Sri Lanka has so many wonderful beaches you’ll probably want to visit them all! Here are 7 of the very best. Whichever spot you chose, we guarantee you won’t forget this remarkable island in a hurry.
1. Bentota
This lovely west coast beach will leave you spoilt for choice when it comes to activities. Sailing, scuba diving, deep-sea fishing and windsurfing are just some of the things to enjoy, plus a fine selection of bars and restaurants and an impressive range of accommodation from budget to luxury. Of course you can simply lie on the beach and enjoy the view of the palm-lined shoreline. It really is stunning.
2. Arugum Bay
Situated on the east coast, this is Sri Lanka’s foremost surfing beach. With waves at Arugum Bay Point reaching heights of ten metres, experienced surfers have spent the season here since the 1970s. Even if you’re not a surfer, this tranquil spot is great for a relaxing beach holiday. Dotted with small, welcoming hotels, this is also a good base from which to explore the interior.
3. Nilaveli
The beautiful, white sand beach at Nilaveli is a wonderful place to watch the world go by. Swim in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean or take a boat ride to Pigeon Island. The coral reef here is home to many exotic creatures, making this the foremost place for snorkelling in Sri Lanka. If you’re lucky you may even see a reef shark! There’s a small number of mid to high-end hotels – perfect if you’re looking for a quiet hideaway.
4. Kalpitiya
Kalpitiya Beach is the place for luxury hotels, pristine sand and, above all, whale and dolphin watching. Take an early morning boat trip to discover these extraordinary creatures. Sperm whales, minkes and playful pods of spinner dolphins all frequent these waters. You may even spot the majestic blue whale – the world’s largest animal and a truly awesome sight indeed. This is definitely one of those ‘once in a lifetime’ locations.
5. Unawatuna
This lovely, horseshoe-shaped beach is popular with locals and visitors alike. It’s a good spot for family fun with numerous activities and excursions on offer, and there’s a good selection of accommodation in the bustling little village. Unawatuna is a short bus ride from the fascinating old town of Galle – a UNESCO World Heritage Site and well worth a visit.
6. Tangalle
For a romantic retreat with plenty of variety, this stylish southern town is the place to go. The irresistible white sand beach is lined with boutique hotels and excellent restaurants. Swim in the astonishingly blue ocean, explore the rugged coastline, go turtle spotting or head to the interior to discover rock temples and elephants. This really is a magical spot.
7. Hikkaduwa
Hikkaduwa is where the party people go. This vibrant town is the place for sun, sea and nightlife. Relax on the beach, visit the turtle hatchery, take a boat trip or go shopping for the perfect souvenir. In the evening, settle down in a tasty restaurant or join the beautiful people at one of the many nightclubs. The hotels range from guesthouses to 4 and 5-star properties.
Contact Adventure Lanka Tours to plan your own extraordinary adventure in Sri Lanka.
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Testimonials
" I loved Sri Lanka. The most stunningly beautiful country with smiling happy people. My holiday was very well organized and ran very smoothly. My guide made it a very special time for me. "
" As we hoped it has been a very good introduction to Sri Lanka with support from Adventure Lanka. It’s been a full week with a wide variety of activities, covering history, culture, nature and village life – Just as we requested. We now feel more confident to explore independently. The mix of style of accommodation has worked well. We particularly with to highly praise the wonderful welcome from Ajith’s family in Attanakadawala (AK village) and Chandra’s in Riverstone. The cooking was amazing – as good or better than in the resort hotels!!! We loved being with the family in AK. Bird watching, picnic at the river, funny transport and dancing with grandma. "
" This has truly been the trip of a lifetime. I knew we were in good hands starting during the planning process secondary to Rajiv’s professionality. He was flexible in meeting the needs of our time/date requirements. And was amenable to assembling an itinerary that met our needs as tourists. Communication via email was easy as my questions/concerns were always addressed almost immediately. In fact, I wonder if Rajiv ever sleeps as it happens, he answers emails at all times of day/night. About the tour, it was a beautiful, journey. We were impressed with the kindness and generosity of the local people, awed by a culture very different form our own and felt we caught a glimpse into the daily life of a Sri Lankan citizen. Lalith was our guide and for that we were most fortunate. He provided epic professionalism, insight into his culture, impressive driving skills, A few good laughs, and an incredible wealth of knowledge. Thank you so much, as this adventure has provided memories that will last us a lifetime. "