Sri Lanka best beaches in winter. The best beaches in Sri Lanka for swimming. The best beaches without waves

The beaches of Sri Lanka stretch along the entire coast, as if encircling the island. Typically, the beaches of Sri Lanka are divided into three large regions - Western, Southern and Eastern Beaches. On Western Beaches They usually go for hotel comfort, to the South - for white sand and a pleasant atmosphere, and to the East - for an authentic experience in finding non-tourist places.

Morning in Kalpitiya Lagoon. Photo credit: Roshan Hatharasinghe, Flickr

When choosing a hotel in Sri Lanka, Always check the location on the map - in Sri Lanka there are a lot of housing options located “between” large and more or less large beaches, such hotels and villas often have access to private beaches, but at the same time cut off from the infrastructure of large beaches - restaurants, bars, local spas, etc.

If you want to live on a budget, look at the options for guest houses in villages and cities or beach hotels and villas away from popular beaches.

Western beaches of Sri Lanka

Western beaches are most often associated with the southwestern part of the coast, which stretches from Vaduva to. The beaches here are huge, with golden sand. This part of the coast is the most developed on the island, the infrastructure includes great amount different hotels, villas and guest houses, although on the coast you can also find tiny pretty villages with wild beaches. Northern part west coast, on the contrary, is underdeveloped and authentic.

The most popular beaches in the regions are Hikkaduwa.

Beaches of Kalpitiya

The Kalpitiya Peninsula is the most Northern part west coast. It is an elongated 40-kilometer strip of land, separated from the main coast by a large lagoon. This is the best place in Sri Lanka for dolphin (and sometimes whale) watching and kite surfing. On the beaches of the peninsula you can find absolutely charming eco-resorts and cute guest houses. In addition, the coast is slowly beginning to be built up with beach hotels and resorts.

Eco-lodges and guest houses: Kalpitiya
How to get there: by local bus from Negombo (about 3 hours), by taxi from/to the airport (136 km) and Anuradhapura (115 km).

Kalpitiya Lagoon. Photo credit: Indi Samarajiva, Flickr

Negombo Beach

Negombo Beach is a popular starting point for traveling around Sri Lanka as it is located close to the airport. Here you can lie on the beach for a couple of days before your trip, watch the local fishermen and eat delicious seafood. The choice of accommodation ranges from budget guest houses in the urban part of Negombo to cute beach hotels that stretch along the coast. When planning a stop in Negombo, keep in mind that swimming in the ocean in the Negombo area is unlikely to be possible, as there are always huge waves and strong currents.

Hotels and guest houses: Negombo
How to get there: by plane from anywhere in the world (CMB), from the airport by taxi ($10-15), by tuk-tuk ($7-8), hotel transfer or bus (daytime only); by bus to Colombo (30 min), Kandy (3-4 hours), Sigiriya (4 hours), Anuradhapura (4-5 hours)

Fishermen in Negombo / Beaches of Sri Lanka / Photo credit: Jason Jones, Flick

Wellaveit and Mount Lavinia beaches (Colombo)

Colombo's two city beaches are a beach alternative to Negombo as a starting point for traveling around the island. It is not worth considering the city beaches of Colombo as a beach stop, but as an alternative accommodation in Colombo it is a very good option.

City beach in Colombo. Photo credit: Nuno Reis, Flickr

Wadduwa Beach

Wadduwa - the first big beach on the way from Colombo along the southwest coast, located next to a small fishing village. The wide and long sandy beach with golden sand and generous shade of palm trees and a very calm atmosphere are ideal for a romantic holiday, and the proximity to Colombo makes Wadduwa quite an attractive beach for the first/last stop on the island.

A pleasant feature of housing in Wadduwa is that almost all hotels, both stylish and expensive and nice and budget, stretch along the beach. Available infrastructure includes a couple of local restaurants and small shops.

Hotels and guest houses: Wadduwa

Wadduwa Beach. Photo credit: Patsy Jennings, Flickr

Beaches of Kalutara

The beaches of Kalutara stretch on both sides of the city, a little further from Kalutara itself. The holiday format here is calm, the hotels are very good, although the tourist infrastructure is largely limited to hotel infrastructure.

Beach hotels and city hotels: Kalutara
How to get there: by train from Colombo, Galle and west coast cities, by bus or taxi from south coast cities, by taxi from/to the airport

Wedding decorations on Kalutara beach. Photo credit: Prebudda Jayasinhe, Flickr

Moragala Beach (Beruwela)

Moragalla Beach is located immediately south of the village of Beruwela next to the village of Hettimula. Traditionally, on the west coast of Sri Lanka, the main part of guest houses and small hotels are located in villages, along the beaches there are beach hotels and villas. The beach itself is small by Sri Lankan standards - about 1.5 kilometers, the Bentota River overlooks the southern part of the beach, it is better to look for housing in the northern part of the beach - here, firstly, it is cleaner, and secondly, there are more cafes and restaurants. To the north of the beach there are coves and hotels located on the cliffs.

Hotels, inns, guest houses: Moragalla Beach, Beruwella, Hettimula
How to get there: by train from Colombo, Galle and the cities of the west coast to Beruwella station (to the village) or Hettimula (to the resort area of Beruwella), by bus or taxi from the cities of the southern coast, by taxi from/to the airport.

Moragalla Beach. Photo credit: Ken Farge LRPS, Flickr

Bentota Beach

- the largest and most popular resort on the South-West coast of Sri Lanka. This resort region received its name from the town of Bentota, located on the northern bank of the Bentota Ganga River flowing into the ocean. Bentota is famous for two things - good villa hotels and turtle nurseries.

The most famous and most developed beach in the region is Bentota Beach, located next to the village of the same name. There are several large ones along the beach beach hotels. The bulk of relatively inexpensive villas and budget guest houses, as well as local cafes and restaurants, stretch along Pitaramba Road, next to the beach.

Bentota Beach /Beaches of Sri Lanka/ Photo credit: Fernand Repond, Flick

Induruwa Beach

Induruwa is a town located about 7 km from Bentota, super- perfect place for those who want a beach with inexpensive accommodation and turtles. The beach is quite large and clean, along the beach there are good restaurants with local seafood.

Induruwa Beach. Photo credit: Galuge, Flickr

Kosgoda Beach

Kosgoda is a small fishing village 10 km from Bentota, turtle farms along the coast, very good value for money hotels and villas. The main disadvantages are that the infrastructure is limited to hotel infrastructure; there are practically no restaurants or shops on Kosgoda beach.

Kids rush to the sea, Kosgoda beach. Photo credit: Michael, Flick

Ahungalla

- a very pleasant small town halfway from Bentota to Hikkaduwa, about 15 km from Bentota. Great beach, turtles, inexpensive housing, and the presence of very good restaurants and cafes along the beach.

Ahungalla. Photo credit: Leonora (Ellie) Enking, Flick

Hikkaduwa

- most south beach west coast, bordering the south. In the 70s it was the favorite beach of the “hippies”, today it is a more democratic version of the popular and stylish Bentote. Having lost its charming hippie charm, and with it the fans of atmospheric places, Hikkaduwa relied on young backpackers, surfers and divers.

These days in Hikkaduwa you can find a lot of good inexpensive housing, restaurants, bars and nightclubs. By the way, the famous summer parties of Hikkaduwa are considered the best on the coast of Sri Lanka.

Free atmosphere of Hikkaduwa beach. Photo credit: Sri Lanka Travel and Tourism, Flick

Southern beaches of Sri Lanka

The southern beaches of Sri Lanka stretch south from Hikkaduwa all the way to the southern national parks Badulla and Yala. The undoubted favorites of the region are the beaches of Unawatuna and Tangalla - large beaches with a lot of different accommodation and beach infrastructure. Between the big beaches and towns along the coast there are many tiny beaches with large free-standing beach hotels or tiny villages offering guesthouses and homestays.

Galle beaches

Galle beaches are a fairly large part of the coast that stretches from Hikkaduwa to Galle with small beaches, big hotels, small beach villas and bungalows. The beach infrastructure here is limited to hotel infrastructure; almost every hotel along the coast, regardless of class and price, has its own bar, restaurant, as well as its own piece of the beach with beach umbrellas and sunbeds. To the entertainment of Hakkaduwa and - just short trip by tuk-tuk or local train.

Fishermen on the beach in Galle. Photo credit: Rebel Photo Man, Flick

Unawatuna Beach

Unawatuna is the most popular beach on the south coast. Large, with white sand, beautiful views and a large selection of accommodation from comfortable hotels to budget bungalows, good restaurants and excellent surfing spots.

Unawatuna beach. Photo credit: Milivoje Krvavac, Flick

Lazy atmosphere of Koggala beach. Photo credit: Olaf (califaxe), Flick

Ahangama and Midingama

Ahangama and Midingama are two villages bordering each other, an area of the coast that is considered the best surfing in the region. The entire infrastructure here is aimed at surfers - a lot of good cheap housing, affordable restaurants and bars, surf camps and clubs.

Ahangama - perfect place for surfers. Photo credit: Chathurai, Flick

Weligama

- a fishing village located next to a large bay of the same name. The beach is long, sandy, built up with a mixture of hotels and guest houses. A super place for those who want to get on a board - there are small waves, many surf schools, a good beach and cheap seafood.

Weligama, appropriate place to learn how to surf without fear of ridicule. Photo credit: IBI Productions, Flick

Mirissa Beach

– snow-white beach, coconut palms, cozy bungalows hidden in a coconut grove, restaurants on the beach and gorgeous sunsets. You can come to Mirissa Beach for a couple of days and stay for a couple of weeks. In the northern part of the beach there is a good spot for surfing. It is also convenient to go whale watching from Mirissa.

Sunset on Mirissa. Photo credit: Su Byair, Flick

Polhena Beach

Polhena Beach is not even a beach, but rather a beach area with small beaches along the coast. There is a pretty good selection of inexpensive beach hotels and villas. Near Matara and a fishing village, it can get crowded on weekends. Beach holiday with local flavor.

Polhena on the weekend. Photo credit: Alain Bachelier, Flick

Talalla

Talalla Beach is located in a small picturesque bay just beyond Matara towards Yala. In terms of infrastructure - several hotels, beach bungalows, a couple of restaurants, a surf camp. Idyllic, peaceful place.

View of Talalla Beach. Photo credit: Dave & Hanka Midgley, Flick

Dickwella

- it's a little secret South Coast. The beach is located in a picturesque bay far from everything) The housing format here is mainly villas at a fairly reasonable price. Nearby is a fishing village with a good market and shops. There are a couple of good restaurants on the beach. Further along the coast there are small bays and beaches. Super - an option for a relaxing family vacation.

Dickwella is the South Coast's little secret. Photo credit: katoomba36, Flick

It's no secret that more than half of the beaches in Sri Lanka are considered among the best in the world. And there are explanations for this. First of all, they are clean. Secondly, they are completely covered with sand, which is a pleasure to step on with bare feet. And thirdly, all beaches are the creation of nature itself, not man. Therefore, they are unique and there are no such beaches anywhere else. But such wonderful beaches also have their downside, and this downside is the waves, and sometimes very large ones. Therefore, tourists who are going here on vacation will first find out where the beaches without waves are in Sri Lanka. We have collected information that will help you choose the best beach in Sri Lanka for families with children at any time of the year. You can relax here in January, February, March and any other month of the year. And so, let's watch.

Beach – Unawatuna

Back in 2004, the famous TV channel “Discovery” called this beach the best in the world. Years have passed, but the beach is still good and welcomes tourists. There are no big waves here, it is almost always smooth.

The beach itself has a semicircular shape, which decorates it and makes it special. This small lagoon is known for its shallow depth. The greatest depth is no more than 6 meters, and even then you still have to swim to it. Therefore, tourists with children prefer to come here.
The beach is sandy, there are no stones or shells on it. It is completely safe for absolutely everyone. Elephants are not allowed here and you don’t have to be afraid that when you open your eyes you will see a herd of elephants in front of you.

Diving enthusiasts gather on the beach. They dive underwater and admire underwater world. Fish, corals. Plants and sunken ships. It's rare to see something like this in one place.

Find out about prices in Sri Lanka. To be ready for anything. You will understand from the article. Why are fruits and vegetables expensive here, but laptops are the cheapest in the world?

Nilaveli is the best beach according to travel agencies.
If a travel agency tells you that Nilaveli Beach is the best on the entire coast of Sri Lanka, then believe them. It is so indeed. Ask any tourist who has been to the country, and he will say that this is the best place to relax.

On the beach White sand, and the water in the sea is the cleanest in the area. Many fish swim here, who, just like people, want to enjoy the cleanliness and beauty of the place. There are a lot of tourists on the beach. Although it is located at a distance from the resort of Colombo. But tourists rush here from early morning to take a seat and enjoy their vacation.

Fans of scuba diving also do not bypass the beach. They have their favorite place here. Where they gather and dive underwater together to once again enjoy the beautiful views of the underwater life of the ocean.

Negombo is a beach with cheap seafood.
This beach not only has no waves, but is also famous for its cheap seafood.
It is from here that boats and fishing ships depart to catch squid, fish, oysters and other ocean inhabitants. So local cafes and restaurants always have fresh and inexpensive seafood food.

Negombo is also famous for its centuries-old buildings. It was on this beach that fortresses and churches were built when the country was part of the Dutch colony.
The beach is very popular with tourists and locals. It's fun here, sports games are held on the sands, and children are always under the supervision of lifeguards.

Mirissa is a beach for romantics.
There are very few hotels on the coast where this beach is located. There are only ten of them, so there are very few tourists in this place.
Newlyweds and people in love come here. Sitting by the ocean and enjoying a beautiful sunset is a favorite pastime of all couples. The beach itself is small, but there is a lot on it cozy places, where you can retire and listen to the sound of the ocean, the cries of birds and say goodbye to the passing day.

Everyone will like this beach, because everything here is so natural and unique. Beach coastline made of sand of different colors. And the entrance to the water is shallow, so you can enter the ocean 10-15 meters and still be standing in the water.

These are the four beaches we offer you to choose from. Remember, these are beaches without big waves. In fact, there are more than a thousand beaches in Sri Lanka.

Tatiana Solomatina

Short review beach resorts Sri Lanka

Greetings, dear readers! Despite the fact that the island is surrounded on all sides by the ocean and is accordingly rich in beaches, you need to choose a resort here especially carefully.

Don’t forget that the ocean is not a quiet lake; there are huge waves here that can ruin your vacation due to the inability to enter the water. Tourists planning to explore the beaches of Sri Lanka should carefully choose a resort.

Sri Lanka is an island in the Indian Ocean, coastline which is 1340 km. Despite the fact that the beach season lasts here all year round, because of climatic conditions It is better to go to the northeast in the summer months, and to the southwest in the winter. You can read more about the island's climate.

There are many resorts in the southwest, almost all of them have good infrastructure. There are enough hotels of different levels here, it’s not difficult to find budget housing from local residents. In my opinion, you need to choose the beaches of Sri Lanka based on the time of year and the suitability of the resort to your desires.

Colombo and Negombo

Colombo and Negombo beach holiday don't fit at all. It's a good place to stop for a break before a long flight or during excursions. Due to proximity big city, the ocean is dirty, nearby major metropolis with all the ensuing consequences.

Hikkaduwa

Hikkaduwa is perfect for young people and active tourists. It is located 100 km from the airport and has a well-developed infrastructure. On Fridays, one of the hotels hosts noisy beach parties. Lots of accommodations ranging from expensive hotels and ending with cheap rooms. The coastline stretches for 10 km, but the waves here are very large, and there is compressed yellow sand on the shore. Read a guide to Hikkaduwa beach.

Bentota

Bentota is a beautiful resort 65 from Colombo. There are many package tours offered here. The whole city is tailored to the life of tourists, there are many cafes and shops, a wide choice of accommodation. The coastline is very wide and the waves are quite strong. There are small calm coves, but they are difficult to find right away. If you stay on the outskirts, then in the evening entertainment is limited only to the hotel area.

Beruwella

Beruwella is located five kilometers from Bentota, it is a young resort. Here they relax package tours, finding housing on your own is problematic. The beach holiday is the same as in Bentota, only a little less crowded and quieter. This is a favorite resort of tourists from Europe; there are expensive hotels. The coastline is very beautiful with coconut trees and white sand.

Unawatuna

Unawatuna is a small sheltered bay, an excellent place for families with children. Very beautiful beach, shallow ocean, almost no waves. Everything tourists need is here; there are no noisy parties. However, there are many people because budget holiday and a swimmable ocean.

Galle is not suitable for a beach holiday at all; it is an excursion city. The beach is urban with all the ensuing consequences.

Weligama

Weligama – quiet resort place with a beautiful three-kilometer beach. However, the waves here are so strong that swimming is very difficult. There is almost nothing for vacationers. Suitable for a secluded holiday and for surf lovers.

Mirissa

Mirissa – small town in the south of Sri Lanka. The infrastructure was built for tourists, but it is much quieter and calmer here than in Unawatuna. The central beach is also very stormy, but there are small coves with calm water nearby. After nine in the evening there is no entertainment.

Dikwella is a small fishing town in Sri Lanka, which has a couple of expensive hotels and some private housing. The ocean is very clean and the beaches are beautiful. You can find a place without waves. For a quiet, secluded holiday, there are almost no people here.

Tangalle – Big City in the south of Sri Lanka with very beautiful beach, but swimming is impossible due to the strongest waves on the coast. The coastline is very long, you can always find a secluded place. There is no entertainment at all.

Koggala is not the most developed and popular resort in Sri Lanka near Galle. There is a busy road along the coast, so you won’t feel like you’re on Bounty Island, although coconut palms grow along the coastline. All life here is spent on the beach and main street, where several shops and a bank are located.

Beaches in northeast Sri Lanka

Trincomalee

In the northeastern region of Sri Lanka the situation is the opposite; there are few places for recreation. There is only one main resort - Trincomalee. The infrastructure here is also quite developed, but it is located very far from international airport and getting here is not easy.

Uppuveli, Nilaveli and Arugam Bay

There are several other small villages - Uppuveli, Nilaveli and Arugam Bay (bay), but there is nothing there at all. However, magnificent beaches with snow-white sand attract tourists who prefer calm, quiet rest. Very comfortable to relax with small children. There is a small coral island not far from the coast. It's easy to get to, local residents For a certain fee, they are happy to deliver everyone there.

When going on holiday to Sri Lanka, not all tourists realize that around the island - Indian Ocean, not a calm sea. There are gorgeous beaches with coconut trees and clean white sand, but full swimming in the ocean is possible only in small enclosed coves, of which there are very few here. Tourists often complain that when they go into waist-deep water, it is difficult to stand on their feet, the waves are so strong that they knock even strong men off their feet. Vacationers have to be content with walks along the coast and careful swimming near the shore.

I wrote separately how treacherous the ocean is - how I almost returned from the island as a widow, see. I recommend giving the information to your men to read; the confession of the injured husband may make them think. You can find out what else a tourist needs to know before visiting Sri Lanka in my article.”

Perhaps you have your own story of visiting Sri Lanka, write a story in the “Readers Travel” section. Read more about this. If the article was useful to you, share it with your friends on social networks, maybe they will also want to visit this island. Leave comments and subscribe to blog updates, new readers are always welcome. With this I say goodbye to you, I hope the information helped you when choosing a beach in Sri Lanka.

Tatiana Solomatina

Check out the best beaches in Sri Lanka. Ceylon is a huge island surrounded on all sides by the ocean. There are so many beaches in Sri Lanka that even a month would not be enough to explore them all. We will tell you and show you the beaches that travelers choose when coming to Sri Lanka on vacation on a package tour or on their own.

Endless beaches in Sri Lanka

The most popular beaches in Sri Lanka

What most beaches in Sri Lanka have in common is yellow and coarse sand, high waves, length of coastline. At first it may seem that all the beaches of Sri Lanka are very similar to each other. Taking a closer look, you notice some differences. For example, somewhere there will be tall palm trees, and moving to the south of the island, it becomes more blue water.

Large ocean waves in Sri Lanka are always and on all beaches. Only a few closed small bays allow you to swim with minimal waves, or even without waves at all.

From Negombo all the way to Hikkaduwa, sun loungers are rare on the beaches, and there are no beach restaurants at all. Not developed in Sri Lanka beach activities. Jet skis have only been spotted in Mirissa. But the locals offer boating or fishing.

Harassment of tourists on the beach in Sri Lanka is practiced everywhere. Traders, guides, scourge fights. It’s best not to communicate with these people, ignore them completely, then they’ll leave behind.

All the main beaches of Sri Lanka are marked schematically on the map:

Let's start in order from north to south.

Negombo

Negombo beach is very long, uncrowded, but far from the cleanest in Sri Lanka. Suitable for those who want to quickly get to the nearest beach from the airport. Negombo is definitely not the place where you should go for your entire vacation with the hope of swimming in the ocean. Read our report.

On housing in Negombo we have in our blog with good reviews. Among the hotels within walking distance from the shore, the following good options can be distinguished:

Heritance Negombo
Cloud 9 Boutique Hotel

Marawila

Marawila beach is located 20 km north of Negombo and is, as it were, a continuation of it. However, the views are a little more picturesque, there is more greenery, and even fewer people. Where to stay in Marawila:

Club Palm Bay
Solomon Beach Hotel

Wadduwa

Wadduwa Beach is very secluded and non-touristy. Apart from fishermen, you won’t see many people on the shore here. The beach is visually beautiful with tall, hanging palm trees. read our review.

There are enough hotels in Hikkaduwa, prices vary, from cheap guest houses to four and five-star hotels with their own beach. See our selection. We lived in a hotel. A new and inexpensive 4-star hotel, located almost in the center, across the road from the sea.

The best options for relaxing on Hikkaduwa beach:

Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon
Coral Sands Hotel
KAI Hotel

Unawatuna

Unawatuna Beach is the most popular beach in Sri Lanka. And for good reason. Unawatuna has the bluest water and the smallest waves. Suitable for families with children and even for those who cannot swim. In addition, it is a very developed area. .

There is a lot of inexpensive housing. The most popular options for staying in Unawatuna are:

Calamander Unawatuna Beach Resort
SHORE by HOPPA
The Lodge Unawatuna

Koggala

Koggala beach is several kilometers of deserted ocean beach with yellow sand and palm trees. Can be attributed to wild beaches, despite 10 hotels. It is not safe to swim fully, since the waves are large and the beach is not monitored outside the hotels. . Where to stay:

The Fortress Resort & Spa
The Long Beach Resort

Weligama

Weligama beach is more of a beach for surfers, Weligama Bay is cute and party-friendly, there is definitely a highlight. Selection. Good options for stopping:

Weligama Bay Marriott Resort
W15 Hotel Weligama

Mirissa

Mirissa beach is good in everything. Beautiful coastline, unique views, clear water. There is an opportunity to fight against the high waves or find a secluded corner where there are no waves. .

Accommodation is dominated by guesthouses. Most of them are close to the ocean. In Mirissa we lived in a guest house for $30 per night, a 3-minute walk from the beach. We've compiled a list based on reviews and location.

Ocean Reach Holidays
Citrine Mirissa
Blue Whale Holiday Hotel

Matara

The beaches in Matara are wild, urban, fishing and dirty. The coast of Matara is more for contemplation than for swimming. No one takes care of it properly, so the beach is public in every sense of the word. To stay in this area, it is better to choose the neighboring villages of Mirissa or Dikwella.

Dickwella

Dikwella beach is not the most popular beach in Sri Lanka. The beach is little known among tourists. A large deserted bay. There are waves in Dickwella, like everywhere else in Sri Lanka, but there are waves nearby picturesque beach without waves Hiriketei, which can be reached on foot. For accommodation in Dikwella, these are the hotels worth considering:

Crystal Resort Dickwella
Dickwella Resort and Spa
Dickwella Beach Hotel

Hiriketiya

Hiriketiya Beach - secret beach. It is a cove, popular among surfers, but there are places for swimming without waves at all. One of the few beaches in the country where it is cozy, calm and has blue water. . Hotels near Hiriketiya Beach:

Pepper Hiriketiya
Dots Bay House
Salt House

Tangalle

Tangalla beach is preferred by advanced tourists, because this beach is one of the farthest in Sri Lanka. Despite the fact that it does not stand out too much with any special features, many value it for its privacy. In general, this is an ordinary beach for Sri Lanka, like dozens of others. Long, with yellow sand, big waves and not the most best choice hotels. But a few good options there is housing here:

Golden Pearl Tangalle
Sea View Tourist Inn
Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort

Which beach to choose in Sri Lanka

Best beaches Sri Lanka - Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna and Mirissa. For most tourists they will be the best choice. These beaches are good in their own way; you can spend some time on each of them. unforgettable vacation. You can also add Bentota to this list, but this area is poorly developed, there are few cafes and tourist infrastructure.

Little-known and non-tourist beaches are usually unkempt and littered. There are many fishermen and dogs on them.
If you go to areas such as Negombo, Wadduwa, Kalutra, then you should only check into a good expensive hotel and be prepared to eat in the hotel restaurant, since there may not be anything nearby.
Apart from relaxing in a hotel and excursions, tourists in such places have nothing to do and nowhere to go.
The distant beaches of Sri Lanka, such as Dickwella, Tangalle or Hambantota, are suitable for lovers of a deserted ocean coast. There you can find many hotels where there is nothing, no cafes, no houses within a radius of several kilometers. Not everyone will like this, so keep this feature in mind.

Write in the comments what is your favorite beach in SHL? Which beach would you say is the best?

Review best resorts and beaches of Sri Lanka: map, description, season, pros and cons. Find out where the best beach holidays are on the island!

Sri Lanka has many wonderful resorts with good beaches and not bad developed infrastructure. In this review you will learn about the most popular resorts and beaches of Sri Lanka. We will tell you about a beach holiday in Sri Lanka: what is good about each resort, how to spend time on vacation and when is the best time to go on vacation.

Map of resorts and beaches of Sri Lanka

List of the best resorts in Sri Lanka

Negombo is located closer than other resorts to Colombo airport - the distance to it is about 30 km. This is very convenient for tourists who have had a long flight. The place is more famous for its fishing conditions than for beach holidays: coastal waters abound big amount fish, their migration period occurs during the high tourist season. The large seafood market is one of Negombo's most famous attractions. Negombo has reefs, which makes the place popular among divers.

Beach holidays in Negombo are mediocre: the water is muddy, some areas of the shore are occupied by fishermen, where they lay out gear and dry fish. There are few umbrellas and sunbeds, as well as water activities, the only exceptions are expensive hotels.

Nevertheless, Negombo is considered one of the best resorts in Sri Lanka thanks to the convenient beaches that stretch along Lewis Place. In addition, there is an optimal choice of accommodation and many photogenic fishermen and beautiful scenery.

Negombo can be visited all year round, however it is very wet in May and October - November.

Hikkaduwa is located 100 km from Colombo and is the leader in attendance. Divers, surfers, snorkelers, young people and family people come here. Water activities and modest night life have made Hikkaduwa the busiest and best resort in Sri Lanka.

Here are the longest beaches in Sri Lanka and many hotels of different categories. The beaches are ideal for surfing - there is almost always a strong wave. Early in the morning, huge turtles appear near the shore; they are so accustomed to people that they take treats directly from people’s hands.

In the center of Hikkaduwa there is a coral park where you can ride a glass-bottom boat or go snorkeling, order boat trip. There are several Buddhist temples in Hikkaduwa, the most famous and popular among them is located on a small island. Entrance to the temples is free, excluding travel fees. Popular among vacationers are excursions to the mines where precious stones are mined and can be purchased.

A great time to holiday in Hikkaduwa is from November to April.

Wadduwa is located 35 km from Colombo. At this Sri Lankan resort you will find golden sandy beaches, coconut palms, diving centers, sailboats, surfing and other entertainment. During the dives you can see the remains of sunken ships. Tennis courts and golf courses are equipped especially for vacationers. All hotels are comfortable.

Fans of excursions will not be bored - they will be able to visit neighboring Kalutara with the Buddhist temple Gangatilaka Vihara and the fishermen's town of Hambantota, take a boat trip along the canals and capture the local beauty.

The best time for an active and beach holiday at this resort is from October to March.

The village of Bentota is located south of Colombo - 65 km (2 hours drive), between the mouth of the river of the same name and the ocean. Considered the elite and best resort in Sri Lanka, favorite place beach holiday for romantics and those seeking solitude.

Here greatest number comfortable hotels, uncrowded clean beaches and lush jungle nature, the famous mangrove forests grow in this area. The resort offers a lot of entertainment for its guests - sea and river fishing, an exciting safari on the river with crocodiles, excursions to a turtle farm, yacht trips and much more. There is a center for diving enthusiasts.

The best time for a beach holiday in Bentota is from October to April.

Small resort village Unawatuna is located 120 km from Colombo. Once a fishing village, this rapidly developing resort is only slightly inferior in popularity to Hikkaduwa and Bentota.

This place is especially loved by tourists who vacation on their own - the resort has many guesthouses at an affordable price. The main advantage of Unawatuna is the calm water in the ocean. The central beach is located in a bay, and Coral reefs They protect from strong waves, so families with children are happy to relax here.

The entire tourism infrastructure has been created. Vacationers can go diving or snorkeling; lovers of excursions can visit the neighboring resort of Galle. But this is not a place for solitude: the beaches of Unawatuna can be quite crowded.

The optimal time for vacation is from December to April. It is too rainy in May and October–November.

Due to their distance from the airport, the resorts on the northeastern coast of Sri Lanka are less popular than on the southwestern coast. Nevertheless, Trincomalee is considered one of the best resorts in Sri Lanka and the most beautiful place islands: here is a deep-water bay, discovered at one time by Admiral Nelson. Trincomalee itself is unique in terms of architecture - there are Muslim buildings, Buddhist and hindu temples. You can get there by night train from Colombo (9 hours travel time) or by bus (7 hours).

According to some vacationers, Trincomalee beaches are the best in all of Sri Lanka. The holiday is quiet, there is little entertainment here, the infrastructure is still under development, most hotels are inexpensive, bars and restaurants are of the same level.

Surprising natural beauty This place is full of tall palm trees and lemurs roaming free. Not far from the coast is a coral island, which is favored by divers and snorkelers; there are hot springs a few kilometers away.

It is best to plan your trip from March to August, as November-December is too rainy.

List of the best beaches in Sri Lanka

All the island's beaches are sandy, many of them are surrounded by coconut palms and other tropical plants. The best beaches in Sri Lanka are located on the southwest coast and are not too far from each other.

Bentota Beach

The most famous beach on the island, and according to numerous reviews from enthusiastic tourists, it is also one of the best for a beach holiday. This is where they prefer to spend their Honeymoon newlyweds. A wide coastal strip, palm trees, complete privacy - these are the main advantages of this place.

A wonderful place and almost complete absence of infrastructure. Since the beach is quite far from Colombo (5 hours by bus), it is visited by single tourists or those who have undertaken independent trip around the island.

Unawatuna Beach is located in the village of the same name. The coastal strip is not as wide as in Bentota, but the calm water off the coast makes it extremely attractive. The sand is very fine and clean, part of the territory is occupied by cafes and hotels, the rest is available for swimming and water activities. There is shallow water intended for swimming with children.

Hikkaduwa Beach

The longest beach line in Sri Lanka. Orange sand and turquoise water, along the line there are numerous cafes and guesthouses. Strong waves have made this place a favorite spot for surfers, but there are relatively calm areas - near the hotel Chaaya Tranz. There are no sunbeds there, there is enough shade from palm trees, many people come there to swim with their children. Thanks to all this, Hikkaduwa Beach is considered one of the best places for a beach holiday in Sri Lanka.

The Tangalle beach complex has long been persistently included in the lists of the best beaches in Sri Lanka. This is an ideal place for a secluded holiday: you can walk a mile and not see another person. Any accommodation can be found. You can get to the place by bus from Colombo (6 hours).

It's hard to predict where and who will like it more. Sri Lanka is still amazing island, where each place deserves special attention and admiration, so it is quite difficult to compile a list of the best resorts and beaches in Sri Lanka that claims to be objective. However, we hope that our review will help you decide on a place to stay and you will have a great time.