Hambantota Seaport with a private driver

Hambantota Port is a Chinese-built deep-water port completed in 2010 on the southeastern coast, positioned roughly midway along the southern coastal highway between Galle and the east-coast beaches. While primarily a transshipment and commercial vessel facility, it handles periodic cruise calls and is notable for its proximity to the major wildlife destinations of the southeast: Yala National Park is 50 kilometres to the east (about 50 minutes by car), Bundala Ramsar wetland is 20 kilometres east, and Tissamaharama with its tank and bird life is 45 kilometres away. A transfer from Hambantota directly to the Yala park entrance is under an hour — shorter than the drive from Galle or Colombo — making it the most convenient entry point for cruise passengers wanting a same-day safari.