Soak up with a nice drink in hand and soak up some rays on your next trip to Sri Lanka. Take advantage of the opportunity to catch up some sunshine and indulge in some delicious seafood.
The beaches of Sri Lanka are ideal for a full recharge of body and mind. If you’re a beach bum who’s only in Sri Lanka for the beaches, you shouldn’t miss out on these spots. Here is a selection of Sri Lankan beaches guaranteed to provide a top-notch vacation experience.
Mirissa - Matara
There are plenty of places to eat and drink on Mirissa beach, and they can bring you a beer in your hammock or serve you grilled lobster right there on the sand. A visit here is practically a must. Blue whales migrate around the coast in the months of February and March, and many whale-watching tours set sail from this area.
Uppuveli - Trincomalee
One of the main draws to the long stretches of sand on Sri Lanka’s eastern coast is that they aren’t reserved exclusively for visitors. Sun worshippers put up their day-long encampments among the swaying palms, while local fisherman push their colourful wooden boats out into the Indian Ocean. At night, the beach’s few chill bars become the focal point of the scene.
Koggala - Galle
Tall poles can be seen rising from the water just a few metres off the shoreline all along the south. The stilt fisherman of Sri Lanka traditionally used these to sit on while they trolled for fish. You can climb to the top of the monument for a few rupees in exchange for a good photo opportunity. One of the best places to see them is in Koggala, a sweeping, boulder-strewn section of sand.
Nilaveli - Trincomalee
Nilaveli, a little beach resort with a wide expanse of white sand and blue waters, is a great place to get away from it all for a few days. It’s all so pristine and peaceful. Boat cruises to Pigeon Island National Park, where visitors can snorkel or dive among turtles and 300 species of fish in the park’s coral reef, are a major draw for visitors.
Hiriketiya - Matara
The town of Hiriketiya has experienced significant growth over the past few years, and as a result, there are now a number of boutique hotels, craft stores, yoga courses, and cafés that serve flat whites and vegan burgers in the area. These establishments were opened with the intention of providing activities for tanned and toned surfers when they are not in the water. Swimming is a fun activity that can be enjoyed at Hirikitiya thanks to the gorgeous beach that winds its way around a horseshoe-shaped bay that provides protection.
Kosgoda - Galle
Seeing thousands of newborn turtles all at once make a mad run for the ocean is a sight no one will soon forget. Kosgada on the west coast of Sri Lanka is the place to go if you want a more planned experience, while there are several beaches in the country where turtles nest. During the months of November through May, you can visit the small conservation facility and hatchery to see newborn green sea turtles released.
Kalpitiya - Puttalam
If you’re looking for a beach vacation that also includes water activities, Kalpitiya is a great option. Kite-surfing is the activity at hand, and there are many stores that can get you set up for your first time on the waves. The peak wind months are May through September. Between November and April, visitors can view a new kind of aquatic life: thousands of dolphins playing in the sea.
Marakolliya - Hambantota
Marakolliya is the stuff of beach fantasy, with its swaying coconut trees and long stretch of beautiful sand bathed by blue waves. This is a good place if you’re looking for peace and quiet; compared to other south coast beaches, it sees very few visitors, possibly because it has only one restaurant. If you look closely, you might be able to make out some flipper tracks on the sand, as turtles typically arrive at night to nest.
Goyambokka - Matara
The finest sand, shaped like the moon, framed by palm trees, with waves of turquoise water lapping at the shore, and a few of hidden beach bars selling coconut water and beer. Goyambokka has everything you need. Better yet, you won’t have to tell many people about it, so it feels a little bit like a secret.
Arugam Bay - Ampara
Arugam Bay on the east coast is the best place to spend a few days if chill surf culture is what you’re after. From April through September, surfers from all over the world flock here to ride the waves at what are largely regarded as Sri Lanka’s top breakers. The resort’s affordability, convenient location, and plenty of beach parties are just some of the reasons it’s so well-liked.
Bentota - Galle
Bentota, a well-established resort, is a favorite among families due to its abundance of services, including boutique hotels, restaurants serving fresh seafood and Sri Lankan curries, and activity outfitters providing anything from boat safaris to windsurfing and jet-skiing. The beach, a long stretch of buttery sand framed by natural plants, is pretty great, too.
Pasikuda - Batticaloa
One of the best places to go swimming in the ocean is at Pasikuda, which is located in the Easton area of Sri Lanka. Calm, shallow waters will surround a crescent of white sand lined with palm trees, making for excellent swimming conditions. In recent years, this area has seen construction, mostly consisting of low-rise hotels that complement the surrounding landscape. If you keep strolling south along the sand, you’ll reach Kalkudah, another serene stretch of beach that’s noticeably less crowded than its neighbor to the north.
Negombo Beach - Negombo
Negombo is only a 30-minute car ride from Colombo International Airport, making it an ideal location to recover from a long flight or spend the final days of your vacation. Hotels, restaurants, and gift shops dot the beachfront, while watersports like snorkeling, windsurfing, and boat tours of the lagoon are available nearby. If you want to catch the sunset while sipping a beer or beverage, you need get there early.