Sri Lanka’s coastline invites travellers with innumerable beaches, coves, and bays that draw sunbathers, fun seekers, and surfers all year. Wildlife also plays a role; beaches are critical breeding areas for endangered marine turtles, and blue whales have been spotted at sea.
Sri Lanka is a year-round destination but in general, the South-West coast is finest from November to April, and the East from May to September. Here’s a look at Sri Lanka's top beaches.
Unawatuna is a short distance from the historic Galle Fort, on the Southern coast of Sri Lanka. It is one of the most popular swimming beaches in Sri Lanka, even though it has seen a lot of development. It has calm blue water thanks to a reef that protects it from the waves. The palm-fringed shores and soft warm sands welcome tourists to sit and relax on one of the sun beds on the beach.
With its many shallow spots, the waters at Unawatuna Beach are perfect for snorkelling. A small shipwreck underwater adds to the sense of adventure. You can indulge in thrilling water sports such as scuba diving and jet skiing aor just laze around on the beautiful golden sand beach and soak up the sun.
For a spiritual experience, visit the Temple Yatagala Raja Maha Viharaya and seek blessings. Treat yourself to an Ayurveda massage and get pampered at the sanctuary spa. When it comes to food, head to the Thaproban Beach House and enjoy some authentic Sri Lankan cuisine. It's a must-visit for foodies! Plus, this beach is famous for turtle nesting, so you might be lucky enough to witness this incredible natural phenomenon.
Getting There
To get to Unawatuna, you'll need to travel 150 km from Colombo's BandaranaikeInternational Airport in Katunayaka. The journey through busy Colombo roads takes over 3 hours by private vehicles, but it's definitely worth it once you reach this paradise!
Polhena Beach located in the Matara district of Sri Lanka is one of the most beautiful beaches in Sri Lanka. It is popular among tourists for being an extremely safe sea to swim in. The coral reefs act as a natural barrier leading to calm waters.
It offers great opportunities for water sports and is also suitable for swimming, thanks to the soft coral reef that protects it from strong waves. This beach is a must-visit destination in Sri Lanka. The best time to visit Polhena Beach is from March to October.
During this time, you can enjoy a variety of activities, including snorkelling and diving in the pristine waters. You can also watch turtles up close and personal from the turtle-view balcony terrace. The beach is home to some of the most beautiful and untouched aquatic life, which is spread along the 4 km long coral reef.
Apart from water sports, you can also take a tour of the tranquil and scenic village and book a boat trip on the Nilwala Ganga River, where you can spot crocodiles and beautiful birds. Additionally, you can enjoy some live acrobatics, in shows put onby the locals right on the beach.
Getting There
To reach Polhena Beach, you can take a flight from Colombo airport.
Weligama, approximately 30 km East of Galle, is a beginner-friendly surfing beach with a long sandy bay that is ideal for surfing beginners because it has a gentle break over a sandy bottom. This beach is considered the safest for surfing since there are no sharks around. It's a great spot for diving and snorkelling due to the shallow coral reef surrounding it.
You can rent boards and take lessons from the surf shops on the west side of the bay, which are run by experienced local surfers.
A unique experience to witness is stilt fishing, a traditional fishing method, where fishermen perch on stilts driven into the sea bed. This unique sight is often photographed in Sri Lanka. Weligama Beach is also the departure point for whale-watching expeditions in the vicinity, making it a busy spot, particularly int he months of November to April when one can spot blue whale, sperm whale, and dolphins in the calm waters. .
Make sure to visit the Weligama lace weaving factory to see women weave lace that is sold to tourists.The gem and jewellery factory is worth a visit as well.
Getting There
To reach Weligama, you can take a bus to Matara and hire a tuk-tuk or rickshaw, which should take around 20 minutes.
A short distance from the historic city of Galle, approximately 150 km South of Colombo, lies the pristine beach - Mirissa. This crescent-shaped bay is famous for its whale-watching tours, which depart daily during the season providing a high chance of spotting blue whales.
Mirissa has more to offer than just whales – with waves suitable for beginners and experts, surfing is another activity to indulge in while at Mirissa. Surf schools and rentals by the beach cater to those who want the experience of riding the waves. If thrills are not your cup of tea, you can snorkel on the east side of Parrot Rock, surf on the west side, take a yoga class, or go for a scenic walk, such as to Mirissa’s (not so) Secret Beach.
Mirissa has plenty of restaurants and a lively evening scene. The best time to go is from December to March to see turtle hatching or from August to October. The beach is ideal for swimming, and the west side of the beach is known for water sports, especially surfing, and has a small coral reef. If you visit in December, you may also spot turtles laying eggs.
You can hire a boat and go fishing with the locals near the coral reef. For a more relaxing experience, you can visit one of the Ayurvedic centres in Mirissa for a massage. A river safari is worth the money as you can see nature at its best, with well-spread paddy fields surrounded by migratory birds and water animals.
Getting there
To reach Mirissa, you can take a bus heading to Matara or Tangalle from Fort in Colombo and ask to get out in Mirissa.
Located on the Southwest coast of Sri Lanka, Bentota routinely makes it to lists of top beaches around the world. Bentota has a long golden beach that ends in a sand spit that separates the Indian Ocean from a large lagoon. It offers water sports, good swimming, and lifeguards, making it attractive for families.
Bentota is a hub for water sports enthusiasts. Visitors can enjoy activities such as jet skiing, windsurfing, wakeboarding, and banana boat rides. The Madu River boat safari offers a tranquil journey through the thick mangroves, islands and small villages. You can visit cinnamon plantations on this trip too.
Bentota is known for its attempts toward the conservation of sea turtles and you too can visit one of the hatcheries to see the conservation efforts first-hand or even release a baby turtle into the sea.
Bentota Beach is a great option if you're looking for a less crowded beach experience. Visitors can try their hand at water sports such as water skiing and canoeing or visit the aquatic life protection center, and even release a turtle into the sea. For those looking to relax, there are Ayurvedic centres offering various spa treatments. Don't forget to book a river safari and whale-watching tour for an unforgettable experience. Start your day with a bicycle tour of the city and explore all its sights and sounds.
Getting there
To reach Bentota, you can take a bus from Galle or Colombo, as there is a good network of buses connecting these cities.