36 Best Beaches in Sri Lanka

Beaches are a famous Sri Lanka pastime. Whether it’s a game of cricket, a lie in the sunshine or an early-morning surf, seaside culture truly encapsulates the ‘no worries’ mindset that defines so much of Sri Lanka. So it’s easy to discover a quiet stretch of the best beaches in Sri Lanka all to yourself.

 Monsoon seasons in Sri Lanka

The weather in Sri lanka is usually characterised by a wet and dry season, though the country undergoes monsoons year-round.

The South and west coasts of Sri Lanka experience frequent rain and thunderstorms from March to September, 

and the North and east coasts of Sri Lanka are commonly the wettest from October to February,

 The following list of beaches is categorised into the East, South, North and West coast regions, so you can enjoy a spectacular beach vacation whatever period of year you visit in Sri Lanka.

 Beaches on the South coast of Sri Lanka

1. Weligama Beach

A lively fishing village with a sandy stretch of Beach and low-riding waves, Weligama has become an impending attraction for surfing and tourism. However, there are many things to do in Weligama than its, the name being ‘Sandy Village’, Ancient temples, natural harbours, diving and snorkelling. 

2. Induruwa Beach

Cradled along a small ravine on the west coast, it was once a sleepy fishing village today; however, it has become a significant hotspot for travellers looking for white sandy beaches with perfect surf to relax in. As a result, the town caters to all accommodation facilities from star class to beach villa-style accommodation.

3. Rekawa Beach

The shore at Rekawa village, 10km east of Tangalla Bay Beach, is home to one of the most critical sea turtle nesting locations in Sri Lanka, visited by five diverse species that lay their eggs in the sand every night throughout the year. The best time to see turtles is between January & April, periods when there’s a full moon. 

4. Midigama Beach

Midigama Beach is south of Sri Lanka, ahead of the vast Bay of Weligama. For about six kilometres, the range passes gold-tinged sands and little coves gathered by coconut palms, all of which can be directed to by the collaborative name of Midigama, the title of the small town at their centre.

However, while the beaches might be lovely, they are also a surfing paradise. Therefore, this is the perfect hunting spot if you’re the sort that likes to hunt hidden waves and unknown reefs. That’s all down to the soft nature of Midigama surf spots on the list.

Those who are coming to surf Midigama are still predominantly islanders and long-term travellers who’ve lived here on their Sri Lankan surf odyssey. More Details

5. Kirinda Beach

Kirinda Beach is a tiny but charming town in the South of Sri Lanka. The rock boulders, rough waters, and spectacular landscape vistas are unforgettable on this calm Beach.

6. Hiriketiya Beach

Hiriketiya Beach is one of the best beaches in Sri Lanka. Also known as Hiriketiya bay or written as Hirikiteya, this horseshoe-shaped Bay is located on the south coast of Sri Lanka. It is one of the best surf and yoga Sri Lanka spots, with hipster cafes, a laidback vibe and coconut trees hanging over the Beach. In addition, Hiriketiya Beach is a jungle paradise. More Details

7. Hambantota Beach

Hambantota Beach is idyllic, and its panoramic views have apprehended the souls of many over the years. It is a fabulous shore to visit for snorkelling and diving options. Hambantota is also a historic town, dating back to 200 BC.

8. Unawatuna Beach

Unawatuna beach is located about 15 minutes from Galle and the Galle Fort; Unawatuna is a famous beach-side town that’s attracted beach lovers over the years. A perfectly enticing stretch of golden coast filled with restaurants, bars and beachfront resorts, Unawatuna Beach is a must-visit if you see to unwind and enjoy the entertainment of this coastal town. In addition, Unawatuna city has many activities for travellers, making it possible for families, colleagues, and partners. More Details

9. Talalla Beach

Talalla is one such secret treasure of Sri Lanka. Though this beautiful place, many tourists and visitors seem to miss out on this little hidden gem. Encircled by delicious green vegetation and palm groves, this spit of golden sand is a perfect place to enjoy a relaxing time.

The Beach accurately represents what any beach should be, appearing almost uncrowded throughout the day. It is also easy to enter the Beach, as it is just a 2-hour drive from Galle.

Swimming at Talalla Beach is secured at all times of the day, and you can dip in the blue waters whenever you feel like diving. Although there are few possibilities for surfing at Talalla Beach, you can still find some good spots in and around the region. Talalla Beach is an attractive destination for a family holiday or a weekend getaway from city life. More Detals

10. Polhena Beach – Matara

Polhena Beach, located near Matara, offers the perfect atmosphere for a beach getaway without the crowds of travellers, making it all the more particular to anyone who visits the sandy range. The Beach is primarily silent and peaceful to induce that sense of tranquillity in the traveller’s mind. Even the waters are relatively calmer than in Galle and Weligama because corals act as fences. Although famous as a picnic beach, there are a few water sports that you can engage in, particularly swimming and snorkelling. More Details

11. Goyambokka Beach

Completed of beautiful rocky caves, the twin bays to the west of Tangalle town in Goyambokka & Pallikaduwa are picturesque upmarket villages in sharp contrast with the flatter coastline to the North. Some guesthouses on the hillsides with stunning sea views have private access to individual beaches of prosperous sand.

12. Dallwella Beach

Dallwella Beach is a shallow swimming beach 7km south of Galle, on the main road between Unawatuna and Thalpe. The restaurants have exceptional seafood and crust pizzas. It’s a great spot to relax with sun loungers on the Beach and get away from the touristy masses of Beaches. More Details 

13. Moragalla Beach- Aluthgama

Sri Lanka’s most attractive beaches would begin to expose themselves; one such secluded spot is Moragalla Beach near Aluthgama, Kalutara District. Located between the packed Bentota beach and Beruwala beach, Moragalla beach is a haven for beachgoers exploring an isolated beach holiday in Sri Lanka.

14. Koggala Beach

Koggala beach is another of Sri Lanka’s fantastic surfing beaches. Located the Down South of Sri Lanka, not far from Unawatuna beach, this beautiful stretch of pale golden sands reaches into the clear blue waters of the Indian Ocean. With a backdrop of coconut palms and jungle vegetation, it has a natural feel of tropical paradise. This is the perfect spot to sip on a coconut while you relax with your feet on the soft sands, enjoying the scenery. More Details

15. Kahadamodara Beach

Found near Tangalle town, Kahandamodara Beach is a lengthy stretch of golden sand. The Beach is perfect for relaxing barefoot long walks. This is one of the finest shores in Sri Lanka on the lesser-known beaches of the island.

16. Hikkaduwa Beach

Hikkaduwa has been a significant tourist hotspot, mainly because of Hikkaduwa Beach. The Beach is recognised for its palm-fringed scenery with alluring waters; it is ideal for any tourist looking for relaxation, leisure, comfort, and recreation. Water sports attract adrenaline with snorkelling, diving, surfing, and many more. However, if you resemble a more low-key holiday, the Beach is for the entire family to have a party, frolic in its oceans, or play beach volleyball. Hikkaduwa Beach is a range of unlimited entertainment. More Details 

17. Bentota Beach

Bentota beach is environed by bush and palm trees. The sand on this vast Beach is white, and the sea is bright aqua-blue due to its light-coloured sandy bottom. It’s the place for many Star class Hotels to gather together, plus numerous other petite boutique hotels with Sun, surf and sand. This gives the guest a perfect opportunity to stay in one and experience several water activities. Bentota has always been famous as the water games capital of Sri Lanka, with the hoteliers in the area actively promoting water sports from an adrenaline-filled speed boat and jet ski riding, windsurfing, boogie boarding, kite surfing, water skiing on the banana boat for the group & kids. More Details  

18. Beruwala Beach

Beruwala is a renowned fishing town and a famous location for beach vacations in Sri Lanka. It is 65 km from Colombo on the Galle-Colombo main road and has a cosmopolitan history. Beruwala is a popular beach holiday destination among foreign and local tourists, mainly Beruwala is very popular among tourists from western countries.

 Beaches on the west coast of Sri Lanka

19. Negombo Beach

Negombo, Located six kilometres from Bandaranayake international airport of Sri Lanka, is a style predominantly fishing hamlet with slender roads and little boutique Hotels and many historic shrines to attend to and observe, with its routes going after the advent of the Portuguese. Negombo’s Beach, which extends north from the city right along the hotel strip, is fading toward a palm-tree background, is fair sufficient and offers an immeasurable sunset. More Details

20. Mount Lavinia Beach  – Colombo

Dehiwala beach, also recognised as Mount Lavinia beach, is near Colombo, one of the best beaches in Sri Lanka. It is a perfect destination for a relaxing and fantastic beach holiday. And also, this golden sand beach is ideal for morning yoga, meditation, and evening relaxation. The Beach is immaculate. Furthermore, it is proper for swimming, and also you can visit the cafes with live music and artists performing, enjoying the marvellous beauty of the Beach. So you can spend a perfect musical night here. The views during the sunset are magical and spectacular. Mount Lavinia beach is best for travelling to unwind your body and soul. More Details

21. Marawila Beach

Western coast within the quiet streams of the Marawila Lagoon and the sun-drenched strands of Marawila Beach. The west coast city of Negombo is also simply attainable and is the ideal destination for more experience and fun in the Sun.

22. Kalpitiya Beach

Kalpitiya Beach is one of the most renowned beaches in Sri Lanka. With its high surrounding cliffs, deep blue water, large swells, natural theatre, and various vantage spots, there’s a lot for spectators and surfers alike. More Details

23. Kerri Beach – Mannar

Some seaside towns have been reserved for their visitors’ entertainment and have thus drawn crowds of travellers to flock to its golden beaches. Regardless, pristine tropical shores that are remote and pristine, like Kerri Beach, can be discovered throughout almost the entirety of Sri Lanka.

Beaches on the East Coast of Sri Lanka

24. Nilaveli Beach

Nilaveli beach is counted as one of the brightest white sand beaches in Asia, and the Beach is comparatively less crowded than most beaches in Sri Lanka. Nilaveli beach is located approximately 10-15 km from the town of Trincomalee in the north-eastern part of Sri Lanka. You will find many small shops or several other traders. Although this makes it an excellent rest and beach hotel, it is the oldest and most prominent hotel near the area. Most people who can’t afford a stay in a luxury hotel prefer to stay in tiny houses and small hotels nearby. However, there are lots of these around, so you won’t have trouble finding the best place set for you. More Details 

25. Passikudah Beach

Passikudah beach is located on the Eastern seaboard of Sri Lanka near Kalkuda, about 35 kilometres from Batticaloa Town. The sea-green blue waters of the Bay draw local and foreign tourists to this vast sandy Beach under the hot equatorial Sun to surf, swim or frolic in the water. Several additional activities are available, like kite surfing, boogie boarding surfing, sailing, and more.

It is emerging as a tourist hot spot in the East of Sri Lanka. Coconut palms and palmyra trees adorn the shores of this area; due to the semi-arid state, Sunscreen and a large-brimmed hat are recommended, along with lots of liquid to keep the heat under control. More Details

26. Uppuveli Beach – Trincomalee

Uppuveli Beach has located only 3km from Trincomalee town. Uppuveli offers an outstanding balance between the palm tree-laden sandy beach and waterfront bars and an array of accommodation options.

Uppuveli looks straight East onto the Indian Ocean, making it another perfect location on the East to view an oceanfront sunrise. More Details

 27. Arugam Bay Beach

Arugam Bay beach is on the Indian Ocean on Sri Lanka’s Southeast coast. The Bay is found 220 km due East of Colombo. Arugambay is necessary for fishing and tourism activities. In addition, it is considered one of the ten great surfing places in the world. International surfers choose between May to September each year. More Details 

28. Elephant Rock beach – Arugam Bay

Elephant Rock, titled after the rock’s assumed similarity to an elephant, is a popular surf spot for beginners, positioned only 4km away from Arugam Bay. Although Elephant Rock may be well known, it is one of the least crowded beaches on the island, primarily due to its lack of road access. To get here, you must take a tuk-tuk, get dropped off at the main road, and from there, it’s just a little walk. More Details

29. Pottuvil Point Beach

Pottuvil Point is a somewhat obvious point break that has much consistent wave. The most favourable wind direction is from the west-southwest, and there is no shade from cross-shore breezes. Wind swells and groundswells in equivalent weight, and the perfect swell direction is from the south-southeast. There is no point break. It can be seldom packed.

Many takeoff points with unique right-handers waves in Sri Lanka can change up to 800m rides. Tides vary a set, and the sand makes it another fan-favourite with surfs.

30. Whiskey Point Beach – Pottuvil

Waves perform to stay compatible hereabouts, even if they’re bad everywhere else. Takeoffs are precise, and you’re seeing fat and slow right-handers, giving it another beginner’s choice of surf in Whisky point near Pottuvil. The waves break off a rocky land near the Beach, forming excellent surfing conditions. It also can vary from 1–4 metres depending on the direction. This is where surfers can examine their abilities, as the waves take you towards the Beach and you feel the adrenaline hastening on game sense.

31. Okanda Beach

Okanda is a great walled-up performance wave with quite a hollow inside the segment. There is also a slight chance of getting covered on the takeoff – if you can be tried paddling onto the trailing edge of the whale-shaped rock shelf. Okanda picks up quite as well as Arugam Bay, though it is more sheltered from the prevailing south/southeast trade winds that tend to kick in like precision around mid-morning every day. 

Okanda is messier than the other opportunities, but you’ll get excellent full-on surf if it’s working.

Beaches on the North  coast of Sri Lanka

32. Casuarina Beach

Casuarina beach is the most famous in the Northern province, with shallow waters and white sandy beaches. Some small trees and shrubs provide perfect cover from the hot Sun if you feel like taking a break. Casuarina beach’s shoreline is stunning, ending in one corner with the Karainagar lighthouse. It is an hour’s drive from Jaffna city to the Beach. More Details

33. Charity Beach

Famous Charity Beach is loaded with white sand, coconut and palmyra trees. A 20-minute drive from Jaffna city, this area is also called Kayts. A few beach resorts are close, allowing visitors to access this Beach better than their hotels. In addition, numerous huts along the coast will enable visitors to rest from taking their tan. More Details

34. KKS Beach

KKS, or Kankasanthurai, has another extended beach and crystal-clear ocean. This Beach managed to be the naval hub of the Sri Lankan Navy. But now, this is a family-friendly beach that numerous locals visit. So the Beach is not crowded. The KKS lighthouse can be observed from a background as well. The fishing village where the harbour is located is close by as thoroughly. More Details

35. Manalkadu Beach

A fishing village lies next to the Beach, attached to the Manalkadu dunes with its ruins hidden inside; the famous one is the Dutch-built St. Anthony’s church. It is a long beach ideal for walks next to the waves. More Details

36 Nagarkovil Beach

The Nagarkovil beach is combined with the antiquity of Jaffna in a significant way. The remains of an Ayyanaar temple can be observed on the Beach. It is said that a Jain temple was constructed long ago, and the Beach had decayed over time, and now this temple is underwater in the Indian Ocean. Another white sandy beach with a village closes by with a popular Murugan kovil with its celebration. More Details

Suggested Read: Best Surfing Beaches in Sri Lanka