When compared to the other more commercialised beach strips on the Southern Coast of the island, Polhena Beach definitely stands out for being a relatively quieter and more pristine destination. Polhena is located approximately six kilometers away from Matara City and ten kilometers from Mirissa. The word Polhena is derived from the Sinhala word for the coconut field.
The beach is especially famous for its warm gin clear water and sheltered coral reef that stretches for two and a half miles. Naturally formed shallow pools found by the reef shelf is especially ideal to paddle about safely in for hours.
Located on a protected lagoon, the Polhena Beach lays claim to colourful corals. The cove enjoys a lack of strong currents, making it’s a great spot for little ones to swim in safely.
Snorkelling and swimming, in particular, are popular activities to enjoy while here, as the sheltered coral reef stretches for two and a half miles. Among the abundance of marine life, one will be able to observe include exotic tropical reef fish, sting greys, and eels, and if you’re lucky some gentle sea turtles as you paddle through the shallows.
The shores are bordered by little cafes and restaurants where one can stop by to grab a bite to eat, sampling local seafood delicacies are highly recommended as well. Make it point to enjoy a refreshing drink of king coconut water to stay hydrated in the scorching heat.
There are several dive centre including the Polhena Diving Centre and Green Turtle Snorkeling Centre where one can rent snorkeling equipment if you already don’t have any on you. One can also opt to enjoy a boat ride while on a visit here as well.
The best time to visit this attraction is during a weekday as weekends see the beach visited by a lot of locals. November to January is an especially great time to visit as the waters are calm, and visibility high.
