On an island like Sri Lanka, the beaches suit all tastes: surfers, those who love sandier, greener, paradisiacal and even secret beaches, and those who want to experience a very local atmosphere. Above all, what Sri Lanka has is a rich seabed where it is easy to swim among whales or giant turtles that pass by you almost without flinching.
Where the best beaches are located
Negombo beach
This beach is very close to Colombo and is not your typical stretch of golden sand and paradise that you will find in other parts of the country. Nevertheless, it is one of the best examples of local beaches, where you can see how Sri Lankans interact with the sea. You will see fishermen at work, fish drying in the sun at the fish market, food and ice cream sellers, and musicians entertaining both foreign and local tourists.
It is home to many large hotels and seafood restaurants where locals come to enjoy the beach and good food.
Beruwala beaches
These paradisiacal beaches have turned a fishing village into one of Sri Lanka’s most popular beach holiday spots. Located in the west of the country, 65 kilometres from Colombo, Beruwala has become a cosmopolitan beach and a popular destination for foreigners who feel safe and at home in this paradise. It also has all the services you can imagine such as restaurants, hotels, bars and sun loungers along the beach so that you can enjoy a beautiful sunset.
Unawatuna beach
Many experienced travellers have written that Unawatuna is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world thanks to its fine sand, turquoise waters and the tranquillity of a sea protected by a double barrier reef.
Moreover, this immense bathing area is not only a favourite among tourists, but also among turtles who choose many of its sandbanks for nesting. It is the most natural part, full of mangroves, which is still unspoilt, because Unawatuna also has an area full of beach bars plus surf and diving schools where you can rent equipment to practice any water sports, eat fresh fish or enjoy a drink at sunset.
Mirissa beach
This is the most famous beach in Sri Lanka due to its characteristics and all the activities that can be done there. Mirissa is one of the best places for whale watching because it is a concentration point for whales and is very close to the beaches where the giant turtles lay their eggs, so you can see them going in and out of the sea as if nothing.
It is a good place for surfing and especially for snorkelling because, apart from the giant turtles, it has a very rich marine life, full of surprises.
The bathing area, with golden sand and coconut trees, is crescent-shaped and has incredible sunsets and is connected to Parrot Rock, a small island with a tropical forest where you can climb up for a beautiful view.
Mirissa has hotels to suit all tastes and many restaurants on the sandy beach where you can eat the fresh fish and seafood caught by the traditional stilt fishermen of the south of the country every day.
Ahangama beach
Ahangama is a surfer’s paradise because the waves and currents at this beach 22 kilometres from Galle enable both beginners and experts to enjoy themselves at all times.
There are numerous surf schools in the village and you can rent all the equipment you need without any problem.
For non-surfers, the large expanse of golden sand and palm trees is a magical place to relax and reconnect with nature in a very youthful and fun atmosphere. Also nearby is Koggala Lake, which is a lagoon full of mangrove swamps where you can take a fun boat ride to see many species of crabs, birds and lizards.
Hikkaduwa beach
This is one of the few examples of a semi-urban beach since it runs parallel to the road between Colombo and Galle, and is lined with hotels and restaurants. The best thing about Hikkaduwa is that it has the largest barrier reef on the west coast of Sri Lanka. Although it is true that a large part of the reef is already dead, there are thousands of different species of fish living around it, so snorkelling in this area is great fun.
If you do not want to get wet, you can take a trip on a glass-bottomed boat and enjoy the spectacular seabed view.
Hikkaduwa is also a good surfing area and a great place to see the giant turtles going in and out of the beach, especially in the mornings.
Weligama beach
Weligama is surfing territory thanks to the beach layout and the services it offers. It is one of the best places in the country to catch some waves, so the nightlife is very lively, mainly due to the surfing enthusiasts.
Nearby is the island of Taprobane, which is accessible from the sandy beach. This islet is private and has a hotel, but also a cove where you can see many boats anchored after a day of fishing.
Worth seeing in Weligama are the fishermen on stilts, an old tradition of how fish used to be caught in that part of Sri Lanka.
Bentota
The beaches in the west of the country were the first to develop long-stay tourism. Bentona is one of the best beaches in the area, with its vast stretches of golden sand and blue sea, which combine with a river and jungle so that you can do everything from safaris to all sorts of water sports among mangroves and lakes.
In this case, it could be called a beach paradise since it is 8 kilometres long and has some of the most luxurious and well-kept hotels in the area.
It is also an area where giant turtles go to nest, so snorkelling and diving in its waters holds surprises such as these animals, but also corals such as those at Canoe Rock.
Very close to the sea is the famous Galapota Temple, which is over 100 years old, and the statue of a giant Buddha that attracts tourism, creating a perfect destination for culture, sport and leisure.
Recommendations
The rainy season should be taken into account when choosing which beach to go to in Sri Lanka. Fortunately, the rain alternates between east and west, so you can always enjoy a seaside paradise on this island. The south-west area is ideal from November to March since the summer months tend to be rainy and the sea currents are stronger. The north-east is best from April to September.
In either case, be careful with the sun since the country is close to the equator and the sun’s rays are very direct. In fact, women in Sri Lanka carry umbrellas, sunscreen and sunglasses all day to protect themselves from the sun’s rays.
Insect repellent is also a must if you are going to a beach area since many are natural spots, full of mangroves, where insects abound.
Where to stay
If you are looking for central accommodation that allows you to move from one coast of Sri Lanka to the other, the best hotel is the Occidental Paradise Dambulla, close to the country’s main tourist attractions such as the Dambulla Caves and Lion Rock in Sigiriya. It is right in the heart of nature, which provides unique experiences such as dining or bathing among trees.
The rooms are adapted to the needs of the guests, whether you are travelling with your partner, friends or family, but they are all very comfortable and bright.
The hotel has two restaurants, one with a classic oven where they bake handmade pizzas, and two bars ideal for a refreshing drink by the pool.
It also has an Ayu Balinese Spa complete with a fully equipped Fitness Centre.
If you prefer staying on the beach itself, the Occidental Eden Beruwala is a magical hotel where the 158 rooms are decorated with local motifs to create the perfect atmosphere by the Indian Ocean.
It has several food areas and an Ayurvedic spa so that you enjoy the cuisine and disconnect from the world. There is also a beauty centre, hairdressing salon and a gym.