The amazingly beautiful island of Sri Lanka with a heavenly picture of slender coconut palms, bright colors of blooming greenery and flowers, an emerald blue ocean and colorful juicy fruits. My eyes widen when and For your convenience, a detailed overview - the beaches of Sri Lanka on a map with a description. A separate list of beaches without waves. And also the pros and cons of resorts.
All beaches on the map
Resort towns, villages, and beaches of Sri Lanka are marked with a yellow asterisk on the map. Some places are not very suitable for relaxation: dirty shore, powerful waves, close proximity to the railway and other disadvantages. More details in the review.
Let's start from the western part, smoothly moving to the east. Conventionally, from Maravilla to Tangalle. Next are the eastern and northern resorts - from Tangalle to Trincomalee.
Maravilla
Maravilla Beach Read more about. A significant advantage of this resort is its close location to the airport and Colombo. Maravilla beach is not crowded and is suitable for lovers of peace and tranquility. There are hotels along the coastline where the entrance to the water is cleared - there are no rocks or coral reefs. You can stay on these beaches without any problems without staying on the hotel premises.
The waves are small, the entry into the water is sharp - literally 5-10 steps and you can feel the depth.
Maravilla beach is suitable for swimming with children (under supervision).
Fishermen in Negombo Like Maravilla, the beach is in demand among many tourists due to its close location to the airport. Of course, it is beautiful here - a wide, long beach framed by tropical vegetation, coconut palms, fishing boats. Here you can take beautiful photos. However, there is a minus: the shore is not very clean. The garbage that fishermen pull out with nets often remains lying on the sand. And, of course, it greatly spoils the heavenly picture.
There are waves, which is definitely not suitable for long swimming.
Conclusion: Negombo is only suitable as an intermediate point - to rest for 1-2 days after a long flight. And go to the cleaner and more beautiful beaches of Sri Lanka.
Colombo
Embankment in Colombo The beach in Colombo is only suitable for walking along the promenade or having a picnic. The water here is dirty and there is garbage floating in the ocean. The sand is clean, although in some places you can find plastic that is washed ashore by the current. The locals are not too fond of the ocean; rarely anyone decides to swim. Sri Lankans go on holiday to neighboring Negombo or Mount Lavinia.
Mount Lavinia
The beach at Dehiwala Mount Lavinia has a nice name, but not a very nice “picture”. The place is not touristic. Although in the city you can find hotels, local travel agencies, rent a bike, water equipment - everything you need for your first acquaintance with the island and life on it.
For the most part, locals relax here, coming from the capital Colombo for weekends or holidays.
Dirty beach, muddy water, close location of the recreation area to the railway - you definitely shouldn’t go here for a long time!
Wadduwa
Wadduwa Beach Wadduwa Beach is loved by travel agencies - a large flow of Russian tourists goes here. One of the reasons for such love is the close location to the airport - about 40 km. The infrastructure here is well developed: you can get to the city by taxi, bus, or train. There are a lot of hotels, guest houses, and restaurants in Wadduwa to suit every taste.
The beach is clean, the water is clean. Waves are present, although there are small areas where the water is calm.
Kalutara
Kalutara Beach Read more. Kalutara beach is conventionally divided into two zones: southern and northern. On the southern side, the entry into the water is gentle, and the depth can be felt sharply. This is especially unpleasant when the ocean is stormy (which happens often). If you don’t know this feature of the beach, then a wave can suddenly cover you completely. Naturally, children should not enter the water without parental supervision.
On the north side, which just happens to be not popular with tourists, the ocean is calmer. And the entry into the water is not so steep.
The ocean in Kalutra is clean and the temperature is pleasant for swimming.
Conclusion: the northern part of Kalutara beach is ideal for relaxation!
Beruwela
Palm trees on the shore of Beruwela Beruwala is one of the new resorts in Sri Lanka. Relatively recently, hotels and restaurants designed for tourists began to appear here. The village is growing, and with it the popularity of the settlement.
Families with children choose holidays in Beruwela - the ocean is calm and clean, there are no powerful waves. Light yellow sand without debris and stones. The path into the water is gentle.
It’s actually beautiful here - a bright combination of rich colors: the sun, green palm trees, yellow coconuts, turquoise ocean, colorful fish in the ocean near the coral reefs! Another plus is that turtles swim to the shore several times a day. Reptiles are in search of tasty algae, which tourists happily feed.
Ambalangoda
Beach in Ambalangoda Usually the city of Ambalangoda is not visited for a beach holiday. The beach here is small and the ocean is rough. Moreover, neighboring Hikkaduwa, which can be quickly reached by bus, tuk-tuk or train, offers much more interesting entertainment.
Conclusion: neighboring Hikkaduwa wins.
Hikkaduwa
Hikkaduwa Beach Hikkaduwa Beach is one of the best in Sri Lanka! There is everything you need for a quality and interesting holiday. Hikkaduwa is an incredibly beautiful beach that stretches for several kilometers. Here you can not only lie on the sand or sun loungers, but also take surfing lessons, rent a board, get acquainted with the underwater world - diving, watch the fish in the coral reefs (they can be seen with or without a mask), do yoga on the coast., go jogging or just enjoy a long walk along kilometers of beautiful beach.
Feeding turtles (free fun) Hikkaduwa has a bay behind a coral reef that is suitable for swimming with children. It is located in the National Coral Reserve near the fish market. The entrance is free.
Conclusion: perfect beach! Part of the beach (Narigama, Hikkaduwa) is surfing and swimming in the waves, the second part (Hikkaduwa, coral reef) is swimming with children, diving, snorkeling.
Halle
Embankment in Halle If we talk about, then there are no suitable beaches for swimming here. There is only an embankment near the Fort, which is nice to stroll along in the morning or evening, when there is no scorching sun.
If they tell you about a beach in Galle, then they are most likely talking about Jungle Beach, which is nearby. It also belongs to the beaches of Unawatuna, since this village is located close to Galle.
Conclusion: There is no swimming beach in Halle.
Jungle Beach
Jungle Beach near Galle, Unawatuna Jungle Beach can be reached by tuk-tuk or scooter from the city of Galle or the village of Unawatuna. From Unawatuna - walk in 20 minutes.
The location of the beach is interesting - you need to go down to it along a road running through the jungle. The beach is clean, but there are stones on the sand and in the water. You should enter the water carefully, and it is better to see in advance where local or experienced travelers enter.
There are no waves.
Conclusion: Jungle Beach is a good place to relax with children, but you need to know where to get into the water.
Unawatuna
Wonderful is located in a lagoon formed by a coral reef. The most beautiful place: clean light yellow sand strewn with small pebbles and shells, the ocean is calm - the waves are moderate. The beach is suitable for families with children.
Here you can go diving - look at the sunken ship and schools of colorful fish and turtles. Ride a water scooter.
Conclusion: Unawatuna is suitable for families with children.
Koggala
Waves in Koggala Detailed. Beautiful, uncrowded beach. There are no noisy bars and an abundance of restaurants on the coast. Therefore, Koggala will appeal more to lovers of a relaxing holiday.
Strong waves are favorable for surfing. Other water activities include snorkeling, diving, and pole fishing.
Ahangama is a small village in the south of Sri Lanka. There are a small number of hotels and restaurants, so Ahangama is not very popular among tourists. Surfing fans come here - powerful waves allow water sports enthusiasts to enjoy it 100%.
The beach is beautiful, without garbage, but the ocean is stormy. Local residents swim near the shore, where the water level is literally ankle-deep. Tourists swim further away - crossing the zone of strong waves, where the ocean is calmer.
Conclusion: there are waves.
Weligama
Ocean in Weligama Weligama is located a few kilometers from Ahangama. But the ocean here is strikingly different: Weligama beach is located in a bay and is closed from the powerful ocean current. That's why there are no waves here. Feel free to go here on vacation with your children.
Mirissa
Beach in Mirissa The beaches of Mirissa are very popular among tourists. The city has a well-developed infrastructure and is crowded. A really beautiful beach: tall coconut palms along the shore, bright blue sky and turquoise ocean, clean sand. The only negative is the main part of the ocean with waves.
Not far from Mirissa there is a sand spit. A cove has naturally formed on this side and has no waves. Children enjoy swimming here.
Mirissa for children and family holidays.
Matara
Temple in the middle of the ocean in Matara Matara is a large city in southern Sri Lanka. The infrastructure here is well developed: railway, hospitals, large stores (and even a shopping street), banks. However, beach recreation is not developed in Matara. It is difficult to answer the question “why”? Perhaps the city lives off a different budget.
The beach is located near a coral reef, so there are no waves. Mostly locals swim, and even those swim rarely. The Matara embankment is more suitable for pleasant, romantic walks and beautiful photos.
From Matara people go to swim and sunbathe in Tangalle, Dikwella, Mirissa.
Volleyball in Dickwella Lovers of a relaxing holiday, hurry up to enjoy the silence and sparseness of Dikwella beach. There are rarely “package tourists” here. Moreover, there is only one large hotel and several guest houses on the coast, so you definitely won’t see a large flow of tourists.
The beach is roughly divided into two parts: on one side there is a coral reef with an incredibly beautiful underwater world - there are no waves here, on the other side there is a wide beach with a strong current.
A unique place! Suitable for traveling with small children.
The downside is that the village of Dikwella is located far from the airport.
Tangalle
Palm grove in Tangalle A large city in the southern province of Tangalle, it is located 35 km from Matara and 200 km from Colombo. Due to the considerable distance from the airport, the beaches of Tangalle are not oversaturated with tourists. There is a lot to see here though!
Out of season, in a few hours of walking, you will not meet a single person on the beach.
Tangalle Beach is an amazing picture, but it will be difficult to swim due to the powerful waves. This resort will appeal to fans of morning and evening walks and jogging. The sunsets here are incredible. It's more interesting on the shore than in the water.
Conclusion: not for children.
Hambantota, although located off the coast of the Indian Ocean, is not a tourist resort. Travelers stop here who want to get acquainted with famous natural attractions: Yala Park, Udawalawe Park, Ussangoda, Kataragama temples, and other resorts of the island.
Arugam Bay
Waterfront at Arugam Bay The town of Arugam Bay is a developed, tourist destination popular with travelers visiting the country during the summer months. July, August, September are high season in this part of the island.
On the coast there are cafes, restaurants, budget guesthouses, luxury hotels. There are rental points for water equipment. Arugam Bay offers surfing.
Amazingly clean and beautiful beach. Surf hangout.
Arugam Bay Beach is child friendly. There is a calm lagoon where the waves are relatively “quiet”. Locals, as well as visiting families with children, swim here.
The large city of Kalmunai is still recovering from the tsunami in 2004 and the civil war that ended in 2009. The coastal zone is dirty - plastic waste that is thrown ashore by the ocean current is rarely cleaned up. From time to time on the shore you can smell a fishy smell - there are many fishing boats here, and the unnecessary part of the catch remains to wait for its time on the sand.
If you are traveling to this side of the island of Sri Lanka, it is better to drive a little further and stop at the beautiful beaches of Trincomalee.
Conclusion: not suitable for relaxation.
Batticaloa is not considered a tourist destination. Although the fishing village is located on the shores of the Indian Ocean, there is no beach holiday here as such. As is the case with the city of Kalmunai, it is better to go on holiday to Trincomalee or Pasikuda.
The beaches are calm and uncrowded. On weekends and holidays, locals relax on the coast.
Ocean with waves.
Trincomalee
Coral reef in Trincomalee The pearl of the north-eastern coast. The pristine beauty of the tropics! Uniquely beautiful beaches.
You can often find a description that Trincomalee is a sparsely populated resort. However, this is not the case - during the season there are tourists here, although not as many as in the popular Hikkaduwa or Mirissa.
The famous beaches of Trincomalee are Upuveli (4 km from the city) and Nilaveli (12 km from the city).
Upeveli is a beach where there are no waves! The purest, fine sand, the ocean is also crystal clear, a pleasant bright blue color, the water temperature is ideal.
There are also no waves on the Nilaveli beaches; the entrance to the water is gentle. The bulk of vacationers are locals who visit the beaches on weekends and holidays. Nice, clean, not crowded.
Conclusion: a wonderful place to relax with children.
Beaches of Sri Lanka on the map without waves
The beaches of Sri Lanka without waves are only in those places where the water area is surrounded by a coral reef. Or in naturally formed lagoons.
List of beaches without waves - read a more detailed review here:
- Marawila
- Kalutara (northern part)
- Beruwela
- Hikkaduwa
- Jungle Beach
- Unawatuna
- Weligama
- Mirissa
- Trincomalee
Season and weather, when to go
The southern and western part of the island welcomes visitors to the island from mid-late November to mid-late April. Ideally - December, January, February. The air temperature during the season is on average 30C. Water - 28C.
The eastern and northern parts have good weather in the spring and summer months - March, July, June, August, early September. The most popular resorts in this part of the island are Trincomalee and Arogam Bay.
Dirty beaches where you shouldn't go
List of beaches where you should not stay for a long time:
- Matara
- Colombo
- Mount Lavinia (1-2 days)
- Negombo (as an intermediate point)
You will rarely meet a person who does not associate the words “sea”, “sandy beach”, “palm trees” with an ideal vacation. Places where all this is available are often called paradises.
Sri Lanka boasts an abundance of such places, but the Indian Ocean is not always welcoming to tourists. Its huge waves can ruin all the fun. So let's try to figure out which beaches in Sri Lanka can boast a calm ocean and no waves.
To prevent a family vacation from turning into constant worry about the children, you want to see a beach with a gentle slope, without strong waves, and with soft sand. The following places fit these requirements well:
1. Wadduwa. One of the most popular beaches in Sri Lanka. It has a well-developed infrastructure, clean sand, and excellent service in hotels. There is a lot of entertainment and swimming pools for children. Most hotels have a package holiday policy and are distinguished by excellent service.
2. Unawatuna. Located in a small calm bay, protected from the ocean. Big waves are very rare here. The western part is shallow and very suitable for families with children. The proximity of the reef makes it possible to enjoy snorkeling. There is a good selection of cafes and restaurants nearby, and in the evening they open on the shore itself.
3. Beruwela. Located on the west coast, next to the ancient city. Now the infrastructure of the young resort is rapidly developing here. The beach stretches for 130 km. The swimming season is year-round, there are almost no waves. The coastline is not crowded and is suitable for relaxing family leisure.
Secluded holiday
For those tired of the city bustle and crowds, we can recommend the following beaches in Sri Lanka. They cannot boast of such a calm ocean as the first trinity, but they have their undeniable advantages.
1. Madilla. The extensive sandy coastline is perfect for a relaxed, quiet holiday admiring the ocean. There are few hotels and cafes here, but everything can be found on the nearby beach, Tangalle. There is also the opportunity to observe turtles that have chosen the coast to lay eggs.
2. Tangalle. Despite the fact that there are a sufficient number of hotels on this long and wide beach, it attracts with its privacy and incredibly beautiful views. A successful combination of comfort and untouched nature. The disadvantages include frequent waves and deep entry into the water.
3. Dickwella. An ideal quiet place to “go away”. Poorly developed infrastructure, high waves, slightly rocky shore. At the same time, amazingly beautiful landscapes that inspire creative people.
For active recreation
The island has many corners for those who do not like a “lying down” quiet holiday, but prefer to spend time on their favorite or new hobbies. After all, young and energetic people don’t care about high waves and other whims of the ocean.
1. Bentota. A sandy, gently sloping beach for a respectable holiday with excellent infrastructure, diving schools, spa centers, many excursions, and river safaris. Popular with newlyweds.
2. Hikkaduwa. The most popular beach in Sri Lanka among young people, a favorite place for surfers. There are many types of entertainment for young people, discos, bars, parties on the beach, surf schools, excursion bureaus, etc. The presence of a coral reef also attracts amateurs here. There are also deserted, quiet areas where you can enjoy birdsong and nature.
3. Vijaya Beach. Narrow beach with strong waves. A good place for young people. There are surf schools. The infrastructure is designed for the middle price segment.
4. Arugam bey. A surfer's paradise. Has everything you need for, like Hikkaduwa, but more attractive prices. There is a national park nearby Yala, where various excursions are organized.
Of course, this division is approximate, because each of the listed and many other beaches in Sri Lanka have other advantages, and sometimes disadvantages. But undoubtedly, Sri Lanka fits into the concept of a place for an ideal vacation.
The beach got its name from the nearby resort town of the same name. This place fascinates with its romance, which is why newlyweds especially love it.
There are two parts. The northern one (aka Paradise) separates the Bentota Lagoon from the Indian Ocean. South will delight tourists with hotels and water activities.
Those interested can rent a banana and a catamaran, a scooter and water skis. Services also include surfing and boat trips. You don’t have to worry about safety: the entertainment takes place not in the ocean, but in the calm waters of the lagoon. Another local pride is the Confifi Marina diving club.
The place for diving into the water was chosen ideally: a short distance from the shore, no strong current and good visibility. Getting here is easy. Colombo, the unofficial capital of Sri Lanka, is 65 kilometers away.
Planning a trip? That way!We have prepared some useful gifts for you. They will help you save money while preparing for your trip.
Unawatuna
The beach is located near the small fishing village of Unawatuna, near the provincial town of Galle. You won’t find sophisticated resort entertainment or luxury hotel complexes here: tourists mostly stay in small guesthouses. However, this stretch of coastline is an ideal place for those who are tired of the crowds of people along the coastline.
Pure golden sand and clear azure water - this is how Unawatuna can be described in a few words. There is no safer place for swimming on the entire island: the double coral reef serves as a reliable barrier from large waves.
The right one is suitable for those who just want to relax in peace and quiet. There is a sandier shore and a gentle entrance to the water. Cafes and restaurants located along the coast provide umbrellas and sunbeds for rent. On the beach you can enjoy lush exotic vegetation, and palm trees grow right on the shore.
Mirissa
A beach in the south of Sri Lanka, 25 kilometers from Matara, the nearest large city. It is famous for its picturesqueness, but it cannot be called wild. There are several villages nearby where you can rent a private house or stay in a hotel. There are sun loungers on the shore; you can take refuge from the heat in small cafes and restaurants. For lovers of active nightlife there are discos.
The beach is completely sandy, there are very few pebbles and shells, so you can safely walk barefoot without fear of hurting your feet. The entrance to the water is quite shallow: the depth begins only at a distance of 20-30 meters from the shore. The waves are big, but closer to the coastline they lose their strength. The main local attraction is a high rock with an observation deck from where you can see the beautiful surroundings.
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 protected by UNESCO, as well as incredibly beautiful 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. All you have to do is choose the one that suits you.
Important! When choosing a beach in Sri Lanka, you need to remember three things: the season, geographical features and infrastructure of the island. At different times of the year, monsoons blow from the ocean to the island. 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 present the top popular places that tourists prefer to visit. We recommend starting your acquaintance with beach Sri Lanka with them. 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 located 30 km north of the capital. The beach is suitable for those who want to plunge into the Indian Ocean immediately upon arrival and 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. Independent tourists 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 is located 12 km from Colombo and 45 km from the airport, in the town 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 both foreign tourists and many local residents with children who were enthusiastically building 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: to leave winter clothes for the entire trip, to swim before the long route to the center of the island. I wouldn't stay here for a long time.
Friends, now we are in Instagram. A channel about travel and travel stories. As well as life hacks, useful tips, routes and ideas for your travels. Subscribe, we are interested)
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 cape in the north is Paradise Beach, and the southern beach is 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 an expensive resort, so 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 an excellent beach strip, a large selection of housing, developed infrastructure and entertainment.
In the northern part of the city there are railway and bus stations; 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
Both independent travelers and package tourists were seen on the beaches. 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 UNESCO World Heritage Fort is located.
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. Located in a 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 shore - 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, then go to the neighboring Mirissa beach and explore 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 nearest attraction is the fort at Galle.
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) on the western beach of Rekawa. At the hotel, book an excursion to the whale migration site.
Pros: deserted beach, few people, close to Yala National Park 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, 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,
12/30/2016 at 15:18 · Pavlofox · 2 040
The best beaches in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is rightfully considered one of the most heavenly places on Earth. There are many beaches with sandy shores, incredibly clear and clean water, shady palm trees and amazingly beautiful landscapes. Lovers of exotic and active beach holidays should definitely visit this place.
Included in the top ten best beaches in sri lanka for relaxation in winter. The rating is based on traveler reviews.
10. Bentota
The most famous beach in Sri Lanka is not a cheap holiday destination; as a rule, either newlyweds come here from all over the world for a romantic honeymoon, or wealthy people come here to celebrate big dates. Bentota is an ideal place for water sports.
9.
One of the ten best beaches in Sri Lanka. At this Sri Lankan resort you will find golden sandy beaches, coconut palms, 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.
8.
Sri Lanka's most premium beach resort. There are no guesthouses and, as a result, backpackers, but there are five-star hotels and expensive restaurants. On the beaches (they stretch from the city of Beruwella for more than 100 kilometers) there are umbrellas, sun loungers and tables on which dishes with fresh fruit are displayed. Many hotels have Ayurvedic and spa centers. In addition to Russians, rich families from India and the Netherlands often stay in Beruwella (after all, Ceylon was a Dutch colony for a long time). The beaches here are wonderful: white sand, clear azure water and palm trees. By the way, the waves here are low and the water is warm all year round.
7.
A long picturesque sandy and absolutely clean beach. Many comfortable hotels have been built here and a huge amount of entertainment is offered, both on land and on water: windsurfing, diving and kite surfing. The latter is quite relevant, since the sea here is usually rough and wavy.
6.
One of the best beach resorts in Sri Lanka. This is a great place to relax, which, moreover, is one of the ten best places in the world for surfing. The huge sandy beach, safe even for inexperienced swimmers, extends to the high cliff of Crocodile Rock, from where wild elephants can often be seen. Arugam Bay is surrounded by jungle, lakes and wet wetlands nearby, resulting in a special microclimate and low rainfall.
5.
A huge and beautiful beach, it consists of several conventional parts. You can swim on it, but not everywhere, because somewhere there are very big waves, a joy for surfers, and somewhere there are fishing boats. The sand is wonderful, fluffy, the color of coffee with milk. Hikkawooda is very clean. On the coastline, among the palm trees, there are hotels and guesthouses, cafes and restaurants.
4.
A small but very picturesque beach in Sri Lanka. Dikwella is one of the most peaceful, idyllic beaches on the island, where newlyweds would not mind going: their honeymoon will be stunningly beautiful and secluded. The length of the beach is 3 km. Dikwella Beach is one of those where it is convenient and pleasant to swim. The western part is best suited for this, since in the center the waves are relatively large, and in the east there are many stones. You can also go scuba diving here. There are practically no large hotels in the village of the same name: only one hotel complex and several guesthouses. Local cafes serve seafood dishes. The entire southern coast is very picturesque, it is indented with bays of all kinds, rocky in places, large boulders protrude onto the shore, on which the waves break.
3.
This is one of the most beautiful beach spots in the south, and although the resort is well known, it is never overcrowded with tourists. The beaches here are very beautiful and very deserted, and sometimes you might think that there is no one else on the long coastline except you. But at the same time, this is one of the worst places for swimming due to constant large waves, perhaps the most wavy in the entire south. This is simply an ideal place for those who just want to enjoy the ocean and do nothing, but active people may find it very boring here. The tourism infrastructure here is poorly developed. There are plenty of hotels here, but there is no separate tourist area. There are few restaurants and cafes for tourists.
2.
One of the three best beaches in Sri Lanka. Mirissa is very beautiful, there is snow-white sand, palm trees hang over the ocean, greenery along the entire coast. The beach begins and ends with hills, as if limiting the territory. For lovers of walking, there is the opportunity to walk towards Matara, along the coastline for a very long time. On the way you will see 2 more coves with a calmer ocean, expensive hotels, and a hill made entirely of iron ore. Just behind the hill there is a village, which is carved right into this hill, all red.
1.
Completes the ranking of the best beaches in Sri Lanka. According to the Discovery Channel, this beach is among the top ten in the world. The resort does not have large tourist complexes or luxury hotels; most of the vacationers here are “savages” who come for a month or more. This is an absolutely safe place for swimming: the entire coast is sandy, there are no strong currents here, and the entrance to the sea is gentle. This was once a wild beach, but tourists quickly made their way here, and in high season it gets quite crowded. True, this did not particularly affect the beach infrastructure. Of course, there are some beach cafes, umbrellas and sunbeds for rent, and even a shower and toilet. However, the feeling of a “wild beach” remains to this day.
