Review of the best resorts and beaches in 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 well-developed infrastructure. In this review you will learn about the most popular resorts and beaches in 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: the coastal waters abound with a large number of 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 being expensive hotels.

Nevertheless, Negombo is considered one of the best resorts in Sri Lanka thanks to the convenient beaches for swimming 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.

(Photo © ronsaunders47 / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0)

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 a modest nightlife 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, go snorkeling, or book a 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. Excursions to the mines where precious stones are mined and can be purchased are popular among vacationers.

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.

(Photo © Hash Milhan / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY 2.0)

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. It is considered an elite and best resort in Sri Lanka, a favorite beach holiday destination for romantics and those seeking solitude.

Here are the largest number of comfortable hotels, uncrowded clean beaches and lush jungle nature, 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.

(Photo © lola media / flickr.com / License CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

The small resort village of 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 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.

(Photo © iris0327 / flickr.com / License CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

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 on the island: there is a deep-water bay discovered 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.

The natural beauty of this place is amazing - 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.

(Photo © Images of Sri Lanka - Sequential Shots / flickr.com / Licensed CC BY-NC 2.0)

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 newlyweds prefer to spend their honeymoon. 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 taken an independent trip around the island.

(Photo © That Guy,Will / flickr.com / Licensed CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

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 Chaaya Tranz hotel. 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).

(Photo © Šejba / flickr.com / License CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

It's hard to predict where and who will like it more. Sri Lanka is still an amazing island, where every 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.

Introductory image source: © Dhammika Heenpella / Images of Sri Lanka / flickr.com / Licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.

Almost the entire coast of Sri Lanka consists of sandy beaches. And most of the surface is an undulating plain with a height of thirty to two hundred meters. The most expressive transition from the plain to the mountains can be observed in the southeast, while at the same time in the northern part this transition is very smooth. The beaches are very diverse, but of course luxurious, different in wave, landscape, depth of coastal waters and even according to the rating of the famous Forbes magazine, because it was here that they were noted as the best beaches in Asia. Most choose the bgo-west coast, which is located south of Colombo. The most famous resorts in this part of Sri Lanka: Negombo, Marawila, Kalutara, Wadduwa, Beruwela, Induruwa, Koggala, Hikkaduwa, Tangalle.

Bentota - Bentota is a city located in the southwest and has some of the best beaches. The coast is lined with hotels for every budget, from budget hostels to luxurious luxury ones. Couples in love, newlyweds and simply lovers of a relaxing holiday prefer to relax here. Fans of active recreation on the water also love to come here, because there are a large number of centers where they teach water sports, and you can also rent equipment. Here it is quite possible to walk along almost deserted beaches; if you wish, you can rent a boat and go upstream of the Bentota - a river that flows directly into the ocean. The bentota is diverse, the views here are unique, luxury and exoticism merge into one.

Tangalle - Tangalle is an ancient city that has retained its charm as an eighteenth-century Dutch colony. This is the south of Sri Lanka and the beaches in this area are the most beautiful in the country. There are a total of four beaches in the local district - Medaketiya, Pallikaduva, Medilla, Goyambokka. Tropical greenery is lush, palm trees hang directly over the water, warm sea and excellent weather almost all year round. The infrastructure is well developed, there are restaurants and shops, hotels offering the full range of services necessary for tourists. The city is located far from Colombo, at a distance of 195 kilometers, which is why there are few tourists here; for a couple of kilometers you can wander along the deserted coast. The place is chosen by people who love privacy or VIPs who do not want to meet tourists on vacation.

Unawantuna - the beach has the same name as the village in which it is located, the village itself is located along the highway that goes towards Galle from Colombo, the distance to the airport is 164 kilometers. In this place there is a semicircular beach of indescribable beauty, one of the ten best beaches in the world according to the Discovery Channel. A blue lagoon with incredibly clear water, and the area is protected by a double coral reef. Safe and pleasant swimming, because the depth is only six meters, and the water is warm throughout the year. An ideal place for divers, a wide variety of fish and sea turtles, reefs, sunken ships, such as the British steamer Rangoon, which was wrecked a hundred years ago.

Eco-tourists flock to Unawatuna for hiking in the tropical jungle, as well as the nearby Kottawa rainforest reserve. If you are going on holiday to Sri Lanka with children, be sure to go to Unawatuna, because the ocean warms up all year and the minimum temperature is 27 degrees.

Mirissa - Mirissa has a personal relaxing atmosphere. Organized recreation is practically undeveloped in this area. If you are traveling to Sri Lanka on your own, choose this area. Accommodation is easy to find upon arrival, already on site, located one hundred kilometers from Bentota and thirty kilometers from Unawatuna. That is, you can simply come to this area on an excursion, if you do not stop to rest. Moreover, in Marissa from November to April you can admire blue whales. They come so close to the shore that it will not be difficult to admire these huge marine inhabitants from an excursion boat.

Kogalla is a popular spot among divers. The nature is unique: coral reefs, golden sand on the beach, an impressive freshwater lake and many nearby islands, and undoubtedly evergreen tropics. Renting a boat, catamaran or bicycle will not be a problem here. Transfers to diving centers are organized directly from the hotels. Boat trips with the opportunity to watch whales or dolphins are popular. It is interesting to visit the nearby Buddhist temples on the islands of the lake. Kogalla is 136 kilometers away from Colombo, but it also has its own small airport.

For me, these places are interesting and picturesque, but everyone’s interests are different, perhaps a brief description will help you, I will be happy to help.

Tatiana Solomatina

A brief overview of the beach resorts of 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 with a coastline of 1,340 km. Despite the fact that the beach season here lasts all year round, due to 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 is not difficult to find very budget accommodation 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 are not suitable for a beach holiday at all. It's a good place to stop for a break before a long flight or during excursions. Due to the proximity of a big city, the ocean is dirty, and there is a large metropolis nearby 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 accommodation, ranging from expensive hotels to 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, many cafes and shops, a wide choice of accommodation. The coastline is very wide, 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. People vacation here on package tours; finding accommodation 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 palms 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 a lot of people because of the budget holiday and the 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 is a 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 is a 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. There is no entertainment after nine in the evening.

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 is a large city in the south of Sri Lanka with a 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 takes place on the beach and the main street, where there are several shops and a bank.

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 the 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 a calm, quiet holiday. Very comfortable to relax with small children. Not far from the coast there is a small coral island. It’s not difficult to get there; local residents are happy to take everyone there for a fee.

When going on vacation to Sri Lanka, not all tourists realize that around the island is the Indian Ocean, and 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

The island of Ceylon attracts all fans of a relaxing and slightly exotic holiday. In this article we will tell you in detail which of the best resorts in Sri Lanka deserve special attention.

The team has selected 5 ideal places for you for an unforgettable vacation on a fabulous island!

Note! Despite the fact that the island has been officially named Sri Lanka for many years, many continue to call it Ceylon! And first of all, it is associated with tasty and aromatic tea. Although in recent years it has become increasingly popular among tourists.

The best resorts in Sri Lanka: Unawatuna

It was this region that the famous Discovery TV channel once recognized as the place with the best beaches in the world.

It is noteworthy that in this place the beaches are covered from the sea by a series of reefs, which makes the coastal waves gentle and calm. There are also many shallow places near the shore. Therefore, Unawatuna is ideal for a family holiday with children.

Note! Throughout the year, the water temperature at the resort fluctuates between +29 degrees. Although the influx of tourists is observed from the beginning of December to the end of April.

Given the calm seas, it is not surprising that beginner surfers choose Unawatuna for their training. It is here that the only surfing school in Sri Lanka with Russian-speaking instructors operates.

Among other entertainments it is worth highlighting:

• snorkeling;
• diving;
• sightseeing tours in Galle or Kottawa.

Among the advantages of Unawatuna is a modern, fairly developed resort infrastructure. However, during the season there are quite a lot of tourists here.

The best resorts in Sri Lanka: Arugam Bay

If you want to fully experience the flavor of Sri Lanka, go to Arugam Bay! Small hotels, elephants walking along the beach, unusual nature...

However, the sea in this region is not so calm. The wave height can reach two meters. That’s why surfing fans choose Arugam Bay for relaxation!

Note! Interestingly, the season at this resort does not last in the usual months for Sri Lanka. When the rainy season begins in the rest of the island - from May to the end of October - Arugam Bay is also dry. Therefore, the largest influx of tourists is observed during this period!

It should be remembered that the majority of the population of this region are Muslims. Therefore, it is not recommended to drink alcohol on the streets here, and for girls to dress too revealingly.

But here you can admire the ancient Magul Maha Viraya temple, which is more than 2000 years old.

The only, but very significant drawback of this resort is that it is located quite far from Colombo International Airport - it will take at least 7 hours to travel. In addition, the beaches here are not very comfortable and there is no drinking water - you also need to take it with you!

The best resorts in Sri Lanka: Hikkaduwa

This resort appeared more than 50 years ago, and it owes its birth to hippies. Currently, it is one of the largest, constantly developing holiday destinations, in which new ones are constantly appearing:

• hotels;
• the shops;
• clubs;
• restaurants and cafes.

Some of the resort's beaches are suitable for excellent surfing on steep waves, while others are suitable for relaxing swimming.

Note! The resort is also recommended for diving fans. Ships rest on the ocean floor, to which fans of scuba diving descend.

And just fifty meters from the coast there is a beautiful coral reef. It amazes with its beauty, although in 2004 the reef was irreparably damaged by a devastating tsunami.

In general, the resort is well developed, there is excellent infrastructure, but it is not suitable for a relaxing family holiday with children. After all, the main transport route passes through it, it is relatively noisy and there is a lot of dust.

The best resorts in Sri Lanka: Bentota

This is one of the most famous and popular holiday destinations on the island. Newlyweds go here with great pleasure. For them they do:

• official ceremonies;
• Ceylonese wedding ceremonies;
• other symbolic ceremonies.

Bentota is also great for a calm, measured holiday, because there is everything for this:

• calm sea;
• gentle entry into the sea;
• family sea activities - banana boat rides, yacht excursions and much more.

The region will delight you with many attractions, including:

• the unusual and beautiful gardens of Bevis Bawa;
• an ancient fishermen's village;
• turtle nursery;
• a large number of colorful Buddhist temples built many centuries ago;
• as well as health centers that practice Ayurvedic teachings.

The only drawback of the resort appears in the high season - there are a large number of tourists here.

The best resorts in Sri Lanka: Mirissa

One of the youngest resorts on the island of Ceylon. It grew up around a small village with a small railway station, where almost all trains passed by.

Nowadays it is one of the most luxurious resorts in Sri Lanka, which is especially loved by the Japanese.

It is noteworthy that there are almost no attractions here. In addition to beautiful landscapes and unique sea views.

Note! Although the lighthouse, built back in 1889, should definitely be included among the attractions. It still works today! At the same time, the lighthouse is officially open to visitors - if you want to admire the expanses of the sea, be sure to climb the lighthouse!

Tourists are also offered numerous sea excursions. During which, if you are lucky, you will be able to admire the whales.

We told you about the best resorts in Sri Lanka you should pay attention to if you are planning a tour to this beautiful island. To be convinced of the unsurpassed beauty of Ceylon, watch an interesting episode of the legendary program “Heads and Tails” dedicated to Sri Lanka!

If you look closely at the map, you can see the island of Sri Lanka, surrounded on all sides by the Indian Ocean. It would seem that the ocean is everywhere and summer is all year round, you can go to the island wherever you want.

Where is the best place to go on vacation and which beaches?

As I already wrote, in Sri Lanka there is no concept of winter - summer, but there is a monsoon season and a season favorable for beach holidays. In winter, strong monsoons hit the east coast of the island and blow from the northeast. In summer, everything is just the opposite: monsoons and winds from the southwest.

Therefore, excellent hotels and the most beautiful beaches for swimming are on the southwest coast, and for and - welcome to the east coast.

And we, as residents of colder climates, always want to bask in the sun and swim in the clean, turquoise sea.

Overview of the beaches of Sri Lanka

You can see uniquely beautiful beaches and magical sunsets only in Sri Lanka at a relatively low cost of travel.

That way!

When it's winter, it's the best time to relax. Therefore, the number of Europeans from December to March is off the charts and there are places to go on vacation!
All the beaches in Sri Lanka are located very compactly and due to the timely construction of the high-speed toll highway, getting from Colombo to Kogalla has now become much faster (instead of 5-6 hours, with a good driver and without traffic congestion in Colombo, in 3.5 hours) .

Negombo

The closest beach to the airport. It is located in the lagoon.

Pros:

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