Best Top 10 Beaches in Sri Lanka
written by Lasi
The island nation of Sri Lanka, which is quickly earning recognition as one of the world's most stunning beach destinations, provides a variety of scenery, from rainforests to infinite stretches of fine, white-sand beach. A long cultural past that dates back thousands of years complements the natural splendor. There are more direct flights to Sri Lanka than ever before, leaving from major airline hubs in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
Traveling around this wonderful island nation promises an unforgettable experience. It is home to an incredible variety of ancient archaeological sites, gorgeous national parks full of wildlife, and of course a plethora of jaw-dropping beaches.
You may visit the picturesque hidden coves, gorgeous sandy beaches, and tranquil little fishing communities along its lengthy coastline while admiring the lovely coral reefs and whale pods waiting just offshore.
With such a wide variety of breathtaking vistas, it is no surprise that Sri Lanka's tourism sector is flourishing. One of its many features is the amazing beaches it has to offer.
Because the nation has two monsoon seasons that have varying effects on the island at various periods, advance planning is essential. From May through September, resorts and beaches in the west and southwest should be avoided, while from October through February, the monsoon season is in effect in places in the east and north. With our ranking of Sri Lanka's best beaches, you can discover your new favorite island retreat.
01.Mirissa Beach
Expert surfers and ardent sunbathers both are drawn to Mirissa. The most well-known beach in Sri Lanka is Mirissa beach, which is also recognized for its outstanding snorkeling, bars, restaurants, and surfing.
The impressive Parrot Rock is located in the center of the 2-kilometer-long beach. The ideal location for snorkeling is on the rock's left side. Surfers of all ages and skill levels may be seen enjoying the fantastic waves to the right.
Visit Parrot Rock while you're in Mirissa Beach, albeit you won't see any parrots there! The rock provides excellent views of the palm tree forest below as it stands in front of the beach.
You'll need to find out the tidal timings because the rock is out at sea in order to traverse it safely.
• best time to visit :November through April and August through October
• Packed: Very well-liked. At dusk, Parrot Rock becomes quite popular. If the tide allows, we advise going at sunrise for a more tranquil viewing experience.
• Surfing: To the right of Parrot Rock, there is good surfing.
More Things to Know About Holiday Fun in Mirissa
Mirissa will likely be on the top of your list of the best places to visit in Sri Lanka, and for good reason. Having fun at the bars that line the beach is just one of the many amazing things to do in Mirissa.
I enjoyed staying in a motel for 4 nights directly across from Mirissa Beach. In addition to snorkeling, whale watching, visiting Coconut Tree Hill, and unwinding at the neighboring Secret Beach, I also scaled Parrot Rock for a breathtaking view over Mirissa Beach.
So in my opinion, Mirissa is a fantastic location to spend at least a few nights. In fact, a week or more in Mirissa would be no problem at all!
In Mirissa, there are numerous hotels available for every price range. The Green Garden Guesthouse Mirissa, which is close to Mirissa Beach, was where I stayed. Although they don't have a pool and are only a 5-minute walk from the beach, this is the ideal low-cost accommodation.
I've heard wonderful things about the Randiya Sea View Hotel if you're looking for something a little more opulent. Here, there is a fantastic restaurant and bar directly on the beach!
02.Secret Beach,mirissa
One of Sri Lanka's most secret beaches, Secret Beach is a true gem. It's a little more difficult to locate even though it's not really a secret anymore. It appears considerably quieter and farther away as a result.
It is hidden off the main beach and has a small tavern and a local woman selling coconuts. To get there, you must travel a 2-kilometer, treacherous trail that crosses a headland (it takes about 30 minutes from Mirissa main beach).
When you arrive, you'll notice that the headland has been divided into three small beaches. It's a great site for snorkeling and watching sunsets, and each one is a little bit different.
You might be able to enjoy this stunning ocean paradise all to yourself if you arrive here early enough in the morning.
•best time to visit: November through April and August through October is best time to visit here
• Busy: It can get busy later in the day, but if you get there early, you can enjoy it to yourself.
• Surfing is not great; paddling in the rock pools and snorkeling are better.
More Things to Know About Holiday Fun in Secret Beach,Mirissa
Day trips to Mirissa that also include a stop at Secret Beach are available from Negombo. To have time to visit Secret Beach as well as a few of the other beaches on this list, I would advise staying in the town of Mirissa for at least a few nights.
There aren't many excellent hotels close to Secret Beach. So as an alternative, I suggest booking a hotel close to Mirissa Beach and then taking a tuk-tuk to Secret Beach from there.
The fairly priced Paradise Beach Club is located on Mirissa Beach and can be reached from Secret Beach in just a few minutes by taxi or tuk-tuk. It would be affordable for most tourists and has a pool by the beach!
November through March are the ideal months to visit Secret Beach. There isn't a lot of rain right now!
3.Unawatuna Beach
The charming beach town of Unawatuna is situated directly between Hikkaduwa and Mirissa. It can be readily reached from any location and is a frequent stop on a road trip along the southern coast!
I simply had to include Unawatuna on this list because it is unquestionably the most well-known beach in Sri Lanka. But what makes Unawatuna Beach so fantastic?
Well, to be completely honest, I'm not sure if the hoopla is justified.
Instagram gave the beach worldwide attention, but despite what the hoopla says, I don't think it's the nicest beach in Sri Lanka.
The beach itself can get very crowded, and there are many vendors who stroll the shore, which can irritate anyone who don't want to shop.
The renowned Stilt Fishman can frequently be seen at Unawatuna Beach. While fishing in this manner is incredibly interesting and stunning, it is not particularly authentic, and the majority of fisherman merely do this for visitors' money (not to actually catch any fish.)
If you don't mind crowds and merchants, Unawatuna is still stunning and well worth a visit. In addition, there are many of fantastic excursions and activities, like surfing, to keep you active. It is considered to be one of Sri Lanka's best surf beaches.
We may have been a little let down by this beach altogether because we had such high expectations for it.
•Best time to visit: Best months for smaller, novice waves are November to April and August to October (bigger waves for the more advanced surfers)
• busy: A bit, especially with surfers starting in the middle of the morning. For the most peaceful time of the day, arrive at sunrise.
• Surfing: Excellent surfing on one of Sri Lanka's top beaches!
More Things to Know About Holiday Fun in unawatuna
Unawatuna was, in my opinion, the least appealing of all the beaches along Sir Lanka's southern coast. But surfers will appreciate this beach more than I do. So if that describes you, make sure to reserve a hotel and come here to surf for a while!
For everyone else, I would advise staying nearby in Hikkaduwa or Mirissa and taking a day excursion to Unawatuna Beach. At Unawatuna Beach, you may learn to surf or even go scuba diving!
04.Arugam Bay beach
.jpeg "Arugam Bay beach in sri lanka")
On Sri Lanka's east coast, Arugam Bay is without a doubt the most visited beach. This beautiful area is well-known for surfing and the easygoing way of life that it entails. In actuality, it is the nation's most well-liked surf beach.
There are several places to unwind on the white-sand beach of Arugam Bay. No matter where you stay, you won't be far from the beach because every restaurant and hotel runs parallel to it.
Even if it's not the ideal beach for non-surfers, it's nevertheless a wonderfully tranquil vacation destination that draws lots of visitors.Amazing sunsets are another reason to visit Arugam Bay Beach!
•best time to visit: November to April
•busy: A bit, especially with surfers starting in the middle of the morning.
•surfing: Amazing
More Things to Know About Holiday Fun in Arugam Bay Beach
The months of May to October, when the swells on the west coast vanish, are the best for surfing in Arugam Bay.
There are many inexpensive lodging options, board rental establishments, and surfing establishments nearby. Additionally, you can reserve a surf school where you'll live and breathe surfing.
The best thing, though? Surprisingly affordable!
Don't worry if you're not a surfer—there are still a ton of other things to do in and around Arugam Bay, and the nightlife is one of them.
The recently opened Hangover Hostel is one of the best and most well-known party hostels.
You can enjoy a wonderful social environment here, which might cause you to skip the majority of your day!
Your options are more constrained if you desire a premium hotel.
You won't be dissatisfied, but Kottukal Beach House by Jetwing is the best in the region.
5.Polhena Beach
Amazing fauna, calm waters, and snow-white sand!
Imagine a vast, tranquil harbor with hundreds of meters of 3-foot-deep, crystal-clear water. Now visualize a large number of enormous sea turtles swimming in that water.
On Sri Lanka's southern coast, at Polhena Beach (also known as Turtle Beach), you can anticipate that.
I was stunned when I first found this gorgeous beach. both the absence of people and the wildlife. Why, in fact, weren't more people visiting this stunning beach? Well, I immediately forgot about that and spent the rest of the afternoon snorkeling with turtles.
If you are staying in Mirissa, you will need to drive 30 minutes south to reach Polhena Beach.
The majority of visitors travel by day from Mirissa to Polhena Beach, but you can also go from Galle, Matara, Unawatuna, or other adjacent coastal towns.
You can rent snorkeling equipment at the beach to get a close-up view of the sea turtles. The tranquil waters in this area are what the turtles appreciate best; they are entirely wild. Avoid approaching the turtles too closely, don't feed them, and don't touch them out of respect for them and their space.
On the shore there is also a turtle hatchery. Turtle hatchlings are being released here.
This is without a doubt one of Sri Lanka's top beaches and the ideal site to swim with wild turtles (for free!).
I can't stress visiting Polhena Beach enough if you love nature!
You may swim alongside these enormous sea turtles at Polhena Beach!
•best time to visit: November to April
•busy: A bit, especially with surfers starting in the middle of the morning.
•surfing: Excellent
More Things to Know About Holiday Fun in polhena beach
Nearby to several of the tourist cities on Sri Lanka's southern coast, Polhena Beach is conveniently situated. Due of this, the majority of visitors take a day excursion from Mirrisa and hire a car to go to Polhena Beach (20-minutes away.)
Having said that, there are several lodging choices if you want to spend a few nights close to Polhena Beach. Compared to neighbouring towns like Mirissa, this location is far less crowded and more picturesque. The stunning Amaloh Boutique Resort is ideally situated near to Polhena Beach.
6.Nilaveli Beach
The little but lovely Nilaveli Beach is the first beach I come across on the east coast. It was difficult to choose a favorite beach along Sri Lanka's east coast because they were all so great!
The nicest beaches in Sri Lanka may easily be found on the country's east coast. The ideal ingredients for a fantastic beach include calm waters, gorgeous sand, a lack of people, and clean water.
Well, Nilaveli Beach has all of that and is far less congested than other well-liked beaches in Sri Lanka!
Dinner on the beach at Nilaveli
The best time to see dolphins and whales is from March to August when they are migrating.
• best time to visit :February through August Best Time to Visit
• Busy: Quiet. If you choose a position far up Nilaveli beach, you might spend the entire beach day without seeing anyone other than cows and fish—pure pleasure!
• Surfing: The shallow, clean water is ideal for swimming and diving but not for surfing.
More Things to Know About Holiday Fun in Nilaveli Beach
From Trincomalee, many people take a day excursion to Nilaveli.
Nilaveli Beach is very accessible from Trincomalee; all you have to do is hop in a tuk-tuk or cab to go there!
However, if you have the time, think about spending one or two nights in Nilaveli!
I adored the distinctly non-touristy small town atmosphere. In Nilaveli, a large number of hotels are homestays or modest guesthouses with a limited number of rooms. As a result, they are really affordable, and staying there is an interesting experience. And even if they are modest, family-run inns, many of them are lovely and cozy!
Suman Beach Rooms was a terrific place for us to stay. The owners were really gracious, and the hotel was extremely affordable. However, if you'd prefer something a little more opulent, think about purchasing
Suman Beach Rooms was a terrific place for us to stay. The owners were really gracious, and the hotel was extremely affordable. However, if you're looking for something a little more opulent, think about renting out a full cabana on the beach!
There are many neighborhood eateries around, as well as Nilaveli Beach. On the beach, Mama's Juice Bar was one of the nicest locations to unwind. They served wonderful food and had daybeds and lounge chairs.
Overall, Nilaveli Beach is one of the best beaches in Sri Lanka for relaxing and avoiding the larger crowds that other beaches seem to draw.
7.Hikkaduwa Beach
One of the beaches in Sri Lanka, Hikkaduwa is the one nearest to Colombo and is found on the country's west coast. Hikkaduwa Beach's west-facing location makes for beautiful sunsets; nothing compares to watching the sun set in the pleasantly warm evening air.
Hikkaduwa is well-known for diving and snorkeling because of its spectacular coral reefs, which are visible during the day. The reefs and shipwrecks are home to a wide variety of animals, from tiny tropical fish to larger sharks. Travelers have the rare chance to witness these amazing water giants up close when enormous turtles swim quite close to the beach.
Please always remember to show the turtles respect by keeping your distance, never touching them, and observing them from afar to prevent stress.
The tourist in the core of Hikkaduwa Beach can be a bit chaotic, so if you're staying overnight, consider staying a little outside of town.
• best time to visit :November through April is best time to visit
• Busy: Indeed, it is well-known for its turtles and for being close to Colombo.
•Surfing: excellent!
More Things to Know About Holiday Fun in Hikkaduwa Beach
One of the nearest beach towns to Colombo is Hikkaduwa Beach, which is an excellent place to start your tour of Sri Lanka. You may actually reserve a reasonable transfer to take you directly from the Colombo airport to Hikkaduwa!
The ideal beach location for your Sri Lanka vacation is Hikkaduwa. There are a ton of fantastic hotels, activities galore, and outstanding dining options everywhere. Not to mention that traveling to other towns, beaches, and tourist destinations is simple from here!
Citrus Hikkaduwa is the hotel I personally like best at Hikkaduwa Beach. It is quite reasonably priced and has a pool right on the beach. You can view turtles at this location, which is directly on Hikkaduwa Beach, most likely.
8.Dutch Bay Beach
I'm still baffled as to how such a lovely beach is deserted.
The least well-known beach on this list of the top beaches in Sri Lanka is Dutch Bay, but it's also one of the prettiest!
It is situated close to Fort Frederick and outside the Maritime Museum in Trincomalee. This beach is adored by local Sri Lankans, yet for some reason it has not become a popular tourist destination. The beach is very uncrowded and has lots of space to unwind during the week.
Dutch Bay is tranquil because of its orientation. You truly can't ask for much more at this beach because the water is perfectly clean and the sand is pearly white.
Oh, except that we also learned that a pod of about 200 dolphins frequently visits the bay! Seeing them will obviously require luck, but it's still a fantastic opportunity.Drinks at Fernando's bar in Trincomalee during the sunset!
• best time to visit: December through April and July through September
• busy: A little bit crowded, but there is always space to locate a seat on the beach.
• Surfing: better for a leisurely swim
More Things to Know About Holiday Fun in Dutch Bay Beach
If you are vacationing in Trincomalee, you may easily visit Dutch Bay since it is nearby. Trincomalee's tourist district is on Uppuveli Beach, so I suggest getting accommodations there. Then, take a taxi or tuk-tuk to Dutch Bay one day.
Blue Sand Beach Resort was where we stayed. Given the enviable beachside location and the sizable rooms with air conditioning, it was incredibly affordable. Dutch Bay Beach is just a quick 5–10 minute drive away from here.
In Trincomalee, there is another more opulent hotel called Amaranthe Bay Resort. Anyone looking for a luxurious place to stay close to Dutch Bay Beach and Uppuveli Beach should consider this!
There are lots of things to do in Trincomalee besides beaches, which is such a cool place! It truly has something for everyone, from whale viewing to temples to Pigeon Island (more on that below). Check out all of Trincomalee's attractions before you go to make sure you don't miss anything!
9.Pigeon Island Beaches
Nilaveli Beach in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka, is close to the swimming beach on Pigeon Island National Park. Image courtesy of Big Stock
Off the coast of Trincomalee, Sri Lanka, is a little island called Pigeon Island. Due to their stunning and distinctive ecosystems, the entire island and its surroundings are preserved as a national park.
The marine life, which includes turtles and Black Tip Reef Sharks, is one of Pigeon Island's main draws. You almost certainly will run into these guys because they are so prevalent in the neighborhood.
From Trincomalee or Niliveli, tours to Pigeon Island are available. Despite being expensive, the majority of the money goes toward protecting the national park!
The most distinctive beach in Sri Lanka is Pigeon Island, which is well worth a visit.
At Pigeon Island in Sri Lanka, a shark is swimming.
•best time to visit: November to february
•busy: A bit, especially with surfers starting in the middle of the morning.
•surfing: Excellent
More Things to Know About Holiday Fun in Pigeon Island Beach
Pigeon Island doesn't have any lodging options. Only daytime visits are permitted, and guests must book accommodations in Nilaveli or Trincomalee.
Pigeon Island can only be reached by boat. Either reserve a guided excursion or simply board a boat at Uppuveli or Nilaveli Beach. The cost of the boat journey is reasonable, but you should budget more than $30 USD for the national park entrance charge.It is advisable to visit Pigeon Island on a weekday when there are less tourists. It may get pretty busy on the weekends!
10.Marble Beach
My favorite beach in Sri Lanka was Marble Beach. This place's water is absolutely stunning and must be seen!
I know I say this a lot, but this time is different. My favorite beach in Sri Lanka is Marble Beach.
The cause?
It is the nation's cleanest, best-maintained, and most well-kept beach. You see, the Sri Lankan navy is the owner of Marble Beach, and they maintain and patrol the area.
This makes it garbage-free, secure, and a wonderful location to unwind on the gorgeous white sand. Near the beach, you can snorkel among some reefs and borrow the necessary gear from the lifeguards.
From May to October, this coastal region is a fantastic location in Sri Lanka for whale watching cruises. At Marble Beach, there is a place named Ralla that is very reasonably priced and provides fantastic fish and beverages.
Check out that stunning beach!
•best time to visit: November to April
•busy: A bit, especially with surfers starting in the middle of the morning.
•surfing: Excellent
More Things to Know About Holiday Fun in Marble Beach
You can only stay at the Marble Beach Air Force Resort, which is located directly on Marble Beach. Stay here if you can afford it; this house is stunning!
Otherwise, you can reserve a room at one of Trincomalee's many hotels and limit your trip to Marble Beach to a single day.
When you arrive in Marble Beach, make sure to eat at Ralla, enjoy snorkeling, and maybe even take a climb up Diamond Hill! But most of all, just take it easy on one of Sri Lanka's top beaches! You will undoubtedly adore Marble Beach!