10 Best Beaches in Sri Lanka

Explore our list of best beaches in Sri Lanka, and choose to visit this exotic destination for a soothing experience. You can also choose to stay at one of the best beach resorts in Sri Lanka, for added enjoyment.

Bentota Beach in Sri Lanka: Head to Bentota beach for an extraordinary experience amidst an ordinary setup, soak yourself in the ordinary golden sand, and cherish the soothing sound of the mighty Indian Ocean crashing against the shores. Savour the spellbinding view of the sea, and break the monotony of the routine partaking in adventure sports for an unforgettable experience.

Mirissa Beach: Enjoy a candid rendezvous with whales while you visit to Mirissa Beach. With a plenty of guesthouses for tourists to stay in, here you may experience a soothing sojourn while lounging on the sand, or taking a gentle stroll around the curving coast. Grab a chance to see the strip transform into a giant beach party while savouring buffet dinners of fresh seafood on a New Year’s Eve. And, during December to March period, you may enjoy watching whale.

Hikkaduwa Beach: Even a 90 year old will feel young as he steps onto the beach of Hikkaduwa, and feel as rejuvenated as the charm of the hippy mood will get into your blood. Flooded with predominantly young travellers, this sparsely populated beach is one of the best beaches in Sri Lanka if you are looking for an offbeat destination.

Unawatuna Beach: Looking for a stunning option where you may enjoy surfing and some leisure time along the beach? Then, head to Unawatuna in Sri Lanka, which is part of a strip known as the Galle town beaches. So, while you visit to this beach, you may also stop by the World Heritage-listed Galle Fort which lies in its vicinity. Enjoy your book, or cherish your rice and curry, or spot a sea turtle while swimming. Choose to enjoy a sojourn here between December and March to avoid the rainy season. Complemented with a lazy sandy idyll, grab a chance to relax your senses in the sparkling waters of Unawatuna beach. You may also choose to indulge in water sports such as diving and snorkelling for some adrenaline rush.

Negombo Beach: For a quick stopover just after you arrive at Colombo, head to Negombo beach which is just 10 kms away from the airport. Due to the proximity to the capital, this place gets pretty crowded during December and April. So, if you are feeling hot and want to swim, then this beach you must definitely visit to. Here, you may also gorge some of the best fishes. For, most of the fishing is done not from the open sea but from the northern end of the lagoon.

Mount Lavinia Beach: Located just 12 kms south of central Colombo, go aghast with a visit to Mount Lavinia Beach which remains untouched by the damaging effects of industrialisation. Famed for its fun nightlife, it’s one of the most sought-after beaches in Sri Lanka. Replete with the  golden sand, you may enjoy your leisure time for a memorable experience. And later, you  may choose to head to nearby Barracuda Reef which is a great scuba diving sight. You can enjoy great seafood here.

Weligama Beach: This is the perfect place for watersports lovers. Ideal for surfing and water skiing, Weligama Beach is very popular among people of all ages and people from all walks of life. It has something or the other to offer for everybody, be it watersports, food stalls, peaceful lagoons and more.

Galle: Galle is also a great beach, and although it remains crowded throughout the year. The architectural beauty that can be seen near Galle Beach, in the form of churches and museums, is an added bonus to this already beautiful place. It is truly a must visit when in Sri Lanka.

Induruwa Beach: Although a lesser known beach in Sri Lanka, Induruwa beach is one of the most prettiest beaches in Sri Lanka, in terms of scenic beauty all around. There are scores of small villages near by, as well stalls serving authentic local cuisine.

Koggala Beach: Koggala Beach is a hidden paradise for nature and wildlife lovers. This is one of the only beaches where one can see rare species of turtles, such as the Leathery Turtle and the Loggerheads. There is plenty more here to see such as spice plantations, museums and buddhist temples.