Exotic Beaches

Sandy Shore

The beaches of Sri Lanka are a slice of heaven.

Surrounded on all sides by the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka has plenty of beautiful beaches for you to retreat to when the tropical temperatures get a bit too close for comfort. There are long golden ones, there are dainty ones with soft white sand, there are wind and, wave battered ones and ones without a footstep for miles. Some have a slowly, slowly vibe and some have a lively party vibe, but whichever you choose, the beaches of Sri Lanka really are as gorgeous as you’ve heard.

Bentota

Calmer ocean, scuba, snorkeling, sailing, deep-sea fishing, water skiing wind surfing, kayaking or canoeing, but who’s counting. Bentota beach is equipped for activities for virtually all sea goers looking to have a great time. Even the choice of accommodation has its advantages from luxury to budget. Finding places to stay is quite convenient if you book early or even if you’re passing through. However during peak season, it may be a task to infiltrate.

Best recommended times for safe swimming conditions plus a range of other water sports and excursions is November through April.

Tangalle

Hidden deep in the southern coast, the beaches of Tangalle are made for the visual admirer. With the ocean set in dark blue and you with a fresh drink in your hand ready for a relaxing stay, then you would be in the right place. If you do fancy a spot of sea bathing then head west of Tangalle town to where a few naturally secured bays between rocky promontories caress calmer waters.

Sunbathing on the other hand is recommend for the east part of town where the warm sandy beaches are far too irresistible to pass on a tan. November to April and May through October, for best climatic conditions.

Hikkaduwa

Hikkaduwa Beach is well-known for its uniformity with the sunny-side of life. Be it sunbathing, sea-boat rides, scuba diving and snorkeling by the reef or even surfing, the coastal waters of Hikkaduwa is just the place to find the picture perfect scene for sea, sun, sand and much fun. Renting or buying almost any form of swim gear is easy here, with the Hikkaduwa town at a mere arm’s length from the beach. Shops here have been catering to tourists for many years and are amply seasoned in knowing their wants and needs, away from home.

Peak visiting months include November and April, however January to March is also recommended.

Unawatuna

Unawatuna beach draws both local and foreign visitors who have come to love this paradise isle profoundly, as well as the newbies. Unawatuna brings to life incalculable resorts, hotels, restaurants and small kiosks selling various goodies from seafood to clothing. Although most Galle town beaches on the one hand lure visitors through its irresistible magnetism of sun, sea, sand and relaxation, Unawatuna beach is all those and also an ideal place to take a dip in the ocean or indulge in some waters sports with family.

For beautiful weather and calmer seas visit in November or April.

Negombo

An Ideal beach town for sun and sea lovers and about an hour’s journey from Colombo, Negombo is also a short trip from the airport in Katunayake. With fabulous sunsets, strolls along the shore, little shops selling garments and souvenirs, live bands playing, restaurants peppering almost the entirety of the seaside strip, water sports at the beach park; fishing, kite surfing, snorkeling, scuba, are a part of the everyday sights, sounds and things to do, when in Negombo.

This beach town is easily accessible from E03 expressway while leaving from Colombo to the airport or after arrival in Sri Lanka. A short stay on your way, if time permits, would be something to experience.

Nilaveli

Here’s where turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean kiss the sands, where heart beats rise and fall to its timely harmony. It’s not always that you see paradise in all its splendour, at Nilaveli, under 20 kilometres from Trincomalee town, the simplest pleasures are usually priceless. Whether you engage in a short boat ride to Pigeon Island, a delightful little landmass with its own coral reef, a few minutes from the coast, scuba diving, snorkeling or even waiting it out on the Nilaveli shore building sandcastles – any pick for that matter is quite surely going to be an experience that should not be missed. Best recommended times for visits are May to September.

Pasikudah

Located in the East Coast of Sri Lanka, a visit to the shores of Pasikudah is an experience in itself. Pasikudah Bay is to the north of Batticaloa nestled on one side of Kalkudah beach. A perfect spot for sea-bathing, Pasikudah Bay’s flat bed is a great opportunity to take advantage of a good and safe wade or swim to as far as 200 metres from the shoreline. The shared shores of Pasikudah and Kalkudah are reef secured and thus the ocean waves are a lot calmer in this part of the Eastern Coast. The month of September, which is also considered the best month to visit the East Coast.

Arugam Bay

Arugam Bay is famous for its surfing points that attract surfers from around the world. Many of them make Arugam Bay their home during the surfing period, which is from April to October. Arugam Bay Point, which is at the tip of the bay is considered to be an advanced point, where the waves can rise to a height of five to ten meters depending on the swell and oceanic conditions. As such Arugam Bay point is a haven for experienced surfers. The actual ‘bay’ of Arugam Bay is peppered with small cozy hotels. One area of the beach is full of fishing boats as that is the livelihood of the coastal area, but this does not disturb the surfers.