Sri Lanka is world famous for its natural beauty and the beaches here are a testament of that. The beaches in Sri Lanka are a paradise for tourists with the vistas of clear emerald water, long stretches of soft sand, and scenic beauty. This tropical paradise offers some of the best water sport activities, including, surfing, snorkeling, boat tours, and a lot more. Sri Lanka features some of the best beaches that have their own unique qualities, such as local shops and romantic landmarks. From calm waters to intrepid ones, you’ll get to experience it all.
Top Beaches in Sri Lanka: Witness the Bewitching Beauty of the Sea
Sri Lanka is an island that lures you to visit it again and again, its beauty and charm draws you towards it. Once you step foot into this island country, you’ll be left awestruck by the blend of elegant infrastructure and mesmerizing beaches. The gushing sounds of the waves are enough to send you into a trance and to beguile you into wanting more. The idea of sipping cocktails on the beach while lying on a hammock under the sun sounds pleasing and urges us to make it come true. So, here’s a list of the best beaches in Sri Lanka that would teleport you to a land of sun and sand.
- Unawatuna Beach
- Mirissa Beach
- Thalpe Beach
- Hikkaduwa Beach
- Negombo Beach
- Wijaya Beach
- Secret Beach
- Hiriketiya Beach
- Arugam Bay
- Koggala Beach
1. Unawatuna Beach: Indulge in Local Sri Lankan Cuisine
Unawatuna is one of the most popular beaches in Sri Lanka because of its intimate vibe. The calm waters of the sea make it perfect for swimming and other water adventures. In recent times, a lot of bars, nightclubs and restaurants have lined up along this beach, which makes it a major tourist spot than ever before. The 2004 tsunami affected this region adversely, but it regained its beauty and allure soon after. One of the highlights of the Unawatuna beach is the whale shark spotting in the sea at times, which is quite an amusing part of visiting this place. There’s an ancient Galle Fort and a Yatagala Raja Maha Viharaya temple as well, which heightens the significance of this beach.
Best time to visit: Late August and early September
Things to do: Take a stroll on the golden sand, visit the nearby attractions, try spotting the whale shark and nesting turtles, and relish Sri Lankan cuisine
Water Sports: Go snorkeling or scuba diving
How to reach: Take a taxi or drive from Colombo's Bandaranayaka International Airport to the beach
2. Mirissa Beach: Get Ready for Some Whale Watching
Mirissa is one of the most thrilling beaches in Sri Lanka because of the biodiversity it harbors underneath the sea. The clear water and the palm fringed trees lining the shore makes it resemble the beach we so often imagine. If you’re looking for a place to do some whale watching and to see dolphins swimming around, then this is the perfect beach for that. You can sign up for a boat tour as well that would ensure watching whales from up close. Mirissa beach is also the perfect spot for sunbathing and relaxing under the shade of a tree. There's a lot to look forward to when visiting this tourist attraction.
Best time to visit: December to April
Things to do: Swim in the sea, indulge in water sports, spot aquatic life from up close, go for a river safari, try fishing, and sign up for an ayurvedic massage
How to reach: Take a bus from Fort in Colombo to Matara or Tangalle and get down when the beach arrives
3. Thalpe Beach: Revel in the Seclusion of this Seashore
Thalpe beach has gained popularity because of its secluded location, which allows you to take a beat from the dizzying pace of this island. The unique feature of this beach is the rectangular rock pools on the shore, which were carved by the locals for their coconut husks. It’s not an attractive element of the place. Tourists looking for some tranquility away from crowds would find this location as a breath of fresh air. The crashing waves here are the most exciting part, especially when you’re in the rock pool. So do consider this as one of the excellent beaches in Sri Lanka that you must explore for a rejuvenating time.
Best time to visit: Between March and April
Things to do: Relax and unwind with a picturesque view of the sea and experience the joy of rock pools
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4. Hikkaduwa Beach: Explore the Nightlife of this Party Beach
Hikkaduwa beach is the life of the party because it’s famed for its nightlife and the Beach Fest that is organized every year in July. It’s a five-day music festival that attracts a lot of tourists from around the world. The marine life here is another highlight as you can spot turtles, large sharks, and tropical fishes as well. It’s recommended to visit this beach during the evening because the sunsets from this place would leave you in awe of its beauty. The waters here are perfect for surfing as well, and you can opt for other interactive activities as well, such as snorkeling. The party vibe of this place would lure you to visit it at least once.
Best time to visit: March to September
Things to do: Party all night, attend the music festival, spot magnificent marine life, view a mesmerizing sunset, and sign up for a glass bottom boat ride
How to reach: Take a taxi from Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport
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5. Negombo Beach: Feel the Love in the Air
One of the reasons why this beach is among the most popular beaches in Sri Lanka is because of its proximity to the international airport. The beauty of the Negombo beach resides in its Dutch essence, which is evident in the architecture surrounding it. You can feel the sense of contentment as soon as you land by visiting this romantic beach, where you can go water skiing, kite surfing, and so much more. You can even take a boat ride to the coral reefs and spot some whales and dolphins in their natural habitat. In addition, you’d find an abundance of fish dishes here that would satisfy all your cravings.
Best time to visit: March to September
Things to do: Watch aquatic animals swimming around, take a boat ride for a better experience, and eat delicious fishes
Water sports: Try out adventure activities like water skiing and snorkeling
How to reach: Take a bus from the Main Negombo bus stand to Colombo
6. Wijaya Beach: Stop By this Hidden Paradise
Wijaya beach isn’t as popular as the other beaches, which works in the favor of those who want some peaceful downtime in an isolated place. The white sand beach merging with the turquoise waters, and palm trees lining the shore is the ideal place to spend your vacation relaxing. It's an exquisite beach for swimming and the various rocks form a natural jacuzzi at a few locations. This seashore is famous for snorkeling, and you can even spot turtles swimming in the sea. It’d be a shame to miss out on this beaut, especially in the golden sunset hours when the entire place comes to life.
Best time to visit: December to February
Things to do: Relax and unwind, go for snorkeling, click pictures, try local food
How to reach: Take the Matara train from Downtown Colombo to reach Galle and then board a local bus to Unawatuna
7. Secret Beach: Visit this Hidden Gem in Sri Lanka
As the name suggests, this beach is in a hidden location, which has allowed it to remain unspoiled by the tourists. This haven is perfect for an escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. Reaching this place requires you to hike over the headland for 2 km, which is an enthralling experience in itself. You’ll find palm trees dotting the shore and a lady selling coconuts here. The highlight is that the area is divided into three beaches and makes for an excellent location for snorkeling. You might even find this place without a single soul around if you visit it early in the morning.
Best time to visit: November to April
Things to do: Enjoy the peace and quiet and go for snorkeling in the sea
How to reach: You can walk, or hire a moped or a tuk tuk to reach here
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8. Hiriketiya Beach: On the Way to Becoming a Surfer’s Paradise
Hiriketiya is one of South Coast’s popular beaches in Sri Lanka. It’s a string of beaches that form a horseshoe shape and is relatively less of a touristy beach, so you can enjoy a little calm here. Hiri beach is dotted with several palm trees and eateries that offer delicious food options to the visitors. The waves here make it perfect for surfing and snorkeling. It’s an ideal place for surfers to surf the waves or to learn surfing. You can enjoy some respite from all the exploration and watch people swim or surf in the waters.
Best time to visit: November to April and August to October
Things to do: Go snorkeling, surf or learn to surf, lie back on the shore and watch the waves
How to reach: Board a train or bus from Colombo and then get on a tuk tuk from nearby areas
9. Arugam Bay: Stop By this Culturally Attractive Beach
When it comes to Arugam Bay, it has one of the best waves in the island and is therefore a favorite of surfers. You can even go fishing or take a boat tour of this lagoon for some gorgeous pictures. The clear blue sea paired with magnificent waves is the best way to relax and sunbathe in this haven. There are even wooden cabins and eateries lining the beach, surrounded by palm trees, which exude a rustic and beachy vibe. Tourists can also take a motorboat for some dolphin sightings. It’s an excellent location to take a break and get tanned under the sun.
Best time to visit: March to October
Things to do: Rent a board and surf away, go fishing, take a boat tour of the lagoon or view dolphins from a motorboat, visit the Elephant Rock and the Hulannuga Caves, and explore the nearby national parks
How to reach: Board a bus from Colombo to nearby Pottuvil locations
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10. Koggala Beach: Take a Trip to the Nearby Attractions
This beach is somewhat of a concealed location between Unawatuna and Mirissa beach, which is unfrequented by tourists. The highlight of this place is its diverse marine life, including rare species of turtles, colorful fishes, and small sharks. It has some of the most amazing backdrops that are perfect for insta-worthy pictures. You might even come across local fishermen practicing stilt fishing, which is an old tradition where they sit on high bamboo stilts and catch fishes near the shore. Advanced surfers can also catch some waves here. So do pay a visit to this beach to witness some cultural beauty as well.
Best time to visit: July end to October
Things to do: Come across the diverse marine life, click pictures, watch stilt fishing, explore the beach on a motorboat, visit the Ananda Spice Garden for herbal wines and products, stop by the Martin Wickramsinghe Folk Museum and the Kottawa Reserve to witness varied flora and fauna, and surf the waves
How to reach: Board a train to reach this beach
Sri Lanka is the land of Serendipity because of its dreamy beaches, which have maintained their stunning beauty despite the major tourist footfall. The beaches in Sri Lanka are one of the highlights of the vacation because of the breathtaking landscapes and picturesque views it offers to the visitors. The gentle sound of the waves in a tranquil setting feels like nirvana to anyone who comes here to take a breather. The rich biodiversity of these beaches also acts as a catalyst for tourists and the adventure junkies find the best surf-worthy waves here. So, book our Sri Lanka tour packages to plan a trip to these sandy stretches.
FAQs on Sri Lanka Beaches
Sri Lanka is full of mesmerizing and alluring beaches, such as Mirissa beach, Arugam beach, Hiriketiya beach, Unawatuna beach, and many more. You'd be in awe of their dreamy vibes.
December to April is the best time to visit the west and south coast of this island country, whereas May to October is ideal for visiting the east coast. This time of the month, the weather is pleasant.
7 to 10 days are enough to explore all the tourist attractions and to visit all the delightful beaches for some peaceful downtime. You'll notice that there's a lot to do and sightsee in this beautiful location.
There are plenty of things to do in Unwatuna, such as scuba diving, snorkeling, surfing, boat tours, spot whale sharks and turtles, etc. It's truly a heavenly place for all the adventurers.
Yes, Hikkaduwa is one such beach where you’d find white sand on the shore, merging with the pristine blue of the sea. It's a sight to behold when you walk on the seashore and look at the sky and the sea merging at the horizon.
Sri Lankan beaches are the perfect idyllic location to spend your time lying under the sun and observing the pristine and calm waters, dotted with tall palm trees and local eateries. The bohemian and beachy vibe of these places are what attracts tourists to visit them.
There are a few things to keep in mind when visiting the beaches on this island:
- Not all the beaches are ideal for swimming
- Do not harm or disturb the aquatic animals
- Always wear sunscreen
- Indulge in water sport activities
Hikkaduwa is the best beach for snorkeling with its calm and clear waters, and magnificent biodiversity that is inhabiting the underwater world. You'd come across various aquatic animals that are rare and exotic.
