Trees leaned towards the ocean, the sand was soft, and the beach itself was pretty enough for a slow wander.
Before we sat down for lunch, we walked along the bay, taking gorgeous photos and stopping on the swing for a mini photoshoot.
At the other end of the bay, you can also walk around towards Dickwella Resort and Spa, so although the beach is small, it’s still nice for a gentle stroll rather than just sitting in one spot.
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Lunch at Coconut Palm Beach Restaurant
After wandering along the bay, we came back to the west tip and stopped for lunch at Coconut Palm Beach Seafood Restaurant & Hotel, one of the few places to eat directly on Dickwella Bay Beach.
And when I say this was one of the best parts of the whole day, I mean it. I ordered grilled fish, and it was genuinely one of the best grilled fish meals I had in Sri Lanka!
The restaurant itself was laidback and simple rather than fancy, with tables close to the water and views straight across the bay.
It had that easy beach café feeling where you can sit with sandy feet, watch people snorkelling near Turtle Point and very quickly lose track of time.
When I visited, parts of the accommodation out back were being renovated, but the setting was still lovely and it didn’t disrupt the cafe.
It wasn’t the cheapest lunch of my trip, but it was absolutely worth it. Fresh, flavourful, beautifully cooked and served with that unbeatable sea-view backdrop.
I’d recommend Coconut Palm Beach Restaurant if you’re visiting Dickwella Bay Beach or nearby, and want somewhere relaxed to base yourself for a couple of hours.
Come for lunch, stay for the view, then wander back down to the beach for a swim or a slow walk afterwards.
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Seeing Turtles at Dickwella Bay Beach: A Quick Ethical Note
One of the reasons people visit Dickwella Bay Beach is because of Turtle Point Batheegama, where turtles are often seen in the water close to shore.
When I visited, there were people snorkelling just in front of Coconut Palm Beach Restaurant, and the whole bay had that easy feel that makes you want to grab a mask and float around for a while – you can rent a snorkel for 500 LKR.
That said, we didn’t actually see any turtles while we were there, so I’d treat turtle sightings as a lovely bonus rather than something guaranteed – this is nature, after all.
If you’re lucky enough to see turtles at Dickwella Bay Beach, please keep your distance and don’t touch, chase, crowd or feed them. Turtle spots can quickly become stressful for the animals when too many people get too close for photos.
Sri Lanka has several turtle conservation efforts along the western and southern coast, including the Sri Lanka Coast Guard’s Turtle Conservation Project, so it’s worth being extra mindful around turtle spots like Turtle Point Batheegama
Also, be careful getting into the water here. We noticed quite a few sea urchins basically as soon as we stepped in, so I’d recommend going slowly, watching where you put your feet and wearing water shoes if you have them.
Although Turtle Point Batheegama is known for turtle sightings and snorkelling, it may not operate year-round. Check current opening times before visiting.
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What Else Is There To Do at Dickwella Bay Beach?
Dickwella Bay Beach isn’t packed with activities, and I wouldn’t arrive expecting a long list of things to tick off. It’s more of a slow little beach stop: swim, snorkel if the conditions are good, eat something lovely, wander the bay and enjoy the view.
There are a few loungers around the beachfront restaurants, so you can easily settle in for a couple of hours with a drink or lunch.
The beach itself is a lovely place for a gentle walk, especially with the trees leaning towards the water and the curve of the bay opening out in front of you.
👉BOOK: Want to turn your beach-hopping day into something a little more adventurous? This Mirissa mangrove kayaking tour is a gentle nature-based add-on.
For meals, aside from Coconut Palm Beach Restaurant, there’s also Bree Seafood Restaurant, Turtle Point Batheegama nearby, and at the other end of the bay, you’ll find Dickwella Resort and Spa.
You can walk around the bay to reach the resort side, which gives you a little more of a beach wander if you don’t just want to sit in one spot. Plus, sunset here is said to be amazing, although we didn’t stay for it!
I’ve noticed a dive centre on the map, too. I didn’t visit, but if you’re a diver, this could be a nice addition to the day.
For me, Dickwella Bay Beach works best as a relaxed half-day stop rather than a full-day destination. Pair it with Hiriketiya Beach, Polhena Beach or a south coast scooter ride, and it becomes one of those easy little detours that make the day feel more interesting.
I’d treat it as part of a bigger south coast beach-hopping day from Ahangama, especially if you want to combine Hiriketiya, Dickwella and a slower seafood lunch into one easy day.
🏨 Accommodation // Where To Stay In Hiriketiya // 8.6+ ratings
Best social/budget-ish: Dots Bay House | Mid-range: Salt House | Surf camp-style: The Salty Pelican
How To Get To Dickwella Bay Beach
I visited Dickwella Bay Beach from Ahangama as part of a south coast beach-hopping day, so if you’re using Ahangama as your base, you might also want to read my guide to the best things to do in Ahangama.
It’s mostly one long road along the coast, although you don’t actually see the sea for a lot of the journey, which feels mildly unfair but there we are.
The busiest section was around Matara, so I’d try to avoid peak traffic if you’re driving yourself, it’s possible to take the more coastal route around Matara instead; I did this on the return.
If you’re basing yourself further west, my things I wish I knew before visiting Ahangama guide covers a few useful realities around scooters, the busy main road, beach conditions and green season quirks.
It was slower, but much more peaceful, and personally I’d rather take a slightly longer route than dealing with the dust and stress of Matara.
If you’re coming from Hiriketiya Beach, Dickwella Bay Beach is very close and easy to add on before or after lunch.
Pro tip: Just make sure you’re heading to Dickwella Bay Beach / Turtle Point Batheegama, not Dickwella Beach or Pehembiya Beach, as they’re nearby but not the same exact spot.
Access to the bay itself was down a narrow little lane, which I actually loved. It made the beach feel more tucked away and less obvious, like you were arriving somewhere still a bit under the radar.
A few easy ways to visit:
- By scooter: Best if you’re confident driving in Sri Lanka and want to combine it with Hiriketiya, Polhena or Mirissa.
- By tuk-tuk: Easiest option if you’re staying nearby and don’t want to drive.
- By private driver: Good if you’re doing a bigger south coast day trip or travelling with luggage.
- By public transport: Possible along the south coast, but you’ll likely still need a short tuk-tuk for the final stretch.
For a relaxed day, I’d pair Dickwella Bay Beach with Hiriketiya Beach rather than making a special trip only for this bay. Spend the morning in Hiriketiya, head over to Dickwella Bay Beach for lunch, turtles if you’re lucky, a beach walk and a swim.
Before reaching the south coast, I turned my travel day from Ella into a safari transfer through Udawalawe, which was one of my favourite route decisions in Sri Lanka.
End Note: Is Dickwella Bay Beach Worth Visiting?
Dickwella Bay Beach was one of my favourite little finds on Sri Lanka’s south coast, not because it was dramatic or packed with things to do, but because it felt simple, quiet and a little unexpected.
It’s a small bay, and I wouldn’t travel hours out of my way just to visit, but if you’re already exploring Hiriketiya, Dickwella or the south coast by scooter, I think it’s absolutely worth adding to your route.
The narrow lane down to the beach, the soft yellow sand, the trees leaning into the ocean and the laidback lunch spot all gave it that slightly offbeat charm I love.
For me, the highlight was lunch at Coconut Palm Beach Restaurant, where I had one of the best grilled fish meals of my Sri Lanka trip, followed by a slow walk along the bay and a few easy beach photos.
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FAQs About Dickwella Bay Beach
Is Dickwella Bay Beach worth visiting?
Yes, I think Dickwella Bay Beach is worth visiting if you’re already exploring Sri Lanka’s south coast, especially around Hiriketiya, Dickwella or Matara. It’s small and there isn’t loads to do, but it has a lovely low-key feel, a pretty bay, beach loungers, a swing, turtle-spotting potential and a great seafood lunch spot.
Can you see turtles at Dickwella Bay Beach?
Dickwella Bay Beach is known for turtles around Turtle Point Batheegama, but sightings aren’t guaranteed. I didn’t see turtles when I visited, although there were people snorkelling in the water nearby. If you do see them, keep your distance, don’t touch or feed them, and let them swim freely.
Are there sea urchins at Dickwella Bay Beach?
Yes, there were quite a few sea urchins in the water when I visited, basically as soon as we got in. I’d recommend walking in slowly, watching where you step and wearing water shoes if you have them. It’s still a nice beach, but this is definitely worth knowing before you rush into the sea.
Where should you eat at Dickwella Bay Beach?
I’d recommend Coconut Palm Beach Seafood Restaurant & Hotel. It was a little pricey compared to some other casual beach lunches in Sri Lanka, but the grilled fish I had there was incredible and easily one of the best meals of my trip. The setting is relaxed, simple and right by the water, which makes it a lovely place to base yourself for a couple of hours.
How long do you need at Dickwella Bay Beach?
A couple of hours is enough for Dickwella Bay Beach. It works best as a relaxed half-day stop rather than a full-day destination. I’d pair it with Hiriketiya Beach, Polhena Beach or a south coast scooter ride, then come here for lunch, a beach walk, photos and a swim if the conditions are good.
Is Dickwella Bay Beach the same as Dickwella Beach?
No, and this is worth checking before you set off. Dickwella Bay Beach is the smaller bay around Turtle Point Batheegama, while Dickwella Beach / Pehembiya Beach is nearby but not quite the same spot. Make sure your map pin is taking you to the bay if you’re hoping to visit the turtle point area.
