Set on the Southern shore of Sri Lanka, just a few minutes along the coast from spectacular Mirissa Beach and within easy reach of Galle Fort, Talaramba Reef offers an idyllic holiday experience.
The warm and breezy coast of Southern Sri Lanka has charmed and captivated visitors for centuries – from King Solomon and Chinese Admiral Zheng He, to traders from the Arabian Peninsula and the Portuguese, Dutch and British of more recent colonial times. As a result the area has a fascinating and vibrant culture, expressed not least through its varied architecture, fabulous food and vibrant festivals.
If total relaxation and fine dining is your goal, then you never have to leave Talaramba Reef, but if you're feeling a little energetic, there's plenty to keep you occupied nearby:
Dining
There are numerous beach cafes for a drink or fresh barbequed fish along Mirissa beach, fabulous rice & curry up at Mirissa Hills cinnamon plantation and if you want to go further afield, glamorous dining at the Galle Fort Hotel and Amangalla in Galle Fort.
Cycling
We have four bikes at the house for energetic types who fancy a spin through the paddies. Once off the main roads, you are embraced by the charm of rural Sri Lankan life and two wheels provide the right pace at which to experience it.
Surfing
The surfing near Talaramba Reef is fantastic all year round, although good clean breaks are easier to find between November and April. There are good surf spots a couple of kilometers up the road towards Matara, and in Mirissa, as well as Ahangama and Midigama. Beginners and kids can take longboard lessons in nearby Weligama.
Fishing
Game fishing is available with Mirissa Water Sports out of Mirissa harbor and there's great shore fishing from the beach and rocks.
Auyurveda
Ayurveda is a system of traditional medicine and holistic wellness native to India and Sri Lanka. Excellent ayurvedic consultations and treatment programmes are offered up the road from Talaramba at Barberyn Beach Ayurvedic Resort in Weligama.
Massage
The Secret Root Spa in Mirissa offers fabulous massages in a peaceful, simple garden environment or their masseurs will come to you at the villas if you prefer.
Tea tasting
Our local tea plantation, Handunugoda Tea Estate, produces Virgin White Tipped tea, which costs more than silver and is harvested using a variation of an ancient Chinese tradition developed for the emperor. The original method had virgins cutting the leaves into a bowl with golden scissors so the tea is untouched by human hand. The modern version, more prosaically, has the workers wearing gloves.
Temples
With Sri Lanka being predominantly Buddhist, there are temples and stupas everywhere, some large and welcoming of tourists, others small and very local. When visiting a temple or stupa, please dress conservatively, take shoes and hats off before entering, and leave a donation for the monks.
Whale watching
Southern Sri Lanka is one of the best places in the world to see blue whales. Whilst it is an incredible experience seeing these giant mammals up close, we are also very conscious of the effect that unregulated pursuit will have on their annual visits. If you want to go whale watching then please use a government licensed company, such as Mirissa Water Sports. This will also ensure that you return safely.
