Sri Lanka best beaches without waves in winter. The best beaches in Sri Lanka for a winter holiday. The best beaches of Sri Lanka: photos, description

Review best resorts and beaches of Sri Lanka: map, description, season, pros and cons. Find out where the best beach holidays are on the island!

There are many in Sri Lanka wonderful resorts with good beaches and well-developed infrastructure. In this review you will learn about the most popular resorts and beaches in Sri Lanka. We will tell you about a beach holiday in Sri Lanka: what is good about each resort, how to spend time on vacation and when is the best time to go on vacation.

Map of resorts and beaches of Sri Lanka

List of the best resorts in Sri Lanka

Negombo is located closer than other resorts to Colombo airport - the distance to it is about 30 km. This is very convenient for tourists who have had a long flight. The place is more famous for its fishing conditions than for beach holidays: coastal waters abound big amount fish, their migration period falls on high tourist season. The large seafood market is one of Negombo's most famous attractions. Negombo has reefs, which makes the place popular among divers.

Beach holidays in Negombo are mediocre: the water is muddy, some areas of the shore are occupied by fishermen, where they lay out gear and dry fish. There are few umbrellas and sunbeds, as well as water activities, the only exceptions being expensive hotels.

Nevertheless, Negombo is considered one of the best resorts in Sri Lanka thanks to the convenient beaches for swimming that stretch along Lewis Place. Also here optimal choice housing and many photogenic fishermen and beautiful scenery.

Negombo can be visited all year round, however it is very wet in May and October - November.

(Photo © ronsaunders47 / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0)

Hikkaduwa is located 100 km from Colombo and is the leader in attendance. Divers, surfers, snorkelers, young people and family people come here. Water activities and a modest nightlife have made Hikkaduwa the busiest and best resort in Sri Lanka.

Here are the longest beaches in Sri Lanka and many hotels of different categories. The beaches are ideal for surfing - there is almost always a strong wave. Early in the morning, huge turtles appear near the shore; they are so accustomed to people that they take treats directly from people’s hands.

In the center of Hikkaduwa there is a coral park where you can ride a glass-bottom boat or go snorkeling, order boat trip. There are several Buddhist temples in Hikkaduwa, the most famous and popular among them is located on a small island. Entrance to the temples is free, excluding travel fees. Excursions to the mines where precious stones are mined and can be purchased are popular among vacationers.

A great time to holiday in Hikkaduwa is from November to April.

Wadduwa is located 35 km from Colombo. This Sri Lankan resort offers golden sandy beaches, coconut trees, diving centers, sailboats, surfing and other entertainment. During the dives you can see the remains of sunken ships. Tennis courts and golf courses are equipped especially for vacationers. All hotels are comfortable.

Fans of excursions will not be bored - they will be able to visit neighboring Kalutara with the Buddhist temple Gangatilaka Vihara and the fishermen's town of Hambantota, take a boat trip along the canals and capture the local beauty.

Best time for active and beach holiday at this resort - from October to March.

(Photo © Hash Milhan / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY 2.0)

The village of Bentota is located south of Colombo - 65 km (2 hours drive), between the mouth of the river of the same name and the ocean. It is considered an elite and best resort in Sri Lanka, a favorite beach holiday destination for romantics and those seeking solitude.

Here is the largest number comfortable hotels, sparsely populated clean beaches and lush jungle nature, the famous mangrove forests grow in this area. The resort offers a lot of entertainment for its guests - sea and river fishing, an exciting safari on the river with crocodiles, excursions to a turtle farm, yacht trips and much more. There is a center for diving enthusiasts.

The best time for a beach holiday in Bentota is from October to April.

(Photo © lola media / flickr.com / License CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Small resort village Unawatuna is located 120 km from Colombo. Once a fishing village, this rapidly developing resort is only slightly inferior in popularity to Hikkaduwa and Bentota.

This place is especially loved by tourists who vacation on their own - the resort has many guesthouses at an affordable price. The main advantage of Unawatuna is the calm water in the ocean. The central beach is located in a bay, and coral reefs protect from strong waves, so families with children are happy to relax here.

The entire tourism infrastructure has been created. Vacationers can go diving or snorkeling; lovers of excursions can visit the neighboring resort of Galle. But this is not a place for solitude: the beaches of Unawatuna can be quite crowded.

The optimal time for vacation is from December to April. It is too rainy in May and October–November.

(Photo © iris0327 / flickr.com / License CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Due to their distance from the airport, the resorts on the northeastern coast of Sri Lanka are less popular than on the southwestern coast. Nevertheless, Trincomalee is considered one of the best resorts in Sri Lanka and the most beautiful place islands: here is a deep-water bay, discovered at one time by Admiral Nelson. Trincomalee itself is unique in terms of architecture - there are Muslim buildings, Buddhist and Hindu temples. You can get there by night train from Colombo (9 hours travel time) or by bus (7 hours).

According to some vacationers, Trincomalee beaches are the best in all of Sri Lanka. The holiday is quiet, there is little entertainment here, the infrastructure is still under development, most hotels are inexpensive, bars and restaurants are of the same level.

The natural beauty of this place is amazing - tall palm trees and lemurs roaming free. Not far from the coast is a coral island, which is favored by divers and snorkelers; there are hot springs a few kilometers away.

It is best to plan your trip from March to August, as November-December is too rainy.

(Photo © Images of Sri Lanka - Sequential Shots / flickr.com / Licensed CC BY-NC 2.0)

List of the best beaches in Sri Lanka

All the island's beaches are sandy, many of them are surrounded by coconut palms and other tropical plants. The best beaches in Sri Lanka are located on the southwest coast and are not too far from each other.

Bentota Beach

Most famous beach on the island, and according to numerous reviews from enthusiastic tourists, it is also one of the best for a beach holiday. This is where they prefer to spend their Honeymoon newlyweds. A wide coastal strip, palm trees, complete privacy - these are the main advantages of this place.

A wonderful place and almost complete absence of infrastructure. Since the beach is quite far from Colombo (5 hours by bus), it is visited by single tourists or those who have undertaken independent trip around the island.

(Photo © That Guy,Will / flickr.com / Licensed CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Unawatuna Beach is located in the village of the same name. The coastal strip is not as wide as in Bentota, but the calm water off the coast makes it extremely attractive. The sand is very fine and clean, part of the territory is occupied by cafes and hotels, the rest is available for swimming and water activities. There is shallow water intended for swimming with children.

Hikkaduwa Beach

The longest beach line in Sri Lanka. Orange sand and turquoise water, along the line there are numerous cafes and guesthouses. Strong waves have made this place a favorite spot for surfers, but there are relatively calm areas - near the Chaaya Tranz hotel. There are no sunbeds there, there is enough shade from palm trees, many people come there to swim with their children. Thanks to all this, Hikkaduwa Beach is considered one of the best places for a beach holiday in Sri Lanka.

The Tangalle beach complex has long been persistently included in the lists of the best beaches in Sri Lanka. This is an ideal place for a secluded holiday: you can walk a mile and not see another person. Any accommodation can be found. You can get to the place by bus from Colombo (6 hours).

(Photo © Šejba / flickr.com / License CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

It's hard to predict where and who will like it more. Sri Lanka is still amazing island, where each place deserves special attention and admiration, so it is quite difficult to compile a list of the best resorts and beaches in Sri Lanka that claims to be objective. However, we hope that our review will help you decide on a place to stay and you will have a great time.

Introductory image source: © Dhammika Heenpella / Images of Sri Lanka / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.

Sri Lanka - tropical island, surrounded by the deep blue waters of the Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal. This island has quite a long coastline with many beautiful sandy beaches, which are bordered by coconut palms. This makes Sri Lanka an ideal destination for a beach holiday. There are so many beaches in Sri Lanka that it is simply impossible to talk about all these beaches in one article. However, we have selected the best beaches in Sri Lanka that are most popular among tourists. Most hotels, guest houses and tourist accommodation are located in the area of these beaches.
The main attraction of Sri Lanka for tourists and local residents is undoubtedly the beaches. Of course, there is a lot of interesting things on the island, including unique historical and natural attractions, national parks and much more, but still, Sri Lanka would hardly be so popular among tourists if not for its beautiful beaches.
Sri Lanka's most popular beaches are along the coast starting at Negombo, 37 km north of Colombo, and ending at Hambantota in the south of the island. The length of this coastline is 273 km. Currently, most of the popular resorts and hotels are located on this stretch of the coast of Sri Lanka.
South Colombo, also called the "Gold Coast", becomes resort area, which includes the resorts of Lavinia (a suburb of Colombo), Wadduwa, Kalutara, Beruwala, Bentota, Induruwa, Kosgoda, Ahungalla, Hikkaduwa, Galle, Unawatuna, Koggala, Weligama, Mirissa, Dondra, Dickwella, Tangalle and, finally, Hambantota.
Best beaches Sri Lanka on east coast The islands include Nilaveli, Kuchaveli, Marble Bay, Sweet Bay and Dead Man's Bay with its magnificent harbour. These beaches are located north of Trincomalee. To the south of this famous city are the beautiful beaches of Passikuda, Kalkuda and Arugam Bay.
Now it's time to introduce you to the best beaches in Sri Lanka in more detail.

Beaches of Sri Lanka on the map

Unawatuna Beach

The wonderful Unawatuna beach on the southern coast of Sri Lanka is visited mainly by amateurs aquatic species sports and tourists who want to relax in an area with a true Sri Lankan atmosphere. On Unawatuna beach there is wide choose cheap accommodation, and there are plenty of opportunities for swimming, surfing, snorkeling and diving. The tourism infrastructure here is very well developed. However, Unawatuna Beach still retains its romantic and somewhat crazy atmosphere. This is a truly beautiful beach with golden sand, clear blue water and gently swaying coconut trees that contribute greatly to the idyll. Sometimes you can see sea turtles laying their eggs here, but it still requires a little luck. Unawatuna Beach is protected by a coral reef, so the waves are usually low. This makes this beach an excellent place for swimming all year round. The reef near the beach is a great place for snorkelers as there are many different types fish in all colors. For practicing divers, Unawatuna can offer the site of the Rangoon shipwreck. Not far from the beach, at a depth of 30 meters, there is a ship that sank almost 100 years ago. Several dive centers on Unawatuna Beach offer tours to this site.

Hikkaduwa Beach

White, beautiful sandy beach, tall tropical palm trees, deep blue water and a coral reef, a sleepy and atmospheric fishing village - this is what tourists came to Hikkaduwa on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka in the 1970s.
Hikkaduwa Beach is still a paradise, perfect for surfers, divers and sun worshipers. But something has changed: mass tourism has arrived here, so the Hikkaduwa beach area has many resort hotels, and this beach is no longer a hippie paradise. However, the village of Hikkaduwa has retained its charm and the local population has retained its hospitality.
Today, Hikkaduwa attracts tourists not only with its beautiful beach, but also with numerous entertainment options, good nightlife and excellent hotels.
Among surfers, Hikkaduwa Beach is very popular throughout the year. Beginners and professionals will find suitable waves for themselves here. Due to the presence of a coral reef, Hikkaduwa Beach is also a well-known diving spot. Unfortunately, most of the coral has died and the reef is not as impressive as it used to be. It is possible that the corals will recover, but it will take a long time. Until then, snorkelers and diving enthusiasts can enjoy a variety of colorful fish. If you don't want to dive into the water, you can view numerous species of fish, snails, mussels and other oceanic fauna and flora on a glass-bottom boat ride.

Mirissa Beach

One of the most beautiful beaches in Sri Lanka is located on the southern coast of the island. It is a magnificent crescent-shaped golden sandy beach with clear turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. Under the slender coconut trees there are several bungalows where you can stay for a while. Accommodation in these bungalows is offered at reasonable prices. The relaxed atmosphere invites you to take a dip in the ocean and enjoy a variety of activities water sports, as well as sunbathing and just relaxing. The sunset at Mirissa Beach is simply breathtaking and incredibly romantic. It is said that today Mirissa Beach, with its tranquil atmosphere, is what Unawatuna Beach once was. Mirissa Beach attracts many different travelers, including honeymooners and families with children, as well as those seeking peace and tranquility. Water sports enthusiasts will also appreciate this beach. For example, many surfers come here and choose mainly the western part of the beach, where especially impressive waves appear. On the other side, East End around the so-called parrot rock is great for snorkeling.
A special attraction at Mirissa Beach is watching blue whales and dolphins, especially between November and April. This "whale watching trip", which usually starts early in the morning, will allow you to see close range largest mammals on the planet.
Mirissa Beach is located between two cities, Matara and Welligama, about 35 km from Galle, which can be reached by bus in about an hour.

Koggala Beach

About 14 km south of Galle there is a very picturesque and wide sandy beach. It's not crowded, but worth a visit. Here, fine-grained, yellowish, shiny sand alternates with intricate rock formations and tall coconut trees, providing a wonderful beach idyll. The beautiful coastline and developed infrastructure with many hotels are additional advantages of Koggala Beach. Many young couples often spend romantic days on this beach, but there are also good recreational conditions for families with children.
At Koggala Beach in Sri Lanka, you can observe the traditional fishing techniques characteristic of this island. While many places in Sri Lanka use small wooden fishing boats with a motor for fishing, fishing in the Koggala Beach area is still done in the traditional way for southern Sri Lanka. According to this method of fishing, the fisherman climbs onto a crossbar attached to a pole driven into the water. This allows him, firstly, not to scare away the fish with his shadow, and, secondly, to clearly see the fish in the water.
It is also worth noting that there are two towns near Koggala, Ahangama and Midigama, the latter of which is known as a surfers paradise.

Ahungalla Beach

In the southwest of Sri Lanka, just 15 km from Bentota, Ahungalla Beach is considered one of the most beautiful in the entire country, probably because there is almost nothing under construction here. Because of this, the beach and its surroundings still retain a completely natural atmosphere. The only buildings that can be found among the palm trees on this beach are small fishermen's houses. The sandy beach is approximately 15 km long and is ideal for walking and also for swimming. However, in some places there are currents that can be dangerous. It is important to keep an eye on the flags on the beach. A red flag means that swimming is not recommended, but not prohibited. However, you must remember that there are no lifeguards here.
Ahungalla Beach is famous for its small crabs that quickly disappear into the water or into small holes in the sand when they hear footsteps approaching. The area is also home to turtles such as the Caretta Caretta, whose tracks can be seen in the sand on some days. Usually no one sees the animals themselves.

Balapitiya Beach

The coastal town of Ambalangoda is famous mainly for Sinhalese masks, the traditional production of which is in great demand here. The city also has very beautiful beaches that are also worth visiting. These beaches, like Balapitiya Beach, are wonderful destinations for true nature lovers. There are no hotel blocks here, everything is natural and undeveloped. Nearby beaches such as Hikkaduwa and Bentota are much more popular among tourists.
The sand on Balapitiya Beach is white and fine-grained, and palm trees make this beach a tropical idyll. Here you can take a walk along the ocean, relax in the shade of palm trees, or simply swim in the Indian Ocean. In the evening, fishermen return to the beach in their old, sometimes painted wooden boats and unload the fish.

Bentota Beach

Bentota Beach is located approximately 50 km south of Colombo on the west coast of Sri Lanka and is a good example of a popular seaside resort on an island that has grown from a once sleepy fishing village. Since the 1980s, Bentota has been an important tourism center on the island. At the same time, it's still relative quiet place, especially when compared with Hikkaduwa.
The reason why many tourists visit Bentota is because of the magnificent sandy beach. Indeed, Bentota Beach looks just like in the picture: fine and white sand, countless palm trees and azure water. Various tourists come to Bentota Beach because it is suitable for everyone. Tourists come here for swimming, surfing, sailing, diving, snorkeling, and also for deep sea fishing. Since the water at Bentota Beach is very shallow for long periods of time, the beach is also suitable for families with children. However, during the monsoon season, swimming can be a little dangerous. Red flags in the water mean swimming is not recommended. The southern part of Bentota Beach tends to have higher waves, while the water in the northern part (also known as Bentota Lagoon) is relatively calm. You can find many here famous hotels. Overall, finding accommodation in Bentota is not a problem as there is a large selection of hotels and guest houses in different price ranges.

Negombo Beach

The town of Negombo, located 35 km north of Colombo, is an important tourist magnet, mainly due to its beautiful beaches. As early as the 1970s, Europeans came here to enjoy the relaxed beach life that laid the foundation for rapid development tourism. This is why Negombo is also called the cradle of beach tourism in Sri Lanka. Even today, the beautiful Negombo beach is one of the most important and best known on the island.
Today, Negombo offers a variety of hotels, guest houses and bungalows with varying levels of comfort and varying prices. In addition, the city offers a vibrant nightlife.
With a length of 8 km, the very wide Negombo beach is quite safe for swimming, so it is popular among families with children. You can swim here all year round, but you still need to keep an eye on flags and beach conditions.
Various water sports are also available at Negombo Beach. For example, diving is very popular here as the beach is located next to an interesting coral reef. In addition, not far from the coast there is a shipwreck of the Kudapada.
Since Negombo Beach is only 10 km away international airport, it is often a stop at the beginning or end of a trip to Sri Lanka.

Rekawa Beach

This natural and almost deserted beach in the south of Sri Lanka is simply fantastic in its beauty. There are no big ones here hotel complexes, no noise, no fuss. There is just this perfect beach with fine sand and beautiful clear water. Rekawa is an ideal place for a relaxing holiday, swimming, sunbathing or walking. Rekawa Beach can still be seen sea turtles which return here every year to lay eggs. Already in 1994, a program to protect these turtles was created here, supported by the United Nations. Today these turtles are under international protection. If you're lucky, you might see these fascinating animals laying eggs. Sometimes you can even see baby turtles leaving their eggs and heading into the ocean. These observations are usually conducted in the evening under the direction of the Turtle Conservation Project (TCP). The best time for observations is from January to April, as well as nights with a full moon throughout the year.
Rekawa Beach, which is about 10 km from Tangalla, has several guest houses and small hotels.

Arugam Bay

Arugam Bay - real paradise for surfers. The moon-shaped bay near the Muslim city of Pottuvil is considered one of best places for surfing in Sri Lanka. The tsunami in 2004, as well as the civil war, barely affected this place, so today Arugam Bay looks impressive. What’s special is that the monsoon in Arugam Bay is barely noticeable, so you can relax here almost all year round.
Despite the tourist appeal of the Arugam Bay area, the local population has so far successfully protected the area from the development of large hotel developments. Therefore, these days the area has retained a natural and relaxed atmosphere and attracts mainly nature and water sports lovers.
The fine sandy beach, lined with palm trees, offers fairly good conditions for swimming. The area surrounding it is very beautiful: the forest has a variety of exotic plants, as well as wild elephants and monkeys.
You'll find affordable accommodation on the beach, but there are also luxury bungalows. Therefore, we can say that the beach in Arugam Bay offers accommodation for every taste and budget. Most residential buildings are located directly on the beach. During high season, which runs from May to November on the east coast of Sri Lanka, high-end accommodation is almost always booked, so booking in advance is recommended.
If you want to come to Arugam Bay to surf, you can book surf lessons right on the beach or rent a board and other equipment.

Nilaveli Beach

Perhaps the most popular beach on the east coast of Sri Lanka is Nilaveli Beach, located about 15 km north of Trincomalee. The white, soft and fine sandy beach and clear waters of the Indian Ocean remind many visitors of beaches Caribbean. The legendary beach is equally popular among swimmers, sunbathers and water sports enthusiasts. Nilaveli Beach is also suitable for families with children, as there is a gentle and level entrance to the ocean (or rather, the Bay of Bengal), and the waves here are rarely very high.
Naliveli Beach is also known as the starting point for whale watching trips. If you're lucky, you might spot blue and sperm whales on this tour. Nilaveli Beach also offers tours to Pigeon Island, which offers excellent diving and snorkeling conditions, breathtaking beaches and magnificent coral reefs. During the period from May to September, visibility in the water is greatest here.
On the Nilaveli beach itself there is accommodation of varying levels of comfort. In general, however, tourists here will find it difficult to find suitable low-budget accommodation. There are very nice bungalows for rent right on the beach.
It is worth noting that the military site is located right on Nilaveli Beach, so you can meet a lot of soldiers here. Despite its proximity to the military exclusion zone, Nilaveli Beach is quite quiet and calm. It is also a very clean beach.

Where are the best beaches in Sri Lanka?

As you know, at certain times of the year the weather in different regions Sri Lanka can be very different. That is why different beaches are better suited for relaxation in different months. In order to understand where better beaches in Sri Lanka at certain times of the year, we advise you to study information about the weather and recreation on this island in different months of the year.

Also, do not forget that when choosing the most suitable beach for a holiday in Sri Lanka, it is also important to take into account the choice of accommodation on this beach. For example, if you prefer to stay in luxury all-inclusive hotels, then you will only find such hotels on some beaches.

We would like to immediately apologize if it suddenly seems to anyone that some of our reviews about the best beaches in Sri Lanka will be somewhat negative. Yes, we are not connoisseurs of such “civilized” places - we are indifferent to them, but maybe it is this indifference that will allow us to give a more objective assessment of them. If you, like us, are more interested in secluded and picturesque corners in the “bounty” style, then read about them in the first part - The most beautiful beaches of Sri Lanka.

The best beaches in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has kilometers of sandy beaches under the shade of coconut trees, washed by the waves of the warm Indian Ocean. It would seem that if you want to swim and sunbathe well, go anywhere. However, it should be recognized that the question “Where to go in Sri Lanka for a beach holiday?” is very relevant, but the answer to it is not so obvious. Why? The main reasons are strong ocean waves and not very developed tourist infrastructure.
Part of our multi-day and multi-kilometer traveling around Sri Lanka by motorcycle, became a section along the southern and west coast islands starting from Tangalle and ending in Negombo. Thanks to this, we were able to see and visit almost all the beaches and form our own personal opinion about them. Review south coast can be found , and about the beaches of Negombo (by the way, quite good) - . Review and recommendations of inexpensive, good accommodation along the entire route – .
Now we want to try to tell you where to go specifically for a beach holiday in its classical sense - nice beach, clean sea, tourist infrastructure and other benefits of civilized recreation. It is the desire to combine all these parameters that causes the problem.

The best beaches in Sri Lanka? Where to go for a beach holiday

So, let's begin. the main objective- a classic beach holiday, which should include:

nice, clean, well-kept beach with sun loungers, umbrellas and cafes;
good conditions for swimming, i.e. absence of waves and rocks, good bottom and sufficient depth even during low tides (who doesn’t know, low tides during the daytime);
well-developed tourist infrastructure – exchange offices, ATMs, shops, excursion bureaus and the like;
entertainment - restaurants, bars, discotheques, nightclubs, animation;

Bentota Beach

In our opinion, Bentota is one of best options for such a classic holiday by the sea. Here you can find all of the above requirements, with the possible exception of animation, although this is quite likely to be the case in large hotels. The bulk of vacationers in these parts are package tourists, and accordingly, everything is “tailored” for them.
Bentota Beach is not a “bounty”, but it is very beautiful - a 3-kilometer arc of sand, in places several tens of meters wide. The size of the beach allows you to always find a place where you can retire and enjoy peace, even at the height of the season. The sand is light and clean.
Entry into the water is smooth, the bottom is excellent. The water is a little cloudy, but here this is due not so much to the Bentota River flowing nearby, but to the composition of the bottom and the waves. In short, the water is a little cloudy, but clean. There are waves, sometimes strong, but the shore is safe even for children.
However, attention! The rollback of the wave creates a strong current along the coast in a northerly direction. This is not particularly dangerous, but be aware and do not leave children unattended.

Moragalla Beach (Beruwela)

Beruwela and its Moragalla beach are located north of Bentota, just across the Bentota Ganga River and stretch for about 1.5 kilometers. The location is good, but when choosing a hotel for a beach holiday, be careful. The river carries its waters along the beach and because of this, most of its half is unsuitable for the purposes of interest to us. It’s not worth settling in the southern half at all - both the beach and the water are dirty.

In the second half, near a small cape and an island, it’s already better. The water is cleaner, but very turbid, at low tide it is quite shallow, the bottom is sandy with muddy inclusions (probably river washouts). The beach is nice, wide and cleaned regularly.
In the upper third, right behind the cape, the situation changes dramatically - the water is clean, more transparent. Although the strip of sand is narrow, the shore is beautiful.
The cape has a closed water area, a kind of swimming pool, where there are almost never waves - great for children.
A little further, behind a popular and luxurious hotel Cinnamon Bey– a beautiful small bay perfect for swimming, the depth is sufficient even at low tide.
Night life There really isn’t a lot of water here, but otherwise it’s a good place for a beach holiday.

Beaches Induruwa, Kosagoda and others

Further, almost all the way to Hikkaduwa there is a string of amazingly beautiful beaches - Induruwa, Kosagoda and others. There are not many vacationers here at all, there is not a huge choice of housing either, but what is available is often very, very good. Many hotels are brand new, simple ones shine and can satisfy the requirements of the most discerning tourists, but...
There is one big “BUT”. This is where the strongest impact of the 2004 tsunami fell. Despite the fact that more than 10 years have passed since the tragedy and the shore has almost “healed all wounds”, the atmosphere here is very different from other beaches in Sri Lanka.
Traveling around the island, we read practically nothing and knew nothing about the disaster that year. Having left Hikkaduwa in the direction of Bentota, at first we could not understand why we were suddenly overcome by a feeling of incomprehensible sadness, despite the beauty and wonderful weather reigning all around.
There was a subconscious feeling that we were moving through places where there was a war, there were strong battles and many people died. They realized what was going on when they stopped on one of the beaches and looked around carefully - almost everywhere, in the tall grass and bushes, there were inconspicuous graves. So, throughout almost the entire journey... We found it impossible for ourselves to have fun and have fun in these places.

Hikkaduwa Beach

Hikkaduwa is perhaps the most popular place among tourists from Russia, especially among independent travelers. The place is ambiguous, on the one hand there are nice beaches (to the south of Hikkaduwa Beach), on the other there is excessive overcrowding, overcrowding, and the coastline close to the water is built up with hotels and restaurants, plus all this is squeezed between the sea and a busy highway.
Entering the water and swimming in some places may be complicated by the presence of stones. This place is more suitable not for a classic beach holiday, but for lovers of parties, bars and discos; they will be comfortable and interesting here. In short, you shouldn’t look for the relaxed, peaceful atmosphere of tropical beaches in Hikkaduwa.

If you still go here, we recommend that you stay not in Hikkaduwa itself, but a little further south in the area of Nerigama Beach, where it is a little freer and more beautiful.
If your plans include evening romantic walks along the beach, then here there is a chance to bring them to life, but in Hikkaduwa you definitely shouldn’t hope for this.

There are even fewer people south of Nerigama. And in Dodanduwa there are almost none of them at all, however, like any other tourism infrastructure.
Well, be prepared for the fact that the waves on all these beaches are significant. Hikkaduwa Beach can be considered an exception in terms of waves, but the beach there is so dirty and unattractive that we personally had no desire to swim there.

Unawantuna Beach

By popularity Russian tourists Only Hikkaduwa can compete with Unawatuna, keep that in mind. Unawatuna Beach - a relatively small area sandy shore, while it cannot boast of width. But what may amaze you is the density of vacationers per 1 sq. m., as well as the ambitions of the majority of vacationers.
However, this is a matter of personal taste, especially since most beach tourists What attracts people is not natural beauty, but the presence of developed infrastructure. Shops, banks, restaurants, bars, discos, many offers of various excursions and entertainment - all this is present here.
The main advantage of the beach itself is the absence big waves and the possibility of safe swimming. The coastline is curved in a steep arc, bent by more than 90 degrees, one of the ends of which ends in a high cape jutting into the sea and covering a significant part of the beach area from the excesses of the ocean.
The sand on the beach is good, light, but in some places it is very dirty with cigarette butts - a little digging with your hand and they are beautiful. The bottom is sandy, clean, without stones. The depth gain is fast, which allows you to swim even at the strongest low tides.
In general, it should be recognized that the conditions here are excellent for swimming. True, this applies only to 1/3 of the beach - the western one. The remaining 2/3 are not suitable for a beach holiday. Keep this in mind when choosing a hotel.

In addition to the main beach, Unuvantuna Beach, there are a couple of smaller ones called Jungle Beach. They are located on the opposite side of the peninsula. You can get to them either by tuk-tuk, driving along the highway or walking along the path from the Jungle Beach Hotel.

The beaches are positioned as Bounty - beautiful, wild nature. However, in fact, this is a purely commercial place, where all the attributes of a “civilized” holiday are at your service - sunbeds under umbrellas, a restaurant, a bar and a lot of people on a tiny, but still cute spot of sushi. But don’t forget - these beaches are located in a bay (rather closed), on the shore of which is located one of largest cities Sri Lanka - with all the consequences, as they say.

Mirissa Beach

Once again we are forced to apologize for such disrespect for the “pearl” of Sri Lanka. We visited Mirissa twice. The first time, having read odes of praise, we went there with the intention of living for five days, or even more. We stayed no more than an hour and a half and went home to look for housing elsewhere. The second time, driving by, they checked to see if we had missed something and didn’t understand it on our first visit and also didn’t stay long. Well, we categorically didn’t like her, and in order not to say anything unnecessary and untrue, we won’t write about her.

This is our review of the beaches of Sri Lanka and their description. Have a nice holiday and a well chosen place!

All beaches of Sri Lanka on the island map

updated: August 8, 2017 by: Sergei

Hello friends. Today I will talk about the beaches of Sri Lanka. About when is the best time to go to this country, beautiful in all respects for tourism. There are national nature parks and ancient cultural and architectural monuments of incredible beauty protected by UNESCO. mountain landscapes with tea plantations and, of course, beaches. After all, Sri Lanka is an island.

You can go to Sri Lanka at any time of the year and for different purposes. There are many hotels in the country with fresh pools and spa treatments where you can enjoy your holiday and not depend on the mood of the weather. You can travel to Sri Lanka either independently or through a travel agency.

In the article we briefly talked about the roads, weather, and peculiarities of the country.

It's time for a detailed story about the beaches of the island, about their pros and cons, what you can see and where to go near the beach.

Sri Lanka is lucky with its beaches. You will not have to travel more than a day and a half by train, as for example in India, to get from the beaches of the state of GOA to the beaches of Varkala. In Sri Lanka the distances are completely different. Everything happens faster and more pleasantly. The southwest of the island is dotted with beaches, the distance between which takes from 15 minutes by tuk-tuk to 2 hours by bus. You just have to choose the right one for yourself.

Important! When choosing a beach in Sri Lanka, you need to remember three things: season, geographical features and infrastructure of the island. IN different time Monsoons blow from the ocean to the island every year. In the coastal waters, high waves rise and swimming is simply impossible. Hotels temporarily stop operating and wait for the wind to change.

In October, November, December, January and February, you need to choose the beaches of the South-West coast. This is what my story is about today.

If you have plans to relax at sea from May to September, then you should think about the east coast of Sri Lanka.

You can open the map and point your finger at any beach in the southwestern part of the island. There will be no storms or huge waves there. We bring the top popular places which tourists prefer to visit. We recommend starting to get acquainted with them beach Sri Lanka. To make it easier for you to navigate, I will describe the best beaches in Sri Lanka from west to south. These beaches are equipped with good infrastructure. They have a large selection of accommodation, cafes, restaurants, entertainment and attractions.

Beaches of Sri Lanka on the map

Negombo

The beach is closest to (7 km), which in turn is 30 km away north of the capital. The beach is suitable for those who want to plunge into the water immediately upon arrival. Indian Ocean, take a break from the flight. Or vice versa - take a break from an exotic trip around the island and gain strength before a long flight home.

The long sandy strip of Negombo beach is wide. There is a lot of space, but unfortunately, umbrellas and sun loungers are mainly offered only to those staying at a coastal hotel. For independent tourists you need to either negotiate with the hotel, or think about it.

All hotels are located along the coast. The choice is large. There are more expensive ones, there are cheaper ones, there are ones closer to the shore, there are ones further away. Finding accommodation to suit your taste is very easy.

More expensive and close to the beach - Hotel Snahelo
A little cheaper, but no worse - hotel Holiday Fashion Inn
Budget guesthouse - Blue Elephant Tourist Guesthouse

Nearby attractions: You can visit the Muthurajawela Nature Reserve, which is home to about 200 species of plants and animals. The main historical values of Negombo are the old Dutch fort and the Church of the Virgin Mary. For diving enthusiasts there is a sunken ship and coral reefs.

Pros: close to the airport and the capital. Large selection of accommodation, cafes and restaurants.

Minuses: there are a lot of tourists and locals, the beach is not very clean. You can find a quiet and clean place, but sometimes it is not easy.

On the island we met people who happily spent their holidays only in this place. This is a little unclear to us. We wouldn't spend our entire holiday just in Negombo. Maximum one day for relaxation and forward to the adventures of Sri Lanka.

Mount Lavinia

The next beach, located 12 km from Colombo and 45 km from the airport, is city of the same name Mount Lavinia. This beach is also strategically suitable for those who are going to travel around Sri Lanka or, conversely, to relax before flying home. In our route around the island, we made Mount Lavnia as our starting and returning point, plus we left our winter things at the hotel here. Before flying home, they took me.

The hotel is a house with separate rooms for tourists. It is inexpensive and conveniently located. The owner is sociable and will gladly answer all questions about Sri Lanka. It will even help you plan your route. For those who choose not a vacation spot, but a convenient point of arrival and departure, we can recommend this hotel. 2 minutes walk to the beach.

Mount Lavinia Beach is a wide and long strip of sand. Umbrellas and sun loungers are available on hotel premises. Entering the water is quick. The current here is changeable. You may encounter rip currents (they are also called rip currents). The thing is unpleasant and dangerous for beginners. Keep an eye on local vacationers - if you see that there are no swimmers in some places, there is most likely a current there. Don't go there.

On the beach we met foreign tourists, as well as many local residents with children who enthusiastically built multi-tiered living pyramids, climbing on each other’s shoulders.

Mount Lavinia is a historic town built by the British. Of the surviving buildings, there is a hotel here. Mount Lavinia Hotel. It used to be the governor's house, built for the governor's mistress Lavinia. Hence the name of the resort.

What to see: Dehiwela Zoo, Bolgoda Lake, home to 45 species of fish, about 160 species of migratory and waterfowl.

Pros: much less crowded than Negombo

Minuses: rip currents, waves, many locals come on weekends and holidays.

As I wrote above, Mount Lavinia beach was chosen for strategic reasons: leave winter clothes for the entire trip, swim before long route to the center of the island. I wouldn't stay here for a long time.

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Bentota

The resort is located 80 km from Colombo and offers tourists a gorgeous long beach with golden sand. The infrastructure is well developed. The beach is considered romantic because... popular among lovers. Newlyweds often stop here and spend their honeymoon.

Bentona is located at the point where the Bentota Ganga River flows into the Indian Ocean. Therefore, the resort is divided into two parts. The calm headland to the north is Paradise Beach, and south beach where all the entertainment, cafes and restaurants are collected.

The resort has the largest water sports center and diving club. Here you can rent water skis, catamarans, scooters, canoes, and surfboards.

Stylish 5 star hotel on the coast - Paradise Road The Villa Bentota
Cheaper hotel - Ocean of Life Ayurvedic Resort
A budget option - Dimuthu Tour Inn

Among the attractions: visiting the ruins of the Galapata Vihara complex, a boat trip along the Bentota Ganga River. There is a turtle farm 3 km from the resort. It's worth going here - you'll see how little funny turtles are bred.

Pros: wide long beach, quiet, relaxing holiday, uncrowded

Minuses: waves, small selection of inexpensive accommodation, expensive holidays. Bentota is considered expensive resort, that’s why people with income prefer to visit it.

Hikkaduwa

This is our favorite beach. We spent a long time choosing a resort and decided to go to Hikkaduwa. And they were right. Hikkaduwa combines excellent beach strip, large selection of accommodation, developed infrastructure and entertainment.

In the northern part of the city there is a railway and bus station; a market where you can buy fruits and seafood.

You will find a large selection of umbrellas and sun loungers on Narigama Beach, next to the hotel Ritas Hotel and the Blue Moon restaurant. In some places there are even large double trestle beds with a roof.

On the beach you can rent a surfboard and a small board for riding the waves. By the way, there are waves, but you can swim with pleasure.

Less waves in the lagoon near the hotel Coral Sands.

In the evening, party parties are held on the beaches. The environment is relaxed and friendly

There is a large selection of accommodation on the coast from 5 stars to guesthouses. At night you can hear the sound of the ocean and sometimes the noise of a party. For those who want to sleep in silence at night, we suggest looking for accommodation on the second line, behind the road. We lived in .

From entertainment: 50 meters from the coast there is a coral reef, a good place for snorkeling. You can also take a surfboard and catch a wave. Turtles also swim into the lagoon. You can try feeding them.

Pros: a large selection of housing, cafes, restaurants, shops, a large wide beach.

Minuses: not noticed

Have been seen on the beaches independent travelers, and package tourists. We recommend this beach for a long holiday.

Unawatuna

An ideal place to relax with children and for older people. Thanks to the lagoon, there are practically no waves here. Entering the water is easy and pleasant.

The infrastructure is developed, there are cafes and restaurants along the entire coast. They also offer sun loungers and umbrellas. There are various shops and diving centers.

Cozy hotel on the seashore - La Veranda Di Serena
Cheaper hotel, also on the coast - Rock Fort Hotel
Budget guesthouse - Sam's Guest House

From Unawatuna it is easy to reach the city of Galle, where the listed fort is located world heritage UNESCO.

From entertainment: You can go snorkeling, diving (there are several sunken ships and coral reefs), and fishing from a boat.

Pros: ocean without waves, beautiful nature

Kogalla

A small resort is located 12 km from. Kogalla has a five kilometer long beach. There is a good selection of hotels from 5 stars to guesthouses.

Tourists with children, lovers, newlyweds, and diving enthusiasts like to relax here (there are diving centers on the coast)

The peculiarity of Kogalla is in the lake of the same name. It is favored by birds, fans of ecotourism and pilgrims who seek to visit ancient Buddhist sanctuaries, once built by hermits.

Coastal resort hotel - South Lake Resort
Cheaper hotel on the lake shore - Madoldu eco resort
Budget hotel on the first line - Rainbow Surf Beach

Entertainment: Those who are interested in the life and history of Sri Lanka can visit the Museum of Folk Art and Culture.

Pros: quiet cozy resort

Minuses: waves

The next beach after Koglalla is Weligama. Is in picturesque bay with golden sand. There are waves 300-400 meters from the shore. Surfers catch a wave there. The wave almost never reaches the beach.

Hotels line the entire coastline. There is a large selection to suit every budget.

Nice 5 star hotel on the beach - W15
Cheaper hotel on the coast, with a pool - We Escape
Budget guest house-villa - Diamond House

A special feature of the resort is the world-famous fishermen who catch fish while sitting on large thick sticks. They climb onto their pole, sit on the crossbar-seat and fish. You can buy the caught fish. Fishermen are a kind of show for tourists. By the way, on the beach they offer you to try fishing in this exotic way for a small fee.

Another feature is that not far from the beach there is the island of Taprobane with a small hotel.

From entertainment: take a walk around the city itself; on its streets you will see colonial mansions, Buddhist dagobas, and Catholic churches.

Sight city - a figure of the God of Death (Leper King) carved from a three-meter block.

We recommend for a stay of 3 or more days. Mirissa Beach is nearby. You can stay in Weligama for 1 night, explore it, and then go to nearby beach Mirissa and examine it. Then choose from these two beaches for a long stay.

Mirissa

Beautiful beach in the lagoon with a great sunset. There are waves in the main lagoon. There are no waves in the third lagoon (the farthest one). It's better to swim there. You can even snorkel and snorkel.

In the morning, the fish market opens in Mirissa. If you want to eat the freshest fish, get up early and go to the market.

Among the attractions: There is no entertainment as such in Mirissa, only sea and sun. There is a small rock with a viewing platform. The closest attraction is the Galle Fort.

Plus: calm and quiet

Minus: few shops

Due to the small selection of entertainment and excursions, it is ideal to just lie on the beach and swim. It seemed to us that there was nothing to do on the beach for more than 6-7 days. Need to explore other beaches.

The beaches in Tangalle seem endless. The wide sand spit stretches for several kilometers.

The resort does not have such a developed infrastructure as Hikkaduwa. Mostly tourists come here for the deserted beaches, of which there are several in Tangalle. In the northern part there are two of them: Medaketiya beach - the safest beach for swimming and Medilla. In the western part are the beaches of Goyambokka and Pallikaduwa.

There are waves in Tangella. Sometimes they make it impossible to enter the ocean at all. We recommend the beach next to the hotel Eva Lanka. There is a more or less calm bay there.

From entertainment: visit the Mulgirigala caves, Yala and Udawalawe national parks, and the Kalametiya nature reserve. Watch turtles lay eggs (from April to September) at west beach Rekawa. At the hotel, book an excursion to the whale migration site.

Pros: deserted beach, few people, close to national park Yala and other nature reserves.

Minuses: waves.

Sri Lanka beaches without waves

The southeastern part of the island of Sri Lanka is surrounded by the Indian Ocean and is quite different from the European beach resorts we know. We must remember that there will always be waves here, at any time of the year. IN winter period, from October to March, there are fewer waves.

Of the resorts that I listed above, the least waves are on Unawatuna beach (thanks to the natural bay), Mirissa (in a certain lagoon), Weligama (not throughout the entire beach). There are waves in Hikkaduwa, but they are not terrible, with the exception of stormy days, of which we encountered few. We just learned to communicate with them.

You can find out how much a holiday in Sri Lanka costs.

Sincerely,

Tatiana Solomatina

Short review beach resorts Sri Lanka

Greetings, dear readers! Despite the fact that the island is surrounded on all sides by the ocean and is accordingly rich in beaches, you need to choose a resort here especially carefully.

Don’t forget that the ocean is not a quiet lake; there are huge waves here that can ruin your vacation due to the inability to enter the water. Tourists planning to explore the beaches of Sri Lanka should carefully choose a resort.

Sri Lanka is an island in the Indian Ocean with a coastline of 1,340 km. Although beach season here lasts all year round, due to climatic conditions It is better to go to the northeast in the summer months, and to the southwest in the winter. You can read more about the island's climate.

There are many resorts in the southwest, almost all of them have good infrastructure. There are enough hotels of different levels here; it is not difficult to find very budget accommodation from local residents. In my opinion, you need to choose the beaches of Sri Lanka based on the time of year and whether the resort suits your desires.

Colombo and Negombo

Colombo and Negombo are not suitable for a beach holiday at all. It's a good place to stop for a break before a long flight or during excursions. Due to proximity big city, the ocean is dirty, nearby major metropolis with all the ensuing consequences.

Hikkaduwa

Hikkaduwa is perfect for young people and active tourists. It is located 100 km from the airport and has a well-developed infrastructure. On Fridays, one of the hotels hosts noisy beach parties. Lots of accommodations ranging from expensive hotels and ending with cheap rooms. The coastline stretches for 10 km, but the waves here are very large, and there is compressed yellow sand on the shore. Read a guide to Hikkaduwa beach.

Bentota

Bentota - wonderful resort 65 from Colombo. There are many package tours offered here. The whole city is tailored to the life of tourists, many cafes and shops, a wide choice of accommodation. The coastline is very wide, the waves are quite strong. There are small calm coves, but they are difficult to find right away. If you stay on the outskirts, then in the evening entertainment is limited only to the hotel area.

Beruwella

Beruwella is located five kilometers from Bentota, it is a young resort. Here they relax package tours, finding housing on your own is problematic. The beach holiday is the same as in Bentota, only a little less crowded and quieter. This is a favorite resort of tourists from Europe; there are expensive hotels. The coastline is very beautiful with coconut palms and white sand.

Unawatuna

Unawatuna is a small closed bay, perfect place for holidays with children. Very beautiful beach, shallow ocean, almost no waves. Everything tourists need is here; there are no noisy parties. However, there are many people because budget holiday and a swimmable ocean.

Galle is not suitable for a beach holiday at all; it is an excursion city. The beach is urban with all the ensuing consequences.

Weligama

Weligama – quiet resort place with a beautiful three-kilometer beach. However, the waves here are so strong that swimming is very difficult. There is almost nothing for vacationers. Suitable for a secluded holiday and for surf lovers.

Mirissa

Mirissa is a small town in the south of Sri Lanka. The infrastructure was built for tourists, but it is much quieter and calmer here than in Unawatuna. On central beach It is also very stormy, but there are small coves with calm water nearby. There is no entertainment after nine in the evening.

Dikwella is a small fishing town in Sri Lanka, which has a couple of expensive hotels and some private housing. The ocean is very clean and the beaches are beautiful. You can find a place without waves. For a quiet, secluded holiday, there are almost no people here.

Tangalle – Big City in the south of Sri Lanka with very beautiful beach, but swimming is impossible due to the strongest waves on the coast. The coastline is very long, you can always find a secluded place. There is no entertainment at all.

Koggala is not the most developed and popular resort Sri Lanka near Galle. There is a busy road along the coast, so you won’t feel like you’re on Bounty Island, although coconut palms grow along the coastline. All life here takes place on the beach and the main street, where there are several shops and a bank.

Beaches in northeast Sri Lanka

Trincomalee

In the northeastern region of Sri Lanka the situation is the opposite; there are few places for recreation. There is only one main resort - Trincomalee. The infrastructure here is also quite developed, but it is located very far from the international airport and getting here is not easy.

Uppuveli, Nilaveli and Arugam Bay

There are several other small villages - Uppuveli, Nilaveli and Arugam Bay (bay), but there is nothing there at all. However, magnificent beaches with snow-white sand attract tourists who prefer calm, quiet rest. Very comfortable to relax with small children. Not far from the coast there is a small coral island. It's easy to get to, local residents behind a certain fee We are happy to take everyone there.

When going on vacation to Sri Lanka, not all tourists realize that around the island is the Indian Ocean, and not a calm sea. Here gorgeous beaches with coconut trees and clean white sand, but full swimming in the ocean is possible only in small closed coves, of which there are very few here. Tourists often complain that when they go into waist-deep water, it is difficult to stand on their feet, the waves are so strong that they knock even strong men off their feet. Vacationers have to be content with walks along the coast and careful swimming near the shore.

I wrote separately how treacherous the ocean is - how I almost returned from the island as a widow, see. I recommend giving the information to your men to read; the confession of the injured husband may make them think. You can find out what else a tourist needs to know before visiting Sri Lanka in my article.”

Perhaps you have your own story of visiting Sri Lanka, write a story in the “Readers Travel” section. Read more about this. If this article was useful to you, share it with your friends on in social networks, maybe they will also want to visit this island. Leave comments and subscribe to blog updates, new readers are always welcome. With this I say goodbye to you, I hope the information helped you when choosing a beach in Sri Lanka.

Tatiana Solomatina

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