From iconic scenes to hidden treasures, Sri Lanka has no shortage of exceptional beaches — but only the most breath-taking gained it above this bucket list of the top beaches in Sri Lanka.
Passikudah beach is located in the Eastern seaboard of Sri Lanka near Kalkuda, about 35 kilometres from Batticaloa Town. The sea-green blue waters of the bay attract local and foreign tourists to this vast sandy beach under the hot tropical sun to surf, swim or frolic in the water. Several additional activities are available, like kite surfing, boogie boarding to surfing and sailing and more.
Unawatuna beach is located about 15 minutes away 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, the Unawatuna Beach is a must-visit if you see to unwind and enjoy the entertainments of this coastal town. Unawatuna city is loaded with so many activities for travellers, making it possible for families, colleagues, partners.
Sri Lanka 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 the Beruwala beach, Moragalla beach is a haven for beachgoers exploring an isolated beach holiday in Sri Lanka.
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.
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. Various water sports attract adrenaline with snorkelling, diving, surfing, and many more. Though, if you are looking for a more low-key holiday, the beach is absolute for the entire family to have a party, frolic in its oceans, or play a bit of beach volleyball. Hikkaduwa Beach is a range of unlimited entertainment.
Arugam Bay beach is located on the Indian Ocean on Sri Lanka's South-East coast. The Bay is found 220 km due East of Colombo. Arugambay is necessary for fishing and tourism activities. In addition, it is considered to be one of the ten great surfing places in the world. International surfers choose between May to September each year.
Bentota beach is environed by bush and palm trees. The sand is bright white on this vast beach, and the sea is bright aqua-blue due to its light-coloured sandy bottom. It's the place for many Star class Hotels gathered together plus numerous other more petite boutique hotels with Sun, surf and sand. This provides the guest with 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, water skiing, kite surfing to a leisurely ride on a banana boat for the group & kids.
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.
Best season February – November
Talalla is one such secret treasure of Sri Lanka. Though this place is beautiful in its way, 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, and it appears almost uncrowded throughout the day. It is also pretty easy to enter the beach, as it is just a 2-hour drive from the city of Galle.
Polhena Beach, located near the city of 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 silence and peace to induce that sense of tranquillity in the traveller's mind. Even the waters are relatively calmer than that encountered in Galle and Weligama because the corals act as a fence of sorts. Although famous as a picnic beach, there are a few water sports that you can engage in, particularly swimming and snorkelling.
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.
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 an ideal place for morning yoga and meditation and evening relaxation.
Casuarina beach is the most famous beach 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. The shoreline of the Casuarina beach is stunning, which ends in one corner with the Karainagar lighthouse. It is an hour’s drive from Jaffna city to the beach.
A fishing village lies next to the beach, attaches 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 that is ideal for walks next to the waves.
Nilaveli beach is counted as one of the brightest white sand beaches in Aisa, 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 gives it excellent to rest and beach hotel, it is the oldest and most prominent hotel near the area.
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.
Midigama Beach is in the 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 referred to by the collective name of Midigama, the name of the small town at their centre.
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 there had done a Jain temple 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.
Negombo, Located six kilometres away 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 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.