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Jungle Beach Camp In Rumassala
Would you like to spend a day on a pure blue beach, surrounded by a forest of shining green colors? Would you like to be alone on the beach, quench your tired mind, and enjoy the inspiration of the clean wind?Rumassala beach is such a beautiful haven. When the sun goes down, the sea waves dance together with the star patterns that make up the night sky, creating a wonderful beauty. So we are ready to offer you that opportunity. We have the ability to prepare the mouthpiece of your choice at a very low cost. We will create a land of hot tears for you forever.
Jungle Beach is a tucked away cove on the Rumassala headland just west of Unawatuna on Sri Lanka’s southern coast. The bay sits beneath dense coastal forest and opens onto calm blue water protected by a coral reef. The beach is small and intimate which makes it a popular spot for swimmers and snorkelers looking for a quieter alternative to the main Unawatuna shore.
Major sights
Jungle Beach itself is the main draw with its sheltered sand coves and a tiny beachfront cafe. Nearby on Rumassala Hill the white Japanese Peace Pagoda sits above the bay and offers sweeping views of the coastline. From the waterline you can also spot the silhouette of Galle Fort in the distance on clear days.
Scenery
The setting is a contrast between thick green vegetation and warm golden sand. The beach is tucked into a small bay so the sea often feels calm and protected. Offshore there is a reef that shelters the cove and creates pockets of clear water where colorful fish and other marine life congregate. Sunsets from the sand and from trails above the beach are especially scenic.
Activities and tips
Where to stay
Accommodations are focused in nearby Unawatuna and the hills above Rumassala. Small guest houses and boutique hotels line the Unawatuna strip while a few villas and retreats sit on the slopes overlooking Jungle Beach and Rumassala. Many visitors stay in Unawatuna and walk or take a short ride to the cove for the day.
Public transport
Safety considerations
Events and festivals
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1.Peace Pagoda
Rumassala, referred to by colonialists as Buona Vista, is a site rich in legend, history, and natural beauty. This prominent hill near Unawatuna is closely associated with local folklore and the ancient Indian epic, the Rāmāyaṇa. According to the epic, the monkey-warrior Hanumān is believed to have dropped a fragment of the Himālaya here while carrying medicinal herbs, giving rise to the present hill. Even today, the area is noted for its diversity of medicinal plants.
Adding to its mysterious character, Arthur C. Clarke once observed a significant magnetic anomaly in the vicinity, suggesting the possibility of a meteorite impact.
During the colonial era, particularly under Portuguese rule, Rumassala gained a more sinister reputation. It is said that the Portuguese used deceptive light signals from the hill to mislead Arab trading vessels, causing them to wreck upon the surrounding rocky coastline.
The Sama Cetiya (Peace Pagoda)
Perched atop the tranquil slopes of Rumassala, the Sama Cetiya (Peace Pagoda) stands as a symbol of harmony and spirituality. This white stupa was constructed by the Nipponzan Myohoji on February 23, 2004.
It is one of five Peace Pagodas in Sri Lanka, the others being located at Śrī Pāda, Bandarawela, Walapane, and Ampara. Globally, more than 80 such pagodas had been established by the year 2000 across countries, including Japan, India, Nepal, Australia, Italy, and the United States.
Architecturally, the stupa is surrounded by a broad circular walkway. Four statues of the Buddha are positioned at intervals, representing key moments in his life—birth, enlightenment, first sermon, and parinibbāna. The site offers sweeping panoramic views of the ocean, and a shaded path leads from the pagoda down to the beach, lined with mature trees that enhance the serene atmosphere.
Legends Surrounding Rumassala
The origins of Rumassala are deeply embedded in tradition. According to the Rāmāyaṇa, Hanumān was tasked with retrieving life-saving herbs to heal Lakṣmaṇa, who had been gravely wounded in battle against Rāvaṇa. Unable to identify the exact plants, he uprooted an entire section of the Himālaya to carry back. Legend holds that a fragment of this mountain fell at Rumassala, forming the hill.
The nearby village named Unawatuna is believed to derive from the Sinhala phrase “Unna Wētuna,” meaning “it fell here,” further reinforcing this narrative.
The Peace Pagoda Movement
Beyond its mythological associations, the Peace Pagoda represents a global movement promoting unity and non-violence. This initiative was led by Nichidatsu Fujii, a Japanese monk who met Mahatma Gandhi in 1931 and was inspired to dedicate his life to peace.
Following the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Fujii began constructing Peace Pagodas worldwide as symbols of healing and reconciliation.
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Jungle Beach
Jungle Beach in Sri Lanka is the most accessible place for enjoying a day of snorkeling without signing up to go out on a boat. You don't need a guide or to sign up for a tour. Anyone with snorkeling gear can walk out and enjoy life on the reef!
Many travelers who aren't sure how to get to Jungle Beach end up getting sucked in by local "guides" or fast-talking tuk-tuk drivers who take them on a confusing route then demand a big tip afterward.
Don't believe what you hear: you can get yourself to Jungle Beach easily enough for free to enjoy a great day of sunbathing and snorkeling.
What Is the Jungle Beach in Sri Lanka?
Located just northwest of Unawatuna, Jungle Beach is a tiny, semi-hidden bay surrounded by jungle. A coral reef is located just a few meters offshore from the beach.
Although the beach is hardly a "secret" hidden in the jungle, many tourists mistakenly pay extra for snorkeling trips that include a boat ride to Jungle Beach from Unawatuna and other popular beaches in the south.
Snorkeling, sunbathing, and swimming are really the only things to do at Jungle Beach. Don't leave smartphones or other valuables on the beach when you go to the water. Ask some fellow travelers who are taking a break from snorkeling to keep an eye on things while you're in the water. Theft isn't a big problem in Sri Lanka but you should still be vigilant.
A small restaurant shack on the beach serves cold drinks and simple snacks for when you need a break from the water. One of Sri Lanka's enormous king coconuts is exactly what you need to stay hydrated after playing in the sun.
How to Get to Jungle Beach
First and foremost: Ignore anyone on the path who offers to show you the way to Jungle Beach! These unofficial guides are con artists and will take you on an unnecessarily complicated route through the jungle and then ask for money.
Just carrying a snorkel mask through Unawatuna can attract a lot of attention from local opportunists who know you're probably going to Jungle Beach. You'll have to decline lots of offers from tuk-tuk drivers for rides to Jungle Beach. Along with not supporting the scammers, travelers who make the walk themselves increase their chances of spotting local wildlife.
Although temperatures and humidity are suffocating once you wander too far from the coastal breeze, the 30-minute walk to Jungle Beach affords lots of opportunities to see exotic birds, flowers, large butterflies, monitor lizards, monkeys, and other wildlife along the way. Sri Lanka has an astounding amount of flora and fauna. Despite its small size, the island is considered the most biodiverse in all of Asia!
Alternatively, you can rent a scooter in Unawatuna for US $8 – 10. The best place for rentals is at the corner of the beach access road and main road to Galle. Be ready for some aggressive driving on the main road.
Dive shops offer boat rides from Unawatuna to Jungle Beach, however, you'll pay a premium and get an allotted amount of time to snorkel before heading back. You probably won't have time to take breaks and enjoy sunbathing.
Walking to Jungle Beach From Unawatuna
Walk from the beach access road to Yaddehimulla Road, the only other paved road. The intersection of the two beach access roads and Yaddehimulla Road happens near the popular, 24-hour restaurant Hot Rock.
Yaddehimulla Road winds north and west; stay on it until it unofficially turns into Jungle Beach Road.
The walk will continue past a string of boutique guest houses and then grind uphill through a residential area. Be on the lookout for plenty of large jackfruit hanging in the trees, beautiful orchids blooming, and monkeys of all types. Macaques are typically harmless but don't let them grab belongings!
Signs posted along the way — both hand written and official — will guide you all the way to Jungle Beach. You can also follow any signs to the Japanese Peace Pagoda — a large, white structure located just above the beach that is easy to spot. If you see the beaming white structure on the hill, you're going the right direction.
At some point, the paved path will disappear. Pick your way along the small-but-easy jungle path and cross the tiny creek. Don't worry: the path is hardly a serious jungle trek, and you'll probably encounter other people along the way coming and going to Jungle Beach.
Watch for a sign pointing out "Jungle Beach" on the right, then continue down the dirt path to the restaurant and beach. There may be tuk-tuks or transportation options parked on the road nearby; these are an option for the return if you're too tired to walk back to Unawatuna.
Snorkeling at Jungle Beach in Sri Lanka
The reef and snorkeling begin only 30 feet away from the beach, directly in front. You can also snorkel around the rocks on both sides of the bay, but beware of waves pushing you too close to the sharp edges. Under normal conditions, the current isn't an issue. Waves typically aren't sizable at Jungle Beach, but always be mindful of conditions.
The reef at Jungle Beach is pretty well dead, however, you'll still encounter plenty of small marine life. A few snorkelers get lucky enough to see one of the sizable sea turtles that make regular appearances on the beach. Don't interact with them! Many species of sea turtles in the area are endangered.
Along with schools of colorful fish and reef-dwelling creatures, you may also encounter crabs, moray eels, trigger fish, parrot fish, barracudas, and maybe even a turtle. During the rainy season (June - November), runoff may damper visibility for snorkeling at Jungle Beach.
Renting Snorkel Gear
You need to take your own snorkeling gear with you to Jungle Beach. Sometimes you can find gear to rent once there, but don't count on the availability or quality; carry your own with you from Unawatuna.
Snorkel gear can be rented in many shops and minimarts along the road or borrowed from some guesthouses. If you're serious about your experience, the smartest choice is to rent your gear from a dive shop in Unawatuna. You'll pay more but enjoy far better equipment and a mask that doesn't leak.
Sea Horse Divers — located on the northeast side of the beach (to the left when facing the water) at Unawatuna rents professional snorkeling gear for only a few dollars per day.
Put the mask on your face (without the head strap) and inhale through your nose. Ideally, a mask the right size with a good seal will stick to your face enough that you can remove your hands without it falling.
Ask in the dive shop about their favorite methods for preventing the mask from fogging up.
Watching Sunset at Jungle Beach
The Sunset Point, marked by a sign on the road to Jungle Beach, offers far better sunset views than those in Unawatuna. If you plan to stay until sunset, you'll definitely need a flashlight for the walk back.
Get started back well before total darkness or plan to catch a ride once back on the road; there will be transportation options waiting. Allow a few minutes on the way out for looking around the large Japanese Peace Pagoda located just above the beach.
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White Jungle Beach
One of the popular attractions near Galle and Unawatuna is Jungle Beach. Since we had a rented scooter we decided to head out to it and check it out after we visited the Japanese Peace Pagoda which is nearby.
As a traveler I am more comfortable in cargo pants or shorts. Every now and then I pack a dress but never use it. Visiting the Jungle beach was one of those times when I decided to ditch my comfort zone and wear a nice floral dress.
I was just going to the beach and I had my swimwear on so why not. That was how my rather hilarious adventure began.
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Getting To Jungle Beach In Unawatuna
You can get to Jungle beach by taking the diversion off the main road but since we were staying in Hansa Hotel which is very close to the Unawatuna beach, we decided to take the inner roads which was a rather bad idea.
The roads make for a nice long walk but they get narrower and steeper as the path goes on. Being surrounded by the Rumassala Sancutuary doesn’t help much either since the cell network becomes rather unreliable. That means that we eventually got lost!
We stopped at a point that said parking and decided to trek the rest of the way. Now this would have been a mighty good idea despite the fact that the trail started becoming smaller and mosquitoes started becoming more numerous (the dress and the ridiculous strappy sandals did not help!).
Unfortunately, midway we realized that with dusk looming overhead, we would have to trek all the way back just to get our scooter and go home so we turned back and headed to the Jungle beach by road.
Heading To Jungle Beach
Trekking through to jungle to reach Jungle beach in Unawatuna, Sri Lanka.
We quickly learnt that Jungle beach got its name for reason. Any guesses how? Well no matter which way you head, you have to trek through the Jungle to reach it.
By now I was feeling a little bit ridiculous in my dress, but it made us laugh so we clicked a number of goofy photographs. I guess that proves that I can’t be a gorgeous instagrammer now doesn’t it? Luckily the trek down is easy and it is well paved. It took a while to reach down but when we did, we couldn’t help but believe that the trek was worth it.
There isn’t much on Jungle beach. A sprinkling of tourists and a small stretch of gorgeous white sand. There is a small restaurant in one corner where you can get yourself something to eat or drink. A couple of sun beds and a tyre swing.
I distinctly remember the tyre swing because I loved them as a kid and couldn’t help hopping on this one too! Yes! Even with my dress! Once a tomboy always a tomboy I guess.
We spent a while walking on the beach and listening to the waves that lapped at the shore. A part of us wished we could stay longer but we really wanted to visit the Pagoda which was next on our list. With it almost time for the sun to set on the horizon, we left the peaceful Jungle beach behind and started our trek back to the road.
Where To Stay In Unawatuna
If you are looking for a great place to just chill and enjoy the beaches in Unawatuna, I would recommend staying at Hansa Villa. This accommodation was not epically luxurious but it had everything we could need and it came at a budget price which really worked well with our wallet.
It is also walking distance away from the beach so you don’t need any mode of transportation. We did rent a motorbike so that we could explore Galle and other areas close by but if you just want to chill by the beach, you won’t need it.
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