Sri Lanka’s beaches will delight today’s traveller with more than 1,000 kilometres of sandy coastline to choose from and a year-round summer with two different weather systems, visitors will always find a beach with sunshine and calm seas. During the northeast monsoon rains from November to March, the west and southern coasts are beautifully sunny and calm. From April to October when the southwest moon appears, tranquil waters and steady sunshine can be enjoyed on the east cast.   

Dreams of tropical beach fringed by coconut palms, where the Indian Ocean sighs gently onto soft sand, really do come true in Sri Lanka. The warm sea bathes reefs where vivid tropical fish dart among the coral, and shipwrecks lie waiting to be explored. Large sheltered lagoons, where rivers meet the sea, create a fascinating habitat for marine and bird life, as well as an ideal environment for a range of water sports.   Read more...

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Several of the west coast beaches are found north of Colombo close to the International Airport. Negombo with its many long-established resorts, Waikkal, Seeduwa, Uswetakiyawa and Marawila are to name a few. This region includes a historic town with the remains of an ancient fort, lovely old Catholic churches, Dutch-built canals, local fishermen in their outrigger canoes and tranquil lagoons. Mt. Lavinia a suburb of Colombo has a popular beach, while resorts further south of the capital can be found at Wadduwa and Beruwela. The Bentota river separates the beaches, restaurants and bars of Beruwela from Bentota’s prime beach resorts. The largest number of beach resorts south of Bentota is found at Hikkaduwa with others at Induruwa, Kosgoda and Ahungalle. Coral reefs and turtle hatcheries attract visitors to Hikkadua to snorkel and see efforts to conserve endangered sea turtles. Galle, a UNESCO World Heritage site of enormous charm is located further south along the coast. Glorious beaches are found at Unawatuna, Koggala, Wligama, Dickwella, Tangalle and Hambantota.   

The pristine beaches of Sri Lanka’s East Coast are renowned for their soft white sand, enchanting bays and sleepy lagoons. Trincomalee with a fine natural harbour is close the beaches of Nilaveli, Uppuveli, Kuchchaveli, marble Bay, Deadman’s cove Sober and Pigeon Islands.   

To the south, the top east coast spots include Kalkudah and Pasekudah, with Aruga Bay – a 20 Km strip of glorious beaches and bays – achieving almost legendary status among surfers, who come here between April and October.   

The fine beaches in the far north of Jaffna Penninsula as will as Casuarina Beach and Manlkau, several nearly islands inhabited only by wildlife and birds beckon the adventure sun lover.   

Sri Lanka’s coastal resorts provide water sports such as snorkelling and scuba diving run by professionally qualified operators, wind surfing, parasailing and fishing as well as canoeing and water skiing on the lagoons. For those wanting to do more on land other than lounge in a deck chair there is badminton, archery, table tennis, squash or billiards. Many coastal resorts have Ayurveda spa facilities as well as lively entertainment and restaurants featuring ocean fresh seafood.   

A holiday in on of Sri Lanka’s coastal regions, where the accommodation ranges from simple home-stays to exclusive boutique hotels and large well-equipped resorts, is sure to fulfil everyone’s dream.   

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