LANKA EXCURSIONS HOLIDAYS
  • Home
    • Welcome
    • Covid 19 Info
    • payments
  • Tours
    • Excursions
    • day-excursions food-safaris >
      • Negombo Food Safaris
      • Sigiriya Food Safari
    • 3 days 2 nights
    • 4 days 3 nights
    • 7 days tour
    • 8 days tour
    • your-price-choice
    • Outdoor Anuradhapura
    • Sri Lanka Transport Service
    • 7 days with 4 hikes
    • 10 days with 7 hikes
    • 2-days trek Knuckles-5-Peaks
    • 15 days with 3 surf beaches
    • 15 days with 7 means of travel
    • Bentota beach holidays
    • Nilaveli beach holidays
    • 4 weeks honeymoon tour
    • Terms
    • Services
    • Tripadvisor
    • Cambodia
    • Nepal
    • deutsch
    • по-русски
  • About
  • Info
    • Where is Sri Lanka >
      • Names of Sri Lanka
    • Regions >
      • Cultural Triangle images
      • Central Highland images
      • Western Plains images
      • Southwest Wet Zone images
      • Deep South images
      • Eastern Shores images
      • Northern Province images
    • Sri Lanka off the beaten path >
      • highly recommended
      • around Colombo
      • around Yapahuwa
      • around Anuradhapura
      • around Jaffna
      • around Trincomalee
      • around Polonnaruwa
      • around Sigiriya
      • around Kandy
      • around Nuwara Eliya
      • around Arugam Bay
      • around Hambantota
      • around Bentota
      • all over Sri Lanka
    • Things to do
    • Slide Show >
      • Famous Places Slide Show
      • Less-known Sites Slide Show
    • Directory
  • Mihintale
    • Mihintale attractions
    • Guesthouse Rooms
    • Rent my Villa
    • Activities around Mihintale
    • Hiking in Mihintale
    • Mihintale-sightseeing
    • Picnic at Kaludiya Pokuna
    • car
    • Day trips by car
  • Culture
    • Food >
      • Rice
      • Breakfast
      • Kottu Roti
      • Pasta Sri Lanka style
      • Rice Noodles Sri Lanka style
      • Egg-fried rice Sri Lanka style
    • Tea
    • Ayurveda
  • Destinations
    • World Heritage Sites >
      • Anuradhapura
      • Polonnaruwa
      • Sigiriya
      • Dambulla
      • Kandy Sacred City
      • Galle Fort
    • Cities >
      • Colombo
      • Nuwara Eliya
      • Trincomalee
      • Ratnapura
      • Batticaloa
      • Kurunegala
      • Matale
      • Kalutara
      • Tangalle
      • Hambantota
      • Puttalam
      • Chilaw
      • Matara
      • Avissawella
      • Badulla
      • Tissamaharama
      • Kalmunai
      • Embilipitiya
      • Habarana
      • Kilinochchi
      • Pottuvil
      • Giritale
    • Sacred Places >
      • Kataragama
      • Mahiyangana
      • Seruwila
      • Somawathiya
      • Sita Eliya
      • Maha Saman Devale
      • Kelaniya
      • Munneshvaram
      • Kanniyai
      • Manavari
      • Adisham Hall
      • Karagahagedara
      • Madampe
      • Seenigama
      • Divurumpola
    • Ancient Temples >
      • Haththikuchchi
      • Ritigala
      • Yapahuwa
      • Wilandagoda
      • Thiriyai
      • Velgam Vehera
      • Medirigiriya
      • Sithulpahuwa
      • Pidurangala
      • Nalanda
      • Mulkirigala
      • Panduwasnuwara
      • Padeniya
      • Padavigampola
      • Namal Uyana
      • Arankale
      • Menikdena
      • Manakanda
      • Nillakgama
      • Panavitiya
      • Gadaladeniya
      • Lankatilaka
      • Embekke
      • Lahugala
      • Kudumbigala
      • Dambadeniya
      • Kiralagala
      • Kalupokuna
      • Degaldoruwa
      • Ramba Vihara
      • Medawala
      • Dadagamuwa
      • Buddhangala
      • Dematamal Viharaya
      • Pilikuttuwa
      • Dodanwela
      • Dimbulagala
      • Beligala
      • Bogoda
      • Barandiya Kovil
      • Kokabe
      • Divulwewa
      • Madagama
      • Pettagangala
      • Isenbessagala
      • Kuruwita
      • Koskandawala
      • Attanagalla
      • Alawwa
      • Awariyawala
      • Hanguranketa
    • Historical Caves >
      • Ridigama
      • Salgala
      • Veheragala
      • Wavulpone
      • Sankapala
      • Varana
      • Aluvihara
      • Anamaduwa
      • Aluthepola
      • Maligatenna
      • Divaguhawa
      • Batadomba Lena
      • Beli Lena
      • Pahiyangala
      • Maradankadawala
    • Giant Stupas >
      • Yudaganawa
      • Dedigama
      • Dighavapi
    • Rock Buddha statues >
      • Gal Vihara
      • Aukana Buddha
      • Sasseruwa Buddha
      • Buduruwagala
      • Dowa
      • Maligawila
      • Kushtaraja Statue
      • Thanthirimale
      • Bakamuna
      • Maboda Temple
    • Mountains >
      • Adam's Peak
      • Horton Plains
      • Pidurutalagala
      • Knuckles Range
      • Sinharaja
      • Haputale
      • Ella
      • Namunukula
      • Deanston
      • Ramboda
      • Ambuluwawa
      • Bible Rock
      • Medamahanuwara
      • Hunnasgiriya
      • Hakgala
      • Kadugannawa
      • Uda Pussellawa
      • Passara
      • Victoria Lake
      • Retiyagama
    • Waterfalls >
      • Bambarakanda Falls
      • Diyaluma Falls
      • Dunhinda Falls
      • St. Clair's Falls
      • Devon Falls
      • Bopath Falls
      • Dodam Falls
      • Mannakethi Falls
      • Aberdeen Falls
      • Lakshapana
      • Kirindi Falls
      • Bambarakiri Falls
      • Ravana Falls
      • Hunas Falls
    • National Parks >
      • Yala NP
      • Wilpattu NP
      • Maduru Oya NP
      • Gal Oya NP
      • Udawalawe NP
      • Minneriya NP
      • Kaudulla NP
      • Kumana NP
      • Bundala NP
      • Ussangoda
      • leopards
    • Activity Attractions >
      • Kandy Perahera 2019
      • Kithulgala
      • Pinnawela
      • Madu Ganga
      • Muthurajawela
      • Meetiyagoda
      • Rekawa
      • Induruwa
      • Brief Garden
      • Lunuganga
      • Gampaha
      • Kanneliya
      • Bodhinagala
      • Mahapalessa Hot Springs
      • Thoppigala
      • Rufus Kulam
      • Wewurukannala
      • Kalawewa
      • Kandalama
    • Beaches >
      • Beruwela
      • Bentota Beach
      • Balapitiya
      • Ambalangoda
      • Hikkaduwa
      • Unawatuna
      • Weligama
      • Mirissa
      • Dondra
      • Hiriketiya
      • Hoomaniya Blowhole
      • Kirinda
      • Okanda
      • Arugam Bay
      • Thirukkovil
      • Pasikuda
      • Thennadi Bay
      • Nilaveli Beach
      • Pulmoddai
      • Mannar Island
      • Kaplitiya Peninsula
      • Marawila
      • Negombo
    • Jaffna Peninsula >
      • Jaffna
      • Nallur
      • Kandarodai
      • Nilavarai
      • Point Pedro
      • Manalkadu
      • Naguleshvaram
      • Jambukola
      • Nainativu
      • Delft Island
      • Elephant Pass
    • top 20 attractions >
      • top 20 in Colombo
      • top 20 in Kandy
    • Sri Lanka off the beaten track
  • Blog
  • Reviews
    • Reviews since 2020
    • Tripadvisor Reviews
    • Reviews 2015-2020
    • instagram
  • Contact

Okanda - southeastern Sri Lanka's untouched dream beach

dream beach of Okanda in southeastern Sri Lanka
Okanda is located at the entrance gate of Kumana National Park, 20 km south of Arugam Bay. Okanda's picturesque coastline is free of hotel buildings and tourism and traffic noise and pollution, although it’s one of the island’s most beutiful beaches. However, bathing is dangerous because of underwater currents. Okanda is a sacred site, too. In July it’s a station of Sri Lanka's most significant pilgrimage, the Pada Yatra from Jaffna to Kataragama along the East Coast. Okanda is the last stage at the coast. From here ineards, the pilgrimage path crosses jungle areas before finally reaching Kataragama. Devote pilgrims stay three days in Okanda and take ritual bathes in the ocean near the temple, which is called Okanda Kataragama Devalaya, Kataragama being the name of the god known as Murugan by Tamils in India and Devalaya or Devale being a term for Hindu temples also frequented by Sinhalese Buddhists. Adjacent to the temple is the Thambiluvil pilgrimage monastery.

Apart from the Pada Yatra pilgrimage season, the remote coastal village of Okanda beach is a tranquil sandy beach. One heritage attraction nearby is the scenic Kudumbigala sanctuary, an ancient forest monastery.

Visitors of Okanda Beach, for example surfers, usually stay in Arugam Bay. The peak surfing season at Sri Lanka’s southeast coast is August and September.

Further south Okanda is not quite as perfect for surfers, but they cover their expenses here, too. Okanda beach is not obstructed, and foreign visitors are rare, although this is one of the most beautiful beaches of Sri Lanka. However,

The surge of waves and underwater currents should not to be underestimated. Holiday makers should not swim out into the open sea. A lifeguard is not available at this lonely beach.

There are no hotels or guesthouses in Okanda. The only place to stay for those who do not find private accommodation are some rooms that are commonly used by pilgrims at the temple. A Tamil shop with a small restaurant for Sinhala and Tamil guests is close-by. The cuisine is a purely local, of course.

In cooperation with locals, Lanka Excursions Holidays can arrange private stays for guests who are willing to accept the living conditions of locals as their holiday accommodation.

In the nearby village of Panama, pronounced “Pa-neme”, the Sri Lanka Navy maintains a guest bungalow. Tourists are allowed to use their rooms, too, but reservation is very difficult because the bungalow is frequently used by Navy personnel.

Both Okanda and Panama are perfect starting points for safaris in the Kumana National Park. It is very similar to Yala, but much less frequented by tourists. This is why wildlife expeditions in Kumana are among the most authentic you can do in Sri Lanka.

A half-day excursion to the rock monastery Kundumbigala situated close to Okanda Beach and Kumana National Park is highly recommendable. In Kudumbigala, chances to observe wild bears just outside the national park boundaries are not too bad, particularly in July and August.

Sri Lanka destinations A-Z
Sri Lanka's Travel Regions
Picture
What guests write about us
You can Leave a comment ...
Why travel with Lanka Excursions Holidays?

+ We are a local agency owned and run by Sri Lankans, not part of international holdings
+ We are well known for our direct and personal relationships with travellers 
+ We facilitate authentic meetings with locals who are not from the tourism sector 
  + We follow a strict policy not to push guests to visit shops and shops and shops
+ We have an unrivalled expertise to show you places off the beaten path
+ We provide genuine information instead of clichés and tourism industry slogans

Our ambition is to provide high-quality information in preparation of your Sri Lanka holidays ... and even more superb travel experiences
Lanka Excursions Holidays office hours 8.00 to 9.30 p.m. daily (except from June Fullmoon Day)

AIRBNB SUPERHOST
First House Mihintale
Rooms in Mihintale
First House Mihintale
87, Missaka Mawatha, Mihintale 50300, Sri Lanka.
0094 71 6097795

  • TripAdvisor
Lanka Excursions Holidays

255/24, "Green Park" Dawatagahawatta, Thimbirigaskatuwa, Mahahunupitiya East, Negombo, Sri Lanka
Office: 0094 31 223 991
Mobile: 0094 71 6097795
lankaexcursionsholidays@gmail.com
  • TripAdvisor

all rights reserved, © 2016 Lanka Excursion Holidays
  • Home
    • Welcome
    • Covid 19 Info
    • payments
  • Tours
    • Excursions
    • day-excursions food-safaris >
      • Negombo Food Safaris
      • Sigiriya Food Safari
    • 3 days 2 nights
    • 4 days 3 nights
    • 7 days tour
    • 8 days tour
    • your-price-choice
    • Outdoor Anuradhapura
    • Sri Lanka Transport Service
    • 7 days with 4 hikes
    • 10 days with 7 hikes
    • 2-days trek Knuckles-5-Peaks
    • 15 days with 3 surf beaches
    • 15 days with 7 means of travel
    • Bentota beach holidays
    • Nilaveli beach holidays
    • 4 weeks honeymoon tour
    • Terms
    • Services
    • Tripadvisor
    • Cambodia
    • Nepal
    • deutsch
    • по-русски
  • About
  • Info
    • Where is Sri Lanka >
      • Names of Sri Lanka
    • Regions >
      • Cultural Triangle images
      • Central Highland images
      • Western Plains images
      • Southwest Wet Zone images
      • Deep South images
      • Eastern Shores images
      • Northern Province images
    • Sri Lanka off the beaten path >
      • highly recommended
      • around Colombo
      • around Yapahuwa
      • around Anuradhapura
      • around Jaffna
      • around Trincomalee
      • around Polonnaruwa
      • around Sigiriya
      • around Kandy
      • around Nuwara Eliya
      • around Arugam Bay
      • around Hambantota
      • around Bentota
      • all over Sri Lanka
    • Things to do
    • Slide Show >
      • Famous Places Slide Show
      • Less-known Sites Slide Show
    • Directory
  • Mihintale
    • Mihintale attractions
    • Guesthouse Rooms
    • Rent my Villa
    • Activities around Mihintale
    • Hiking in Mihintale
    • Mihintale-sightseeing
    • Picnic at Kaludiya Pokuna
    • car
    • Day trips by car
  • Culture
    • Food >
      • Rice
      • Breakfast
      • Kottu Roti
      • Pasta Sri Lanka style
      • Rice Noodles Sri Lanka style
      • Egg-fried rice Sri Lanka style
    • Tea
    • Ayurveda
  • Destinations
    • World Heritage Sites >
      • Anuradhapura
      • Polonnaruwa
      • Sigiriya
      • Dambulla
      • Kandy Sacred City
      • Galle Fort
    • Cities >
      • Colombo
      • Nuwara Eliya
      • Trincomalee
      • Ratnapura
      • Batticaloa
      • Kurunegala
      • Matale
      • Kalutara
      • Tangalle
      • Hambantota
      • Puttalam
      • Chilaw
      • Matara
      • Avissawella
      • Badulla
      • Tissamaharama
      • Kalmunai
      • Embilipitiya
      • Habarana
      • Kilinochchi
      • Pottuvil
      • Giritale
    • Sacred Places >
      • Kataragama
      • Mahiyangana
      • Seruwila
      • Somawathiya
      • Sita Eliya
      • Maha Saman Devale
      • Kelaniya
      • Munneshvaram
      • Kanniyai
      • Manavari
      • Adisham Hall
      • Karagahagedara
      • Madampe
      • Seenigama
      • Divurumpola
    • Ancient Temples >
      • Haththikuchchi
      • Ritigala
      • Yapahuwa
      • Wilandagoda
      • Thiriyai
      • Velgam Vehera
      • Medirigiriya
      • Sithulpahuwa
      • Pidurangala
      • Nalanda
      • Mulkirigala
      • Panduwasnuwara
      • Padeniya
      • Padavigampola
      • Namal Uyana
      • Arankale
      • Menikdena
      • Manakanda
      • Nillakgama
      • Panavitiya
      • Gadaladeniya
      • Lankatilaka
      • Embekke
      • Lahugala
      • Kudumbigala
      • Dambadeniya
      • Kiralagala
      • Kalupokuna
      • Degaldoruwa
      • Ramba Vihara
      • Medawala
      • Dadagamuwa
      • Buddhangala
      • Dematamal Viharaya
      • Pilikuttuwa
      • Dodanwela
      • Dimbulagala
      • Beligala
      • Bogoda
      • Barandiya Kovil
      • Kokabe
      • Divulwewa
      • Madagama
      • Pettagangala
      • Isenbessagala
      • Kuruwita
      • Koskandawala
      • Attanagalla
      • Alawwa
      • Awariyawala
      • Hanguranketa
    • Historical Caves >
      • Ridigama
      • Salgala
      • Veheragala
      • Wavulpone
      • Sankapala
      • Varana
      • Aluvihara
      • Anamaduwa
      • Aluthepola
      • Maligatenna
      • Divaguhawa
      • Batadomba Lena
      • Beli Lena
      • Pahiyangala
      • Maradankadawala
    • Giant Stupas >
      • Yudaganawa
      • Dedigama
      • Dighavapi
    • Rock Buddha statues >
      • Gal Vihara
      • Aukana Buddha
      • Sasseruwa Buddha
      • Buduruwagala
      • Dowa
      • Maligawila
      • Kushtaraja Statue
      • Thanthirimale
      • Bakamuna
      • Maboda Temple
    • Mountains >
      • Adam's Peak
      • Horton Plains
      • Pidurutalagala
      • Knuckles Range
      • Sinharaja
      • Haputale
      • Ella
      • Namunukula
      • Deanston
      • Ramboda
      • Ambuluwawa
      • Bible Rock
      • Medamahanuwara
      • Hunnasgiriya
      • Hakgala
      • Kadugannawa
      • Uda Pussellawa
      • Passara
      • Victoria Lake
      • Retiyagama
    • Waterfalls >
      • Bambarakanda Falls
      • Diyaluma Falls
      • Dunhinda Falls
      • St. Clair's Falls
      • Devon Falls
      • Bopath Falls
      • Dodam Falls
      • Mannakethi Falls
      • Aberdeen Falls
      • Lakshapana
      • Kirindi Falls
      • Bambarakiri Falls
      • Ravana Falls
      • Hunas Falls
    • National Parks >
      • Yala NP
      • Wilpattu NP
      • Maduru Oya NP
      • Gal Oya NP
      • Udawalawe NP
      • Minneriya NP
      • Kaudulla NP
      • Kumana NP
      • Bundala NP
      • Ussangoda
      • leopards
    • Activity Attractions >
      • Kandy Perahera 2019
      • Kithulgala
      • Pinnawela
      • Madu Ganga
      • Muthurajawela
      • Meetiyagoda
      • Rekawa
      • Induruwa
      • Brief Garden
      • Lunuganga
      • Gampaha
      • Kanneliya
      • Bodhinagala
      • Mahapalessa Hot Springs
      • Thoppigala
      • Rufus Kulam
      • Wewurukannala
      • Kalawewa
      • Kandalama
    • Beaches >
      • Beruwela
      • Bentota Beach
      • Balapitiya
      • Ambalangoda
      • Hikkaduwa
      • Unawatuna
      • Weligama
      • Mirissa
      • Dondra
      • Hiriketiya
      • Hoomaniya Blowhole
      • Kirinda
      • Okanda
      • Arugam Bay
      • Thirukkovil
      • Pasikuda
      • Thennadi Bay
      • Nilaveli Beach
      • Pulmoddai
      • Mannar Island
      • Kaplitiya Peninsula
      • Marawila
      • Negombo
    • Jaffna Peninsula >
      • Jaffna
      • Nallur
      • Kandarodai
      • Nilavarai
      • Point Pedro
      • Manalkadu
      • Naguleshvaram
      • Jambukola
      • Nainativu
      • Delft Island
      • Elephant Pass
    • top 20 attractions >
      • top 20 in Colombo
      • top 20 in Kandy
    • Sri Lanka off the beaten track
  • Blog
  • Reviews
    • Reviews since 2020
    • Tripadvisor Reviews
    • Reviews 2015-2020
    • instagram
  • Contact