Surrounded on all sides by the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka has plenty of beautiful beaches for you to retreat to when the tropical temperatures get a bit too close for comfort. Let us show you our selection of the most beautiful beaches in Sri Lanka to know which spots you should put on the list for your visit. We checked out various spots and took some great photos to convince you to spend some time by the sea in between all the other Highlights in Sri Lanka.
Find the perfect beach so beach bums can catch some rays at a quieter beach, while adventure enthusiasts can go SCUBA diving and party people can make themselves at home on the dance floors of lively beach destinations.
Sandy shores, beautiful views, and sumptuous seafood are guaranteed at all of our recommended beaches. While there don’t forget to Instagram a sunset to make all your friends jealous.
Hikkaduwa Beach
Hikkaduwa Beach is well-known for its uniformity with the sunny-side of life. Be it sunbathing, sea-boat rides, scuba diving, and snorkelling by the reef or even surfing, the coastal waters of Hikkaduwa is just the place to find the picture-perfect scene for the sea, sun, sand and much fun. Renting or buying almost any form of swim gear is easy here, with the Hikkaduwa town at a mere arm’s length from the beach. Shops here have been catering to tourists for many years and are amply seasoned in knowing their wants and needs, away from home. From scrumptiously affordable seafood restaurants to garments of any sort, the Hikkaduwa beach has a long-running ‘thumbs up’ reputation by its countless visitors. Hikkaduwa beach can be reached in under an hour and a half on the Southern Expressway, from Colombo and many other coastal and non-coastal cities alike. Located on the South Coast you can also visit popular southern cities like Galle, Ambalangoda from this location. Peak visiting months include November and April, however, January to March is also recommended.
Tangalle Beach
Hidden deep in the southern coast, the beaches of Tangalle are made for the visual admirer. With the ocean set in dark blue and you with a fresh drink in your hand ready for a relaxing stay, then you would be in the right place. If you do fancy a spot of sea bathing then head west of Tangalle town to where a few naturally secured bays between rocky promontories caress calmer waters. Sunbathing, on the other hand, is recommended for the east part of town where the warm sandy beaches are far too irresistible to pass on a tan. Take the Southern Expressway to Tangalle to cut your journeying time by half and be sure to keep these months in mind; November to April and May through October, for best climatic conditions.
Arugam Bay Beach
Arugam Bay is famous for its surfing points that attract surfers from around the world. Many of them make Arugam Bay their home during the surfing period, which is from April to October. Arugam Bay Point, which is at the tip of the bay is considered to be an advanced point, where the waves can rise to a height of five to ten meters depending on the swell and oceanic conditions. As such Arugam Bay point is a haven for experienced surfers. The actual ‘bay’ of Arugam Bay is peppered with small cosy hotels. One area of the beach is full of fishing boats as that is the livelihood of the coastal area, but this does not disturb the surfers.
Unawatuna Beach
Unawatuna beach draws both local and foreign visitors who have come to love this paradise isle profoundly, as well as the newbies. Unawatuna brings to life incalculable resorts, hotels, restaurants and small kiosks selling various goodies from seafood to clothing. Although most Galle town beaches, on the one hand, lure visitors through its irresistible magnetism of sun, sea, sand, and relaxation, Unawatuna beach is all those and also an ideal place to take a dip in the ocean or indulge in some waters sports with the family. Take the Southern Expressway from Colombo for a quick beach getaway or even a spot of sea turtle watching. For beautiful weather and calmer seas visit in November or April. The beautiful bay of Unawatuna was formerly renowned worldwide for its beach but erosion has shrunk it, although its popularity for after-beach action remains undiminished.
Mirissa/ Weligama Beach
Mirissa beach on the southwest of the country is touted to be one of Sri Lanka’s most scenic beach. You can click selfies here with your loved ones. Mirissa beach itself is beautiful with some awesome sunset. However, the waters are rough with crazy wild waves which can make you tumble. Mirissa is an Instagram Hit so make sure to put those pictures up on Instagram for everyone to see. Two Beaches are located close to each other. tourists coming to Mirissa go Surfing and whale watching as well. Best time to visit Mirissa/ Weligama beach is October to mid of April
Pasikudah Bay and Kalkudah Beach
Located on the East Coast of Sri Lanka, a visit to the shores of Passekudah is an experience in itself. Pasikudah Bay is to the north of Batticaloa nestled on one side of Kalkudah beach. A perfect spot for sea-bathing, Passekudah Bay’s flatbed is a great opportunity to take advantage of good and safe wade or swim to as far as 200 meters from the shoreline. The shared shores of Passekudah and Kalkudah are reef secured and thus the ocean waves are a lot calmer in this part of the Eastern Coast. Around dawn, and if you’re lucky enough to be up that early, sights of deep-sea fisherman bringing back the previous night’s catch on to the beach can be seen, where many vendors from the island over await their best buys. The Kalkudah beach is ideal for surfing and windsurfing during the month of September, which is also considered the best month to visit the East Coast.
Kalpitiya Beach
Kalpitiya, located in the North West of Sri Lanka, is a collection of 14 islands and it is famous for its waterfront beauty. This beautiful stretch of sand attracts a lot of tourists and the beach is truly bestowed with scenic beauty. The warm sands and the tropical climate makes Kalpitiya Beach a perfect place for sunbathing. Kalpitiya region is basically a marine sanctuary with habitats of various marine creatures. The water near the Kalpitiya Beach is home to Spinner dolphins and a rare species of Sperm Whale, during the months of December to Mid April which makes this beach an attraction. While at Kalpitiya you can go snorkelling in the deep waters of the ocean and explore bar Reef, which is a beautiful coral garden at the centre of the ocean, offering the greatest biodiversity as compared to other reefs in Sri Lanka. Taking short boat ride you can explore nearby mangroves, hidden wonders around the beach or enjoy a jeep rides along the sandy dunes of the beach along with spectacular views of the sunset. The best time to visit Kalpitiya Beach is during the dry months, preferably between October to May. It is a great time for water sports including kayaking, windsurfing and go kitesurfing.
The great thing: this country is a year-round holiday destination due to the fact that the monsoon is different depending on the area.