Sri Lanka is blessed with astonishing beaches, from ocean-washed surfing strongholds to sheltered sandy coves, which make a perfect base for surfing, diving and snorkeling, and other water-based activities. Sri Lanka is pretty much a year-round beach destination. The beach resorts on the west coast, South Coast, and the East Coast are the most popular with people who enjoy taking a dip in the warm water and relaxing on the sandy beaches.
Beaches
Sri Lanka is a tropical island found in the deep blue waters of the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal. The country is endowed with over a thousand miles of beautiful golden beaches that are fringed with coconut palms making it the ideal destination for a beach holiday.
Arugam Bay is located at the “end of the road” on the East Coast of Sri Lanka. Arugam Bay is listed as one of the top ten surf points in the world. The best time of the year for surf is between May and November when the predominant wind is offshore for at least the first half of the day.
District: Ampara
Typical Weather: Warm & Sunny
Distance from Colombo: 320 km
Bentota has been a popular beach destination among tourists due to its proximity to Colombo and Galle. Travelers will love the wide sandy beaches on the southern end of Bentota, with calm water making it perfect for diving and water sports activities for tourists.
District: Galle
Typical Weather: Warm & Sunny
Distance from Colombo: 62 km
A marine sanctuary with habitats of various marine creatures. Kalpitiya Beach is home to Spinner dolphins and a rare species of Sperm Whale, which is the principal attraction of the beach. The warm sands and the tropical climate make Kalpitiya Beach a perfect place for sunbathing.
District: Puttalam
Typical Weather: Warm & Sunny
Distance from Colombo: 165 km
Beruwela, an old town and home of Sri Lanka’s first Moor Muslim settlements. Possessing the ‘Golden Mile’ beach which is a mile long stretch of golden sands lined with many hotels and restaurants, this town promises to deliver an atmosphere of a tropical paradise.
District: Kalutara
Typical Weather: Warm & Sunny
Distance from Colombo: 56 km
The city of Galle is located on the Southwestern Coast of Sri Lanka and is nothing less than a place of wonders and exquisite beauty. You will witness a beautiful blend of all the cultures. It is known for the Galle Fort, the Lighthouse and the beaches in Galle.
District: Galle
Typical Weather: Warm & Sunny
Distance from Colombo: 98 km
Throughout the year the beach is fully crowded with travelers from all around the world. The sea is visualized with crystal clear water. Foreign travelers never miss this beach as it is known as an ideal destination for a sea bath & many more activities.
District: Batticaloa
Typical Weather: Warm & Sunny
Distance from Colombo: 282 km
Kalutara beach is a long stretch of a golden shore spreading from Waskaduwa to Payagala. Divided by the Kalu river estuary, it has a charm of Its own and certain dark hue in the sand around the estuary. Being in proximity to Colombo makes it a viable candidate for a day trip to enjoy along with the cultural and religious attractions in the area.
District: Kalutara
Typical Weather: Warm & Sunny
Distance from Colombo: 40 km
The seas off the coast of Mirissa offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for visitors as it is currently becoming a major hotspot for spotting Whales and Dolphins. The Main port of Si Lanka for watching Whales and dolphins is Dondara Point down south because it is located close to their migration path.
District: Matara
Typical Weather: Warm & Sunny
Distance from Colombo: 240 km
Nilaveli situated at a distance of 271 km from Colombo – is a prime beach resort on the East coast. The beach has ample water sports facilities including fishing and sea angling. Nilaveli is ideally suited for sunbathing and diving. A few meters from the coast is a small rocky island good for snorkeling.
District: Trincomalee
Typical Weather: Warm & Sunny
Distance from Colombo: 271 km
Trincomalee popularly referred to as “Trinco”, is home to an uninterrupted stretch of beautiful beach with unspoiled white sandy beaches and clear blue waters, that run for almost 30 kilometers, known as Uppuveli, Nilaveli, and Kuchchaveli beaches.
District: Trincomalee
Typical Weather: Warm & Sunny
Distance from Colombo: 257 km
Tangalle Beach (also called Tangalla) encapsulates all that is alluring about this part of Sri Lanka: An unspoiled stretch of sand and a constant crush of waves make the area popular with both sunseekers and surfers. Take a break from the sun-worshipping and wander nearby among the secluded, rocky coves, the water frothing at your feet. Depending on the season, up to five different species of sea turtles can be seen visiting the shore to lay eggs.
District: Hambantota
Typical Weather: Warm & Sunny
Distance from Colombo: 195 km
Weligama is a popular travel resort in Matara district, which is located at a distance of 144 km from Colombo. This all-embracing bay has calm water ideal for swimming and snorkeling. Weligama, meaning “Sandy Bay” is also known as Red Bay, due to the red rose cliffs that can be seen from anywhere in the town. Weligama Beach is popular among travelers for its serene sandy beaches and well-developed tourism infrastructure.
District: Matara
Typical Weather: Warm & Sunny
Distance from Colombo: 98 km
Polhena is situated just 6 Km (4 Miles) away from Matara and 160 km (100 Miles) south of Colombo in the Dondra Bay at the southern tip of Sri Lanka. The name is Polhena is derived from the Sinhalese word for the Coconut Field “Pol” or “Hena”. Compared to the other famous beaches Polhena Beach is relatively a small beach. Polhena is famous among local and foreign tourists because of its calm waters. Protected by a reef, the waters form a shallow natural pool, perfect for children and families.
District: Matara
Typical Weather: Warm & Sunny
Distance from Colombo: 98 km
Activities
The ocean around Sri Lanka is the home to the gentle giants and the performers of the ocean. Dolphins and whales parade their presence at various locations around Sri Lanka during December, January, February, March and April. Being situated on and around the migrating routes of whales and dolphins, Sri Lanka is in a vantage point to observe the migration of 26 species of cetaceans including blue whales, sperm whales, pilot whales, fin whales and a large variety of dolphins.
Snorkeling is a fun aquatic activity; not just simple and easy, but also allows people of all age groups to participate. There are pretty much lesser activities that you can participate in as a family. Here are the few best places for Snorkeling in Sri Lanka. Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna , Pigeon Island , Pasikudah, Mirissa, Bentota, Negombo, Kalpitiya, Weligama and Nilaveli.
Surrounded by the Indian Ocean and filled with freshwater reservoirs inland, Sri Lanka is the hidden paradise for extreme anglers. With a shoreline of 1,140 miles and a continental shelf of 10,000 square miles, the seas around Sri Lanka is one of the most challenging marine game fishing locations while The outfalls of 103 major river basins and hundreds of estuaries, lagoons, and coastal lakes all around the country are yet to be fully explored by sporting anglers.
Sri Lanka is a superb place to learn how to surf or for intermediate surfers to get their first reef-break experiences. Many of the spots are very close to shore and surf access couldn’t be easier, which makes Sri Lanka an ideal destination for a surfer with a non-surfing partner. Midigama, Arugambay, Weligama and Hikkaduwa are good places for surfing.
