Sri Lanka beaches are pure magic from heaven, well known for their idyllic scenery, colorful wildlife, and excellent surfing. From east to west, every beach has something special from soft white sand to palm trees and blue water. If you are planning a beach holiday in Sri Lanka, here are the top 10 beaches of Sri Lanka.
Tangella Beach
Tangalle, located in the southeast corner of Sri Lanka, 195 kilometers south of Colombo, is known for its wide, open beaches. With a white sandy shoreline and turquoise waters, Tangalle Beach is mesmerizing. This strip of land on the edge of the Indian Ocean is lined with mangrove vegetation with many beautiful lagoons and tourists from all over the world flock to this beach throughout the year. You can witness some of the most spectacular views of the sunset. Despite its gorgeousness, swimming at Tangalle Beach is not suitable as the tides can be quite rough.
Beruwala Beach
One of the oldest towns in the country, its impressive history makes it stand out from the rest of the surrounding towns in the vicinity. The town is situated approximately 60 km south of the main city of Colombo. Beruwala is noted for its famous ‘Golden Mile’ beach, a tropical paradise for tourists and locals alike. It is dotted with palm trees that provide shade from the scorching sunlight.
Mirissa Beach
Situated approximately 150 km south of Colombo at an elevation of 4 meters above sea level, Mirissa is one of the most popular beach destinations in southern Sri Lanka which has everything from serene beaches, great waves for surfing, and exciting marine life, from turtles to big blue whales. Some of the interesting things you can do in Mirissa are whale watching, taking a day trip to Gale Fort, and visiting various beaches. Mirissa is also famous for various fish species such as mullet, tuna, butterfish, and snapper and is the largest fishing port on the South Coast.
Bentota Beach
Bentota town, located on the coastal line of the Galle district of the Southern Province approximately 65 km south of Colombo, at an elevation of 3 meters above sea level, is a famous tourist attraction for water sports. Bentota Beach is a long stretch offering a spectacular view of the Indian Ocean, dotted with palm trees that offer shade from the falling sunlight, and the colorful sky during the sunset is pure magic. You can find a wide variety of water sports, such as jet skiing, waterboarding, banana boat rides, tube rides, and other water-based activities ranging from windsurfing, diving, and snorkeling, which makes it a fantastic beach holiday. The best time to visit Bentota beach is from October to April when the weather conditions are ideal for water sports and swimming in the sea
Unawatuna Beach
A coastal town in the Galle district of Sri Lanka, Unawatuna is a major tourist attraction known for its beach and corals. It is located about 5 kilometers southeast of the city center at an elevation of 5 meters above sea level. The Indian Ocean, off the coast of Unawatuna, contains several coral reefs, shipwrecks, and a great variety of fish and turtles. The turtles still march toward the shore to lay their nests and eggs. Apart from the beach, some other attractions are worth a visit viz. Unawatuna Peace Pagoda, Yatagala Raja Maha Viharaya Buddhist Temple, and Turtle hatcheries (Habaraduwa)
Arugam Bay Beach
Arugam Bay, also known locally as "Arugam Kudah", is situated on the Indian Ocean in the dry zone of Sri Lanka's southeast coast. Due to being situated far from the capital city, Colombo, and away from other tourist attractions, the Arugam Bay beach is distinctive, less-trodden, and an unexposed treasure. It is the most popular surf spot and is also the only international surf competition venue in Sri Lanka which is also rated as one of the top ten surf destinations in the world.
Pasikudah Beach
Situated in Pasikuda in the eastern part of Sri Lanka is Pasikuda Beach, a palm-fringed sandy beach with warm, turquoise blue waters surrounded by resorts. It is an ideal spot to view the enthralling sight of sunset in all its glory. The turquoise blue waters of Pasikuda are loved by tourists, and it is a popular area for swimming and surfing. Most days the sky is clear, the ocean is warm, and water clarity is very good which makes it ideal for snorkeling, diving, sailing, and a host of other water sports. The curve of Pasikuda bay makes swimming safe and enjoyable.
Hikkaduwa Beach
Hikkaduwa is a coastal town in the Galle district of Sri Lanka. It is known for its beaches and corals and is a major tourist attraction in Sri Lanka. It is widely known as one of the best surfing spots in Sri Lanka and the waves range in size from 4 to 11 feet. The dry season from November to March is the best time for clean surfing. Scuba diving and diving in clear waters are two popular activities here, the best way to have a glimpse of colorful fish that dart around. The place is abundant in many species of fish and large turtles. The good news for diving enthusiasts is that there are 4 shipwrecks to explore as well as diving businesses offering PADI courses and equipment.
Uppuveli Beach
Uppuveli Beach is the most popular beach in Trincomalee in eastern Sri Lanka and with full of hotels and restaurants. Similar to Nilaveli beach, Uppuvveli beach is a long, sandy beach with clear waters and no waves. Because of the large number of hotels, cafes, and restaurants, it draws a larger crowd than Nilaveli beach. In addition to spending time on the beaches of Trincomalee, there are some other things to do and places to visit in and around Trincomalee such as whale watching.
Negombo Beach
Negombo is a fabulous town located on the west coast of Sri Lanka, about 38 km north of Colombo, just 15 minutes away from the Bandaranaike International Airport. Negombo beaches are stunning and attract visitors from both across the country as well as the globe. The town has some great bars, pubs, and restaurants that get busier in the evenings, making it a great place for fun and entertainment.