Sri Lanka is one of the most popular beach holiday destinations in Asia. This island has miles of stunning beaches. However, you will not find beaches in Sri Lanka with white sand like those in the Maldives. At best, you can relax on a beach with light yellow sand.
In this article, we will introduce you to some of the best sandy beaches in Sri Lanka, which are covered with light but not white sand.

Unawatuna

The resort of Unawatuna, located in the south of Sri Lanka, has gained its high popularity among tourists primarily due to its beautiful beach. Although this resort area has almost everything a tourist needs, even interesting historical sites, the main attraction of this resort is its stunning light sand beach, which is well suited for swimming due to its location in a small bay, which guarantees relatively calm waters for most of the of the year. If you are interested in white sand beaches in Sri Lanka, then you should pay attention to Unawatuna Beach. The sand here may not be white, but it is quite light, and the beach itself is suitable for “Bounty” style photos.

Bentota

If light sand on the beach is one of the main criteria when choosing a place to relax, then we advise you to pay attention to Bentota Beach, which is often chosen by tourists who want to enjoy sunbathing and water sports. Alternatively, you can also go on a boat safari on the Bentota River, which connects to the lagoon. During the boat ride, you can see a variety of birds and admire the mangrove scenery.

Hikkaduwa

The town of Hikkaduwa was famous among foreigners back in the 1970s. These days, the resort is considered one of the noisiest places on the west coast of Sri Lanka. What attracts crowds of tourists to this resort? Its popularity is facilitated by the famous coral gardens and beautiful sandy beach. Although the sand on the beach is not white like in the Maldives, its color is still quite pleasant. True, there is no feeling of being on Bounty Beach, mainly due to the fact that it is a rather crowded beach.
The resort of Hikkaduwa is also famous for its nightlife. Although there is not a wide variety of stylish clubs and disco bars here, as in Colombo, Hikkaduwa still stands out from other tourist resorts in terms of nightlife.

Negombo

About ten kilometers from Bandaranaike Airport and an hour's drive from the center of Colombo, Negombo offers plenty of entertainment and a beautiful beach with light yellow sand. There are plenty of fun things to do in Negombo, including trips around the lagoon and exploring the architectural remains of the colonial era, including St. Mary's Church, the remains of an old Dutch fort and attractive mansions along the main street.
Negombo beach is quite wide, so it can accommodate many vacationers who come here mainly from Colombo.

Tangalle

On the southern coast of Sri Lanka you will find the beautiful Tangalle Beach. It looks like most people imagine a beach on a tropical island - swaying palm trees, light sand and turquoise waters. However, this area is famous not only for its beautiful beach. There are also interesting sights here. For example, you can visit the famous Buddha statue, an ancient rock monastery, or a bird sanctuary.

Mirissa

Mirissa Beach is considered one of the most beautiful in Sri Lanka. The main reason for this beauty is that there is no rapid development here like some other places. In addition, many tourists are attracted by the light and very soft sand of this beach. Despite its relative underdevelopment, the resort of Mirissa can offer stylish mini-hotels and good restaurants. There are also traditional village restaurants that serve inexpensive and tasty dishes.

Arugam Bay

Although the beach at Arugam Bay is popular primarily among surfers, tourists who just want to swim and relax on a beautiful beach with light sand also come here. While beaches on the east coast are suitable for swimming between May and September, Arugam Bay offers swimming almost all year round.

Uppuveli and Nilaveli

The beaches of Uppuveli and Nilaveli, which are located in the east of Sri Lanka, near the city of Trincomalee, remained untouched during the long civil war. Palm trees, golden sands, fishing boats and a distinct lack of crowds are what you'll find on these beaches. There are few places to stay here, which means that the atmosphere on the beach always remains calm and quiet.

Kalutara, located 40 km south of Colombo, on the Kalu Ganga (“Black River”), was once an important center for the spice trade. Today it is a modern resort town with extensive opportunities for water sports and beach recreation. Here you can go water skiing, windsurfing, kite surfing, sailing, spearfishing, and take a fascinating excursion along the Kalu Ganga River, covered with mangroves.

The main attraction of Kalutara is the huge Buddhist stupa (round temple) Kalutara Vihara, built in 1960 on the southern bank of the river near the bridge. This is the only hollow stupa in the world. Inside you can see 72 paintings from the life of Buddha, several statues and a huge panoramic window overlooking the river and the city. During the winter festival of Navam Perahera, a grand procession takes place here with the participation of a large temple elephant, dancers, torchbearers and monks.

“Mecca” for divers and club life lovers, a popular resort with developed infrastructure and a beautiful wide beach. The diving season here lasts from November to April, diving depths range from 4 to 40 m, and there are several interesting wrecks. There are equipment rentals and courses for beginners. Those who are apprehensive about scuba diving can go snorkeling or book a glass-bottom boat ride. The corals in Hikkaduwa are considered some of the most beautiful in all of Asia.

Hikkaduwa is a paradise not only for diving, but also for surfing. Surfers from all over the world come here, especially during the dry season, from November to March. The height of the waves reaches 3.5 meters.

The bustling nightlife also attracts tourists. It was from Hikkaduwa that the discovery of Sri Lanka began by tourists from Europe and America in the 60s of the last century. Today the resort is a continuous chain of hotels, hostels, bars, restaurants and shops, stretching for 4 km. There are always a lot of young people here from all over the world.

A small resort village on the southwestern coast of Sri Lanka, located 38 kilometers from Colombo. The spacious, wide beach with fine sand will delight lovers of serenity and family holidays. The sea is calmest from November to March.
Among the interesting monuments that you can visit while relaxing in Vaskaduwa is the 19th century Buddhist temple of Rajaguru Sri Subhuti Maha Vihara.

The most romantic resort in Sri Lanka is located on the southwestern coast of the island, in the Galle region, on the banks of the Bentota Ganga River, which flows into the Indian Ocean. Bentota owes its name to the legend of the demon Bem, who once ruled the banks of the river. It has its own small airport, a turtle reserve, and the ruins of a 12th-century Buddhist temple complex - Galapata Vihara. Bentota is famous for its palm wine, as well as excellent water sports and diving opportunities. Bentota Beach, on a long sandy spit at the mouth of the Bentota Ganga River, is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Bentota is a favorite place for newlyweds. World-class hotels offer the highest level of service, and uncrowded, many-kilometer beaches offer privacy and comfort. A relaxing beach holiday can be alternated with an active one. From here you can reach the ancient fortress of Galle (approximately 48 km). You can also go for a walk along the Bentota Ganga River among tropical flora and fauna, explore the ruins of the Galapata Vihara temples with preserved frescoes and statues, watch turtles in the reserve, go surfing, fishing, and ride a yacht. Bentota is perfect for beginner divers, as the water here is clear, there are almost no currents, and the most beautiful coral reefs begin at a depth of 4-5 meters.

The resort is 15 km from Negombo and about 70 km from Colombo. For a relaxing budget holiday. The largest hotel in the resort, Club Palm Bay 4*, is located on the shore of a picturesque lake, separated from the ocean by a wide sand spit and overgrown with lush tropical vegetation.

An ancient Sri Lankan city, founded by Arab traders back in the 8th century. Here is one of the oldest mosques in Sri Lanka - Kechimalai. The Beruwela resort is quite young and rapidly developing. Over the past few years, new hotels, shops have been built here, and the tourist area has been improved. Beruwela lies at the very beginning of a 130-kilometer beach that stretches along the entire southwestern tip of the island. From here it is 54 km to Galle, 56 km to the capital of the island Colombo, and only 7 km to the nearest resort of Bentota. You can swim on the beaches of Beruwela all year round. The purest sand, palm trees, azure water, bright sun - Beruwela has everything you need for a beach holiday and a wonderful tan.

A small fishing village near Colombo, stretching along a stream. Induruwa has wide, deserted beaches, ideal for sea and sunbathing. It has its own market, shops and hotels to suit different tastes and budgets. Freshwater lagoons and the Maadu River attract eco-tourists and bird watchers.

A fishing village on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka, near Lake Madu Ganga, about 20 km from Bentota and 30 km from Galle. There are several Buddhist temples in Ahungalla and the nearby village of Balapitya. The largest and most comfortable hotel in Ahungalla is Heritance Ahungalla 5*. It was designed by renowned Sri Lankan architect Geoffrey Bawa.

A small quiet town 35 km south of Colombo, famous for its plantations of coconut palms, rubber and cinnamon, the production of palm wine and vinegar, and products made from coconut fiber. Tours to Wadduwa are popular among beach lovers due to its beautiful sandy beach. Its width in some places reaches 60 m! Hotels are located on the beach far from each other, providing silence and privacy to their guests. One of the best places for quiet rest and relaxation away from the bustle of the city.

Wadduwa got its name from the name of the local doctors - “Veda”, who used to live in this area. Now the doctors have been replaced by experienced specialists from spas and health centers who offer Ayurvedic treatments, yoga and meditation classes, and healing courses. One of the most famous hotels in Wadduwa is Siddhalepa Ayurveda Resort 5*, focused on wellness holidays.

One of the closest resorts to Colombo, where you can escape from the bustle of the city, without being too far from the capital. The city merged with neighboring Dehiwala and is now called Dehiwala Mount Lavinia.

This was once the residence of the British Governor of Ceylon, Sir Thomas Maitland, who ruled the island from 1805 to 1811. His villa was called Mount Lavinia House, after his secret lover, the local dancer Lovina. In 1877, it opened the Mount Lavinia Hotel, one of the oldest and most luxuriously furnished hotels in Sri Lanka. Some scenes of the famous film “The Bridge on the River Kwai” (about the Vietnam War) were filmed here.

Dehiwala is home to the National Zoological Garden of Sri Lanka, founded in 1936. This is one of the largest zoos in Asia; it contains about 3 thousand animals of 350 species (according to 2005 data). One and a half million people visit it every year. An aquarium, bird enclosures, a butterfly garden, a reptile house, open spaces where you can walk next to animals without any bars, shows of elephants, monkeys and fur seals - this is an incomplete list of what you can see at the zoo.

Not far from the resort is the largest freshwater lake in Sri Lanka - Bolgoda. Its surface area is 347 sq. km, and its depth reaches 15 m. During the British Raj, it was a popular resort and bird hunting spot for British officers. The mangrove-covered lake is home to 45 species of fish, 40 species of reptiles, 30 species of mammals and many species of birds. Part of it has been turned into a nature reserve and is protected by the Global Nature Fund. On the lake you can go fishing, boating, windsurfing. It is home to the Colombo Sailing Club.

Local guides say that Unawatuna is even mentioned in the great Indian epic “Ramayana”. Now Unawatuna is famous for its beautiful semicircular beach, which the Discovery Channel included in the top ten in the world in 2004. The blue lagoon with clear water is protected by a double coral reef. Swimming here is pleasant and safe, since the depth of the lagoon is only 6 meters, and the water warms up well throughout the year. In Unawatuna, divers will find intricate reefs, many species of fish and sea turtles, and shipwrecks such as the British steamship Rangoon, which sank 100 years ago. Holidays in Unawatuna attract eco-tourists, for whom there are many walking paths in the tropical jungle and the Kottawa Rainforest Reserve, located 45 minutes' drive away. You can also visit the ancient stone temple of Yatagala Rajamaha Vihara, built 2,300 years ago, and the famous ancient Galle Fort, which is located just 5 km from Unawatuna.

Weligama (translated from Sinhala as “Sand Village”) is located 144 km from Colombo, 30 km from Galle, in the Matara region in the south of the island, on the shores of a beautiful bay. There are many boutique hotels offering exquisite service. Weligama's most exclusive hotel is located on Taprobane Island, 200 meters from the shore. The island once belonged to the French Count de Mony-Talvan, who built a luxurious villa on it. Since then, many famous people have stayed on the island - aristocrats, politicians, writers, artists. Singer Kylie Minogue dedicated the song “Taprobane (Extraordinary Day)” to this island.

In the western part of the city there is a three-meter statue of the Leper King. According to legend, it depicts an ancient ruler who was cured of leprosy by coconut milk. Another interesting detail of the Weligama landscape is the fishermen who use fishing rods to catch fish from high piles driven into the bottom of the bay. Weligama also has the ancient Buddhist temple of Aggrabodhi Vihara and a snake nursery.

Vaikal (Vaikkala, Vaikkal) is a small village almost within the city of Negombo, a 20-30 minute drive from Colombo International Airport. Several hotels with large grounds and a wide beach are located north of the mouth of the Maha Oya River, which flows into the Indian Ocean.

The fishing town is located on the shores of a picturesque lagoon, 53 km north of the airport. In the old days, Chilaw was famous for its pearl fishing. European colonists left a noticeable mark on the history of the city. The main attraction is the ancient Hindu temple of Munneswaram, which hosts colorful festivals every year.

Negombo is one of the largest cities in Sri Lanka, located on the west coast of the island, on the shores of the lagoon of the same name. It is known not only for its picturesque nature and beaches, but also for its rich history and culture.

For many centuries, dating back to the era of Portuguese and Dutch colonization, Negombo has been a trading port and center of the fishing industry. And in our times it is a paradise for fish and seafood lovers. A huge amount of fish is caught daily in the local bay, which can be bought at the Lellama fish market, the second largest in the country. Lobster, shrimp, and seafood are cooked over an open fire and served in restaurants on the seashore. In addition, Negombo is famous for the production of cinnamon, which is considered one of the best in the whole world, as well as ceramics and copper products.

Negombo is 40 km from the capital of Sri Lanka and just 7 km from Colombo International Airport. This is an ideal resort for those who do not want to waste time on long journeys. The long picturesque sandy beach begins north of the city center. There are many modern comfortable hotels, as well as water sports and diving centers. Divers will be interested in the wreck of a ship that sank more than 50 years ago and was turned into an artificial reef. Wildlife lovers can take a boat trip to the Muthurajawela Nature Reserve, which is home to almost 200 species of animals and plants.

Negombo is called the "little Rome" of Sri Lanka due to the abundance of Catholic churches and cathedrals, the most notable of which is St. Mary's Cathedral. There are also mosques, Buddhist and Hindu temples here. Among the attractions you can also see the ruins of a Dutch fort built in 1672, city canals that are still in use today, and fishing villages.

The city of Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, has absorbed many cultures and religions. Here, ancient colonial-style mansions, ancient Hindu and Buddhist temples, Catholic cathedrals coexist with skyscrapers, large shopping centers and modern five-star hotels with restaurants, bars, fitness centers, swimming pools, nightclubs and conference rooms. Colombo is the modern capital of the island; the ancient capitals of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa are included in the “cultural triangle” along with the city of Kandy. The Cultural Triangle is a collection of historical and cultural attractions in the center of the island.

A small village 10 km south of Bentota, about three hours' drive from Colombo. Nearby is another resort - Ahungalla, where there are several Buddhist temples.

A large port city located on the southwestern tip of the island of Sri Lanka, 119 km from Colombo. The capital of the Southern Province, the fourth largest city in the country, one of the main centers of tourism. The main attraction of Galle is the 17th-century granite Dutch fort, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. This is one of the largest colonial fortresses in Asia built by Europeans. The fort lies on a peninsula and is surrounded by water on three sides. At its south-eastern end there is an old lighthouse from which there is a magnificent view.

Other attractions of Galle: the Catholic Cathedral of St. Mary (XIX century), the National Maritime Museum, the collection of which includes exhibits dating back 800 years, the largest Shiva temple on the island, the ancient Amangalla 5 * hotel, built in 1863.

For wildlife lovers, Halle also has a lot to offer. There is a turtle farm and the Sinharaja Rain Forest Reserve, also included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Excursions through the jungle, jeep safaris and horseback riding will not leave anyone indifferent. For those who are tired of the sights, Galle has excellent opportunities for a beach holiday. Sri Lanka's most famous beaches Unawatuna and Hikkaduwa are just 5 and 10 km from Galle.

A town in the Matara region, 180 km from Colombo, famous for its bustling market, which opens every Saturday near the beach. The main attraction of Dikwella is the largest statue of a seated Buddha in Sri Lanka, 50 meters high. Summer Buddhist festivals (Perahera) - Vesak, Poson and Esala - are held here on a large scale.

Dikwella has a beautiful beach and bow-shaped lagoon protected by reefs and shoals. The Dickwella Resort 4* hotel with a large green area is located at the westernmost tip of the lagoon.

The ancient city on the southern coast of Sri Lanka retains the charm of an 18th-century Dutch colony. In the center of the city there is a Dutch fort, which is now used as a prison. However, Tangalle is best known for its beaches: Medaketiya, Medilla, Goyambokka and Pallikaduva. Due to the distance from Colombo (195 km), there are few tourists here, and for several kilometers on the coast you may not see a single person. Perfect for a secluded getaway for VIPs.

Kalpitiya is a small resort in the north-west of Sri Lanka in the Puttalam district, 170 kilometers from Colombo. Long beaches with fine sand will delight lovers of a relaxing and sporty holiday. Due to the excellent wind that blows here from May to October, this is one of the most favorite places for kitesurfers. In both lagoons of the Kalpitiya and Kapaladi resort there are kite rental stations and schools with instructors. Kalpitiya also has a windsurfing station.
Kalpitiya is also popular among lovers of diving and snorkeling; Bar Reef, one of the most interesting reefs in Sri Lanka, is located an hour by boat from the resort. Diving and snorkeling excursions run from November to mid-April.
Nature lovers can visit the large Vilpatu National Park and watch dolphins or whales.

The new resort of Passikuda is located 300 km from the airport on the east coast of the island. A wide beach, stretching for several kilometers, borders a picturesque bay. The ocean is rich in various species of tropical fish. The colorful coral reefs are included in a renowned marine reserve. Passikuda is a resort with the atmosphere of a quiet fishing village, suitable for lovers of a quiet, secluded holiday.

Ahangama is a small resort village in the south of Sri Lanka. Family tourists will appreciate the relaxed and tranquil atmosphere of the resort, the sandy beach, and surf lovers will enjoy the excellent conditions for sports. There are board rentals, the opportunity to take lessons, and yoga classes.
Not far from Ahangama are the picturesque bays of Weligama and Mirissa, a 20-minute drive from the city of Galle and the bustling resort of Unawatuna, which is famous for discos and night bars.

Balapitiya is a small resort town on the southwestern coast of Sri Lanka, 80 kilometers from Colombo. The resort is located in a place where the Maduganga River overflows into the ocean. Lovers of a relaxing holiday will appreciate the picturesque nature of the resort, quiet evenings and its sandy beaches.
From Balapitiya you can go to the turtle farm, take a boat ride through the expanses of the Maduganga delta with numerous islands, or go for a walk to the neighboring resort of Hikkaduwa.

Trincomalee (or simply Trinco) is a large city and port in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka, known since the time of the ancient historian Ptolemy. It is separated from Colombo by more than 250 km. The city lies on a peninsula in the Gulf of Koddiyar with intricately indented shores. Its large natural harbour, the fifth largest in the world, has made it a center of maritime trade since ancient times. The ancient name of the city is Gokanna (Gokarna).

Merchants from China and Southeast Asia and even the great traveler Marco Polo visited here at the end of the 13th century. The port has been in the hands of the Dutch, Portuguese, French and British. At Trincomalee in 1782, during the American Revolutionary War, a naval battle took place between the French and English squadrons. During World War II, the Japanese bombed British military installations in Trincomalee. Trinco is now home to the Sri Lankan navy and air force.

Trincomalee's rich history attracts tourists from all over the world. There is something to see here for the most discerning traveler! The Hoods Tower Maritime Museum, the 17th-century Dutch fort Frederick, the famous Koneswaram Temple (Temple of a Thousand Columns), built in the 3rd century in honor of Shiva, the ancient Buddhist monastery Velgam Vihara and much more. Whale watching boat trips have become very popular in Trinco lately. In Cannia (8 km from Trinco), there are several hot springs.

During a tour in Trincomalee, excursions can be combined with relaxation. There are many shallow bays where the water does not reach the neck of an adult even a hundred meters from the shore. The beaches are covered with the purest white sand. The most famous of them are Uppuveli (6 km from the city) and Nilaveli (16 km). Rocky Pigeon Island, where wild pigeons nest, is famous for its coral reef and abundance of fish species. You can rent a boat from any hotel or marina to sail to the island and go diving and snorkeling.

The famous Sri Lankan writer Martin Wickramasinghe, who wrote in Sinhala, was born in Koggala. The unique nature of Koggala: a coast with golden sand beaches and coral reefs, a large freshwater lake with many islands, evergreen tropical forests - inspired him to write novels and stories translated into several languages ​​of the world. The name of the writer is given to the Folk Art Museum (Martin Wickramasinghe Folk Art Museum), which has collected an extensive collection of cultural and everyday objects from different regions of the island.

In Koggala there is a rental of boats, catamarans, and bicycles. Transfers to the water sports center in Unawatuna and boat trips for dolphin and whale watching are organized from the hotels. It is possible to visit Buddhist temples on the islands of Lake Koggala, but prior permission is required.

Koggala is located at a distance of 135 km from Colombo. It has its own small airport.

A resort on the southern coast of Sri Lanka, 150 kilometers from Colombo. The cozy, calm resort has a beautiful golden beach with a convenient gentle entrance to the sea. Occasionally there are rocky areas of the coast. Hotels are built along the coast and on the hill.
This is one of the best places for surf lovers, who come to Mirissa from November to May for the annual parties. For party lovers, the resort also offers a variety of places to enjoy a great getaway.
30 kilometers from Mirissa is the city of Galle, which will be interesting to visit for lovers of historical excursions.

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. You just have to choose the right one for yourself.

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 Lavenia our starting and returning point, plus we left our winter things at the hotel here. Before departure, they took me home.

The hotel is a house with separate rooms for tourists. It is inexpensive and conveniently located. The owner is sociable and will be happy to 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,

The best beaches of Sri Lanka: photos, description

The tropical island of Sri Lanka is world famous for its amazing long sandy beaches framed by emerald coconut palms. The water temperature in the ocean around the island does not change much throughout the year, within the range of +27-30C, as well as the air temperature +28-30C. Sri Lanka is a unique island, you can swim there all year round: in the summer in the east, in the winter in the west. The beaches of the southwest are the most popular holiday destination with developed infrastructure; the infrastructure of the east coast is much less developed. The beaches in the south have predominantly yellow sand, while the north-east beaches have mostly white sand.

The following are not all, but the most popular and beautiful beaches of Sri Lanka among foreign tourists. Among the list of brief characteristics in the description is the “Length of the beach”, which is not identical to the “swimming area”, in this case the length of the beach on the map is given.

When comparing beaches, it is worth paying attention to the level of infrastructure development of the beach and the area: the higher the level of development, the more garbage produced by the infrastructure facilities. It is also worth remembering that the closer the beach is to a large city, the closer it is to city drains. The best beaches in Sri Lanka are located at least 30 km from the international airport.

Map of Sri Lanka beaches

Top 50 beaches in Sri Lanka

Marawila Beach

City: Marawila

Distance from the airport: 36 km

Beach length: 2.5 km

Location: open

Presence of barrier reefs: No

Beach condition: uncrowded beach, only organic garbage - no sources

Beach infrastructure: no, a couple of hotels and several guest houses overlook the beach; The tourist infrastructure of the area is poorly developed - there are supermarkets, several cafes and restaurants, but nothing entertaining outside the hotel.

Sand: a wide strip of light fine sand mixed with coarse and dark volcanic sand.

Summary: for family vacations and honeymoons.

Negombo Beach

City: Negombo

Distance from the airport: 15 km

Beach length: 2.3 km

Location: open

Presence of barrier reefs: No

Beach condition: within the city, near the port, poorly cleaned, clean only in isolated hotel areas

Beach infrastructure: there are many hotels and restaurants on the shore, a large number of budget accommodation options, there are clean beaches in Negombo, they begin where the strip of hotels ends.

Sand: light, interspersed with black sand

Summary: Ideal as a transit point for relaxation immediately after or before departure.

Mount Lavinia beach

City: Colombo

Distance from the airport: 45 km

Beach length: 1.7 km

Location: open

Presence of barrier reefs: No

Beach condition: within the city, only hotel areas are cleaned, a lot of inorganic waste.

Beach infrastructure: developed, many different shops, the territories of expensive hotels are isolated, it’s clean, the rest of the beach is better used for walking.

Sand: light, with small patches of black sand.

Summary: the city beach is suitable only as a transit point for a holiday in Colombo; for swimming it is better to use the separate beach of the 5* Mount Lavinia hotel.

Panadura beach

City: Panadura

Distance from the airport: 60 km

Beach length: 2.2 km

Location: open

Presence of barrier reefs: No

Beach condition: not cleaned, used as a walking place, almost no tourists.

Beach infrastructure: no (one tray of ice cream), the beach is not used for swimming, it is a meeting place for local young unmarried couples sitting en masse under umbrellas.

Sand: coarse light sand, with small pebbles.

Summary: Panadura city beach; for swimming it is better to use the more southern beaches.

Wadduwa & Waskaduwa beach

City: Wadduwa and Waskaduwa

Distance from the airport: 75 km

Beach length: 4 km

Location: open

Presence of barrier reefs: No

Beach condition: only the hotel area is cleaned, but due to the weak development of tourism in the area, there is almost no garbage on the beaches, strong waves erode the coastline.

Beach infrastructure: almost undeveloped, represented by several large hotels standing isolated from the rest of the beach; package foreign and local tourism is developed in the area.

Sand: soft light sand

Summary: good beach for a package holiday, but swimming is only possible during high season.

Kalutara beach

City: North Kalutara

Distance from the airport: 80 km

Beach length: 2.3 km

Location: open

Presence of barrier reefs: No

Beach condition: only hotel areas are cleaned, but the number of tourists is small and therefore not a large amount of garbage is generated. Strong waves. small width of the beach.

Beach infrastructure: no, it is represented by several large package hotels, isolated and located separately from the rest of the beach, where there is almost no infrastructure.

Sand: soft light sand

Summary: A good beach for a relaxing package holiday. but swimming is only possible during the season.

Beruwala beach

City: Beruwela

Distance from the airport: 88 km

Beach length: 0.7 km

Location(bay): open

Presence of barrier reefs: no, but there is an island blocking the waves

Beach condition: only the hotel area is cleaned, sometimes organic waste is carried out by the surf, but in general the beach is clean.

Beach infrastructure: poorly developed, the beach is located separately, there is a fish market and a lighthouse nearby. Next to the beach is the largest Muslim area in Sri Lanka and a mosque.

Sand: soft, light sand

Summary: The main beach is suitable for a relaxing holiday for families with children and couples. For children's recreation, it is better to use the beach opposite Crow Island.

Moragalla beach

City: Aluthgama

Distance from the airport: 90 km

Beach length: 1.2 km

Location: open

Presence of barrier reefs: yes, there is also a small bay

Beach condition: hotel areas are being cleaned, the beach is small, isolated, there is almost no garbage.

Beach infrastructure: located in an infrastructurally developed area, there are many cafes, bars, restaurants and shops nearby, as well as mid- and premium-level hotels.

Sand: soft light sand

Summary: due to the presence of a reef, the beach is suitable for families with children and couples

Bentota beach - northern beach

City: Bentota

Distance from the airport: 95 km

Beach length: 2.9 km

Location: open

Presence of barrier reefs: No

Beach condition: cleaned daily, no trash at all; smooth transition to depth

Beach infrastructure: moderately developed: there are hotel restaurants, paragliding flights, surf schools, rental of boards and sun loungers; the beach is located on an isolated sand spit, where several 4-5* hotels open. There are rescuers.

Sand: soft light sand

Summary: an excellent beach for a honeymoon, family vacation, or relaxing with friends.

South Bentota beach

City: Bentota

Distance from the airport: 95 km

Beach length: 2.9 km

Location: open

Presence of barrier reefs: No

Beach condition: hotel areas are cleaned, sometimes organic debris is found in the surf - branches, palm fruits, but in general the beach is clean.

Beach infrastructure: poorly developed, along the beach there are 2-3 mid-level restaurants, there is a rental of surfboards; There are few tourists, the beach is almost empty even in high season. There is a turtle farm on this beach.

Sand: wide strip of soft light sand, deserted

Summary: an excellent beach for a honeymoon, a relaxing holiday with family and friends

Induruwa beach

City: Induruwa

Distance from the airport: 95 km

Beach length: 2.9 km

Location: open

Presence of barrier reefs: No

Beach condition: The hotel area is being cleaned, but since Induruwa is not a mass resort, there are not many tourists and there is almost no garbage.

Beach infrastructure: no, several hotels in the mid-price segment 3-4* overlook the beach, the tourist infrastructure of the area is poorly developed.

Sand: a wide strip of soft light sand, a gentle entrance into the ocean, but then a transition to depth.

Summary: an excellent beach for a relaxing holiday with children, a honeymoon, Ayurveda.

Maha Induruwa beach

City: Induruwa

Distance from the airport: 100 km

Beach length: 1.2 km

Location: open

Presence of barrier reefs: No

Beach condition: hotel areas are being cleaned, the beach is deserted and quite clean

Beach infrastructure: no, there are several 3-4* hotels on the shore; there is almost no tourist infrastructure in this area.

Sand: soft medium-sized fraction, light sand, but interspersed in places with slabs of volcanic rock

Summary: beach for a relaxing holiday with children, honeymoon, Ayurveda, photo sessions.

Kosgoda beach

City: Kosgoda

Distance from the airport: 110 km

Beach length: 4 km

Location: open

Presence of barrier reefs: No

Beach condition: wild, not cleaned, but there is no garbage, because almost no tourists

Beach infrastructure: no, in this area there is one large 5* hotel on the shore (opening in December 2016) and many Ayurvedic clinics. There are several turtle farms on this beach.

Sand: light soft sand, but mixed with slabs of volcanic rock

Summary: for people undergoing Ayurvedic treatment and visitors to turtle farms

Ahungalla beach

City: Ahungalla

Distance from the airport: 112 km

Beach length: 2.7 km

Location: open

Presence of barrier reefs: no, but there is a protective rock, used for swimming with children

Beach condition: average cleanliness, only hotel areas are cleaned

Beach infrastructure: no, the beach is isolated, only a couple of large hotels and many Ayurveda clinics overlook it. There are rescuers. The infrastructure of the area is not developed at all.

Sand: light sand of medium fraction

Summary: beach for families with children, medical tourism

Balapitiya beach

City: Balapitiya

Distance from the airport: 115 km

Beach length: 0.7 km

Location: open

Presence of barrier reefs: No

Beach condition: clean; Traditionally, only hotel areas are cleaned

Beach infrastructure: no, several small 2-3* hotels overlook it. Nearby is the Madu Ganga River, along which excursions through the mangrove forests take place. Tourist infrastructure is poorly developed.

Sand: light clean sand

Summary: good beach for a package holiday

Ambalangoda beach

City: Ambalangoda

Distance from the airport: 120 km

Beach length: 2.1 km

Location: open

Presence of barrier reefs: No

Beach condition: clean due to few tourists in the area

Beach infrastructure: no, the coastline is poorly developed, there are several small hotels and guest houses, a couple of restaurants. Nearby there is a museum of traditional masks. The tourism infrastructure of the area is poorly developed.

Sand: soft light sand, mixed in places with volcanic black sand

Summary: for families with children, secluded and romantic holidays.

Hikkaduwa beach

City: Hikkaduwa

Distance from the airport: 130 km

Beach length: 1 km

Location: open

Presence of barrier reefs: yes, away from the shore

Beach condition: Only hotel areas are cleaned; during the season there are problems with garbage collection. The coastline of the beach is densely built up.

Beach infrastructure: developed, many hotels and guest houses in the mid-price segment, small waves, suitable for swimming with children. The tourism infrastructure of the area is the most developed in Sri Lanka. Sea turtles come to this beach and can be fed with seaweed.

Sand: a narrow strip of light yellow sand

Summary: for family holidays, honeymoons, youth holidays.

Narigama beach

City: Hikkaduwa

Distance from the airport: 135 km

Beach length: 3.2 km

Location: open

Presence of barrier reefs: No

Beach condition: hotel areas are cleaned; inorganic waste is encountered during the season.

Beach infrastructure: developed, many cafes, bars and restaurants, a large number of tourists; The beach offers surfing, snorkeling and diving. The tourism infrastructure of the area is the most developed in Sri Lanka. Sea turtles swim to the nearby Hikkaduwa beach.

Sand: soft sand of light yellow color, interspersed with volcanic sand.

Summary: for family and youth recreation.

Jungle beach

City: Unawatuna

Distance from the airport: 153 km

Beach length: 0.2 km

Location: on the edge of the bay, without waves

Presence of barrier reefs: No

Beach condition: clean, cleaned by the staff of the cafe of the same name, located at the foot of the cliff.

Beach infrastructure: there is one cafe and many sunbeds in 2-3 rows at a distance of 0.5 m from each other. A very large number of tourists in a small area. The path goes through the ascent and descent of Mount Rumassala.

Sand: narrow strip of light, soft sand

Summary: for youth recreation, for the older generation the road to the beach can be physically difficult.

Unawatuna beach

City: Unawatuna

Distance from the airport: 154 km

Beach length: 1.2 km

Location(bay): in the bay

Presence of barrier reefs: yes, but a sharp transition to depth

Beach condition: during the season, it is cleaned by the owners of cafes and hotels; The surf throws a lot of algae and organic debris ashore.

Beach infrastructure: a large assortment of restaurants, bars and hotels in the economy and mid-price segments. The infrastructure of the area is developed, the coastline is completely built up with hotels and restaurants. Lots of package tourists.

Sand: coarse to medium yellow sand, lots of shells and mud.

Summary: beach for family, economical package or youth holidays.

Vijaya beach

City: Dalavella

Distance from the airport: 156 km

Beach length: 0.6 km

Location(bay): open

Presence of barrier reefs: There is

Beach condition: the beach is very narrow, under the water there are stones mixed with sand, small waves.

Beach infrastructure: the shore is densely built up, with many middle and economy segment guesthouses overlooking it; there is almost no beach as such, its width greatly depends on the time of year; Surfing training is developed in this area. The infrastructure of the area is poorly developed.

Sand: light soft sand, smooth transition to depth, but interspersed with large stones overgrown with mud

Summary: the beach is suitable for youth and family recreation

Mihiripenna Beach

City: Mihiripenna

Distance from the airport: 157 km

Beach length: 0.7 km

Location(bay): open

Presence of barrier reefs: No

Beach condition

Beach infrastructure: the coastline is built up, with many hotels in the economy and mid-price segment overlooking it; The width of the beach greatly depends on the time of year. The waves are suitable for professional surfing.

Sand: smooth transition to depth, sand interspersed with small pebbles, small stone breakwaters are built along the edges of the bay.

Summary: the beach is suitable for youth recreation

Thalpe Beach

City: Talpe

Distance from the airport: 158 km

Beach length: 0.7 km

Location(bay): open

Presence of barrier reefs: No

Beach condition: narrow beach of short length

Beach infrastructure: the coastline is built up, there are many hotels of the middle and high price segment overlooking it; The width of the beach greatly depends on the time of year. The infrastructure of the area is moderately developed.

Sand: smooth transition to depth, sand interspersed with small pebbles.

Summary: The beach is suitable for youth recreation.

Habaraduwa beach

City: Khabaraduwa

Distance from the airport: 160 km

Beach length: 2 km

Location: open

Presence of barrier reefs: No

Beach condition: the beach is not heavily built up, therefore it is quite clean, but swimming is only possible during the season, since in the off-season the waves are quite strong.

Beach infrastructure: practically none, there are only a couple of large hotels and a few guest houses on the beach, the area itself is moderately developed in terms of tourism: there is a supermarket and a couple of shops, several restaurants, but at the moment the city is actively developing. Khabaraduwa beach smoothly transitions into the more developed Koggala beach.

Sand: a very long strip of light, soft sand

Summary: the beach is suitable for families with children, a secluded holiday for two

Koggala beach

City: Koggala

Distance from the airport: 162 km

Beach length: 2 km

Location: open

Presence of barrier reefs: No

Beach condition: The area is cleaned by hotels, but there is practically no garbage. Swimming only in season. because there are waves in the off-season.

Beach infrastructure: no, surfboard rental is available; The area is poorly developed in terms of tourism, but there is a supermarket and several shops and restaurants. The beach is built up, but not densely; several large hotels overlook it. The infrastructure of the area is gradually developing.

Sand: soft light sand, almost white in the midday sun.

Summary: The beach is suitable for family holidays and honeymoons.

Ahangama beach

City: Ahangama

Distance from the airport: 170 km

Beach length: 0.7 km

Location: open

Presence of barrier reefs: No

Beach condition: the area is cleaned by guests, the beach is not crowded, there is little garbage

Beach infrastructure: professional surfing resort, no other beach activities, tourist infrastructure in the area is poorly developed, several inexpensive guest houses overlook the beach.

Sand

Summary: the beach is suitable for youth recreation

Midigama beach

City: Midigama

Distance from the airport: 170 km

Beach length: 0.7 km

Location: open

Presence of barrier reefs: No

Beach condition: the territory is cleaned by guesthouses, there are practically no sources of garbage

Beach infrastructure: surfing resort, no other beach activities, tourist infrastructure in the area is poorly developed. Several inexpensive guest houses overlook the beach, and there are also several cafes and restaurants.

Sand: soft light sand, stones along the edges of the bay

Summary

Weligama beach

City: Weligama

Distance from the airport: 176 km

Beach length: 3.5 km

Location: bay

Presence of barrier reefs: Yes

Beach condition: the coast is built up with surf schools and guest houses, the width of the beach depends on the time of year and the tide, the waves are small.

Beach infrastructure: surfing, diving, excursions services are widely available; The infrastructure of the area is quite developed, the beach is replete with inexpensive guest houses, and there are many cafes and restaurants.

Sand: a narrow strip of light sand streaked with dark volcanic

Summary: the beach is suitable for youth and family recreation

Mirissa beach

City: Mirissa

Distance from the airport: 180 km

Beach length: 1.3 km

Location: on the edge of the bay

Presence of barrier reefs: No

Beach condition: the area is cleaned by hotels, there is practically no garbage, the coastline is not as densely built up as in Unawatuna and Hikkaduwa.

Beach infrastructure: developed, on the beach there are cafes and restaurants, travel companies, surfing, diving, snorkeling and excursions. The tourist infrastructure of the area is also developed; the coast is built up with 2-4* hotels. The width of the beach depends on the time of year and the phases of the moon.

Sand: long sandy beach of medium width with light and dark sand

Summary: the beach is suitable for youth and family holidays, honeymoons

Secret beach

City: Mirissa

Distance from the airport: 182 km

Beach length: 0.1 km

Location: on the edge of the bay

Presence of barrier reefs: No

Beach condition: the area is cleaned by gesters, there is almost no garbage

Beach infrastructure: no, the beach is not particularly popular due to its low popularity; it is a narrow strip of sand surrounded by stones along the edges of the bay.

Sand

Summary: the beach is suitable for families with children and couples

Polhena beach

City: Matara

Distance from the airport: 190 km

Beach length: 0.1 km

Location: on the edge of the bay

Presence of barrier reefs: No

Beach condition: city public beach of Matara city

Beach infrastructure: The public beach is not popular with tourists because... located within the large city of Matara, there are a lot of local residents; there is no garbage.

Sand: small sandy beach with light sand

Summary: The beach is suitable for walks and family holidays.

Matara beach

City: Matara

Distance from the airport: 190 km

Beach length: 2 km

Location: in the bay

Presence of barrier reefs: No

Beach condition: city beach in the center of Matara

Beach infrastructure: public beach, located within the large city of Matara, not intended for swimming, only for walking, runs along the road, divided in half by a Buddhist temple.

Sand: small sandy beach with light sand

Summary: suitable for walking

Talalla beach

City: Talallah

Distance from the airport: 210 km

Beach length: 1.2 km

Location: in the bay

Presence of barrier reefs: No

Beach condition: the area is cleaned by hotels, there is almost no garbage

Beach infrastructure: not developed, surfing and yoga are offered in large hotels, the tourist infrastructure of the area is poorly developed - there are several restaurants in 3-4* hotels.

Sand: a wide strip of soft light yellow sand in a small bay, not closed from the waves

Summary: the beach is suitable for family holidays and honeymoons

Dickwella beach

City: Dikwella

Distance from the airport: 215 km

Beach length: 2 km

Location: bay

Presence of barrier reefs: No

Beach condition: the resort is not crowded and, as a result, there are no sources of garbage, the beach is clean.

Beach infrastructure: there are no beach activities other than surfing, the tourist infrastructure of the area is also not developed, there are several hotels and cafes, but in general the coastline is poorly developed.

Sand: a long strip of light sand in a small bay, sheltered from the waves

Summary: the beach is suitable for family holidays and youth holidays

Hiriketiya beach

City: Dikwella

Distance from the airport: 217 km

Beach length: 0.2 km

Location: in a small bay

Presence of barrier reefs: No

Beach condition: the beach is clean, there is no garbage, only sometimes there is organic

Beach infrastructure: no, the tourism infrastructure of the area is located in Dikwella; The coastline is sparsely developed, there are a couple of cafes and surfing.

Sand: small sandy beach with light sand in a very small bay

Summary: the beach is suitable for families, couples and friends

Medaketiya beach

City: Tangalle

Distance from the airport: 230 km

Beach length: 3 km

Location: open

Presence of barrier reefs: No

Beach condition: clean beach with strong waves and sandy bottom

Beach infrastructure: poorly developed, there are several cafes and hotels, the coastline is poorly developed, the infrastructure of the area is also not very developed.

Sand: a strip of soft light sand surrounded by stone breakwaters

Summary: the beach is suitable for family holidays and secluded relaxation for two

Medilla beach

City: Tangalle

Distance from the airport: 235 km

Beach length: 4.2 km/p>

Location: open

Presence of barrier reefs: No

Beach condition: clean beach, not crowded

Beach infrastructure: not developed, several hotels and restaurants overlook the beach; tourist infrastructure is present in Tangalle, located 10 min.

Sand: soft, very light sand, sandy bottom interspersed with areas of rock outcropping.

Summary: the beach is suitable for a secluded holiday for two, as well as surrounded by family

City: Tangalle

Distance from the airport: 240 km

Beach length: 3.5 km

Location: open

Presence of barrier reefs: No

Beach condition: wide strip of clean light sand, no sources of debris

Beach infrastructure: There are no beach activities; sea turtles often crawl onto the beach shore to lay eggs. The entire tourism infrastructure of the area is located in Tangalle.

Sand: wide deserted sandy beach

Summary: suitable for couples, family holidays

Kirinda beach

City: Kirinda

Distance from the airport: 240 km

Beach length: 3 km

Location: open

Presence of barrier reefs: No

Beach condition

Beach infrastructure: There are no beach activities other than surfing; sea turtles often crawl onto the beach shore to lay eggs. The entire tourist infrastructure of the area is located in Tissamaharama, the nearest major city.

Sand: uncrowded sandy beach surrounded by boulders, mixed sand - light and dark volcanic

Summary

Kahandamodara beach

City: Kahandamodara

Distance from the airport: 215 km

Beach length: 2 km

Location: open

Presence of barrier reefs: No

Beach condition: wide strip of sand, no sources of debris

Beach infrastructure: There are no beach activities; sea turtles often crawl onto the beach shore to lay eggs. The entire tourist infrastructure of the area is located in Tangalle, the nearest major city.

Sand: uncrowded sandy beach with light sand

Summary: suitable for family holidays and honeymoons

Panama beach

City: Panama

Distance from the airport: 320 km

Beach length: 2 km

Location: open

Presence of barrier reefs: No

Beach condition: wide strip of sand, no sources of debris

Beach infrastructure: There are no beach activities, the place is popular with professional surfers due to the characteristics of the local waves. The entire tourist infrastructure of the area is located in Arugam Bay.

Sand: deserted beach, mixed light and dark volcanic sand

Summary: Suitable for youth sports recreation

Arugam Bay beach

City: Arugam Bay

Distance from the airport: 315 km

Beach length: 2 km

Location: open

Presence of barrier reefs: No

Beach condition

Beach infrastructure: the main beach holiday involves surfing of various skill levels, there are surf spots and board rentals. The area's infrastructure is moderately developed: on the coastline there are cafes and restaurants, several guest houses and mid-price hotels.

Sand

Summary: suitable for a couple's holiday, youth holiday

Pottuvil beach

City: Pottuvil

Distance from the airport: 315 km

Beach length: 1 km

Location: open

Presence of barrier reefs: No

Beach condition: wide strip of light sand, no debris

Beach infrastructure: surfing lessons, equipment rental and surf schools, board rentals are offered. The district's infrastructure is concentrated in Arugam Bay.

Sand: sandy beach with waves for surfing

Summary: suitable for youth recreation

Passikudah beach

City: Batticaloa

Distance from the airport: 270 km

Beach length: 3.5 km

Location: open

Presence of barrier reefs

Beach condition: wide strip of clean, very light, fine sand

Beach infrastructure: there are no beach activities, the beach shore is built up with hotels of medium and high price categories. The tourist infrastructure of the area is also almost undeveloped.

Sand: wide uncrowded sandy beach without waves

Summary: suitable for beach holidays, trips with children

Kalkudah beach

City: Batticaloa

Distance from the airport: 265 km

Beach length: 3.5 km

Location: in the bay

Presence of barrier reefs: no, very smooth transition to depth, almost no waves

Beach condition: Wide strip of clean light sand, organic debris is rare.

Beach infrastructure: there are no beach activities; mainly premium segment hotels overlook the beach, which do not imply the need for tourist infrastructure outside the hotel.

Sand: deserted sandy beach without waves

Summary: suitable for a secluded beach and family holiday with children

Uppuweli beach

City: Trincomalee

Distance from the airport: 236 km

Beach length: 3.5 km

Location: open

Presence of barrier reefs, almost no waves

Beach condition: wide strip of light sand, garbage is removed by hotels

Beach infrastructure: developed, the coastline is built up with hotels and guest houses of the mid-price category; the beach offers surfing, diving, excursions, etc. The entire infrastructure of the area is concentrated in Trincomalee, there are supermarkets, a bus and railway station.

Sand: wide sandy beach

Summary: suitable for couples, youth and family holidays

Nilaveli beach

City: Trincomalee

Distance from the airport: 245 km

Beach length: 3.5 km

Location: open

Presence of barrier reefs: no, smooth transition to depth

Beach condition: wide strip of clean light sand

Beach infrastructure: beach activities include water sports - surfing, diving, snorkeling; The coastline is not densely built up, mainly with hotels in the mid-price segment. The tourism infrastructure of the area is located in the large city of Trincomalee.

Sand: wide sandy beach with fine light sand

Summary: suitable for youth and family recreation

Marble beach

City: Trincomalee

Distance from the airport: 235 km

Beach length: 0.2 km

Location: open

Presence of barrier reefs: no, smooth transition to depth

Beach condition: small beach in Koddiyar Bay, area cleaned by hotels

Beach infrastructure: There are no beach activities. The entire tourist infrastructure of the region is located in the nearest city of Trincomalee.

Sand: small sandy beach with fine light sand with shells

Summary: suitable for youth and family recreation

According to reviews from travelers and vacationers, the beaches of Sri Lanka are among the top ten for tourism in winter. White sandy beaches, bright, hot sun, relaxation under the shade of palm branches, clear azure water, incredible exotic landscapes. Lovers of exotic, recreation and tourism will find many beaches, active recreation, and extraordinary beauty of nature. This is truly a piece of paradise that everyone should discover.

Bentota

Fans of active tourism, diving, surfing and other water sports will find an ideal holiday destination on Benkota Beach. In addition, newlyweds from all over the world tend to come here to spend an unforgettable honeymoon in a memorable romantic atmosphere. People of means often come to this resort to make their holiday unforgettable.

9

Vaduwa is one of the best beaches in Sri Lanka. Sandy beaches, palm trees, blue azure water, palm trees giving a pleasant cool shade. Comfortable hotels, sports for every taste: tennis, golf, football. Diving has become a popular entertainment for tourists. When diving, you can see the rich and colorful world of exotic fish and marine plants that have equipped their homes in sunken ships.

In addition to diving, other water sports are available: surfing, sailing. Or you can go on a relaxing, romantic boat ride along the canals to admire the beauty of the local fauna. Fans of cultural and educational tourism will enjoy local attractions - the Buddhist temple Gangatilaka Vihara in Kalutara or the fishermen's town of Hambantotu.

8

Beruwella is the most prestigious and premium beach resort. Here you will find only five-star hotels, expensive restaurants and high-quality service. Truly heavenly pictures open up on the local beaches, which stretch for as much as 100 km.

White sand, clear azure water, which, due to pleasant climatic conditions, is always warm and, thanks to the favorable topography, always calm, without high waves or storms. The beaches are equipped with everything necessary for a comfortable stay: umbrellas, sun loungers, tables where you can always find juicy, ripe fruits that refresh and quench your thirst during a beach holiday.

Many hotels have spas and various health centers. Rich families from Russia, India and the Netherlands like to stay in Beruwella. Why India and the Netherlands? Yes, because Ceylon was once a Dutch colony. And Russians simply love a pleasant holiday with soul.

7

Negombo is a place where you can always catch a wave, the sea is rough most of the time, it is a desirable corner for kite surfers. On the long picturesque coastline there are comfortable hotels for every taste, where vacationers are offered a variety of services and entertainment both on land and on water.

6

Arugam Bay is a huge sandy beach and one of the most popular surfing resorts. However, for beginners and inexperienced swimmers, it is an ideal place to study and train.

For other vacationers, this is a reason to try something new, as well as visit an amazing corner of nature, where you can see extraordinary flora and fauna, namely exotic jungles with secluded corners and numerous lakes, or you can watch wild elephants from Crocodile Rock. This place is famous for its pleasant climate and low rainfall, so the weather cannot spoil your holiday. .

5

Hikkaduwa is a joy for surfers, a thrill for tourists, as this place is characterized by high waves. However, the beach can be divided into zones where there are big waves, and where you can calmly swim and enjoy swinging on the waves.

Or you can find fishing boats and try your luck at fishing by catching fish for dinner with your own hands. Soft golden sand, clear azure water and an unforgettable vacation experience await you.

4

Dikwella is the perfect destination for a romantic, secluded, unforgettable honeymoon trip for newlyweds. Idyll, beauty and harmony await lovers. The picturesque, paradise beach stretches for 3 km. Golden and soft sand, coolness from the shade of palm branches, the pleasure of swimming in pleasant, clear blue water on the western part of the beach.

For lovers of adrenaline, risk and thrills, the central part is suitable, where you can catch your big wave. The eastern part of the beach is rocky, but nevertheless distinguished by the beauty of wild and untamed nature. Picturesque bays will awaken your imagination and provide aesthetic pleasure with their views.

There are no huge hotels in the village of the same name, but this is not a minus, since there are guesthouses and a small cozy hotel complex that welcomes tourists. You will be provided with great gastronomic pleasure by local cafes where delicious and healthy seafood dishes are prepared.

3

Tangale is a famous resort, but it is not widespread among tourists, so the beaches are not strewn with vacationers; you can always find space and privacy. In addition, this will allow you to enjoy heavenly sea views, exotic vegetation, the sounds of waves, birds, and wind.

This resort is not suitable for active people who want to swim in the ocean, but this place is very attractive for surfers because there are always waves, perhaps the largest on the entire southern coast.

If you love peace, beautiful views, relaxation, solitude with nature or surfing, then this resort is perfect for you. There is no tourist town at this resort, but there are small hotels. There are not many restaurants and cafes, but they can satisfy the needs of vacationers and give them pleasure with delicious food and good service.

2

Mirissa is one of the three best beaches in Sri Lanka. White sand, blue, azure water, snow-white sand, lush green palm trees along the entire coast, creating a pleasant cool shade during a hot day; it is also very pleasant to take walks along the coast under these palm trees, admiring nature and views of the ocean.

During the walk you can walk to two bays where there are no strong waves and there is very picturesque nature and the sea. This entire area is bordered on two sides by hills consisting entirely of iron ore. Immediately behind them is a village, or rather, it is cut into these hills and has a red color because of the iron.

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. The resort has hotels; in the bay with a calm sea, prices are higher than in other parts.

1

Unawatuna is one of the top ten best beaches in the world according to the Discovery Channel. 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. However, there are no large tourist complexes or expensive hotels in this place.

Most vacationers come here for at least a month. This is a great place to relax with family and children. Soft sandy beaches, safe for swimming, without strong currents, sharp deep holes, entry into the water is smooth. During the holiday season there are a lot of tourists, however, the infrastructure is not particularly developed.

Everything you need for a beach holiday is there. But the place still leaves a feeling of a “wild beach”. When tourists began to explore this “wild place”, but it can still be explored and explored, discovering more and more new beauties and amenities of this place.