Galle beyond the Fort the Jungle Beach Rumassala hill and the Japanese Peace Pagoda what is out there

South coast guide so Galle beyond the Fort there is a lovely pocket on the headland just south Where it is between Galle Fort and Unawatuna lies the RUMASSALA hill a forested headland with three gems the Rumassala hill itself the Japanese Peace Pagoda on it and the Jungle Beach below RUMASSALA HILL and the Ramayana legend Rumassala is a forested hill rich in medicinal plants and tied to the RAMAYANA legend (the story goes Hanuman dropped a piece of a Himalayan mountain carrying healing herbs here which is why it has unusual medicinal flora the Ramayana trail threads) it has good views and a peaceful nature walk feel the JAPANESE PEACE PAGODA on the Rumassala headland sits a gleaming white Japanese Peace Pagoda (a Buddhist stupa built by Japanese monks one of several peace pagodas worldwide) it is serene with lovely coastal views a quiet spiritual spot and worth the short visit for the calm and the panorama JUNGLE BEACH the hidden gem below the headland is JUNGLE BEACH a small secluded cove tucked in the greenery it is a quiet sheltered little beach good for a SWIM and some SNORKELLING (there is some reef and fish) much calmer and quieter than the main Unawatuna strip a lovely hidden dip Worth it YES for a half day of quiet nature and views away from the Fort crowds the combination of the peaceful pagoda the Ramayana hill and the secluded Jungle Beach makes a delightful low key escape it is exactly the Galle beyond the Fort you want Getting there it is near UNAWATUNA (just south of Galle) you can reach the headland by tuk tuk from Galle or Unawatuna a short hop a path leads up to the pagoda and down to Jungle Beach (a bit of a walk through the trees) or there is road access easiest by tuk tuk then on foot June and the coast HONEST seasonal note this is the SOUTH WEST coast which is in its WET southwest monsoon season now (the monsoon threads) so June brings rain and the sea can be rougher Jungle Beach is somewhat sheltered (better than the open coast) but for guaranteed calm clear snorkelling the dry season is better the pagoda and hill are fine in the rain (and atmospheric) so manage sea expectations for June So beyond Galle Fort head to the Rumassala headland for the serene Japanese Peace Pagoda the Ramayana linked Rumassala hill and the secluded Jungle Beach for a quiet swim and snorkel a lovely half day escape reached by tuk tuk near Unawatuna just note the June southwest monsoon means a wetter rougher sea so the pagoda and hill shine more than the swimming this month