THE BEST BEACHES IN SRI LANKA

Warm, tropical Sri Lanka is an Island with over a thousand miles of beautiful, pale gold beaches, fringed by swaying coconut palms and surrounded by blue water. There are lovely bays, serene lagoons, coral reefs inhabited by colourful fish...and sunshines its blessing over all. Sri Lanka is a year-round beach destination. A tropical location keeps its beaches bathed in sunshine and its sea temperatures a warm and inviting 27° C. Well-rostered seasons and rainfall patterns ensure brilliant sunshine, dry weather and ideal sea conditions on the West and South coasts from November to April. The east and North coasts have fine dry weather and superb sea-conditions from May to September-October, making Sri Lanka beach holidays available year-round.

Arugam Bay

14 km. from Colombo, a most beautiful bay with good surfing. The East coast offers infinite possibilities for all kinds of water sports and underwater photography. The many ship-wrecks of the coast are a tempting challenge to the diver.

Jaffna Beach

Situated in the northern most tip of Sri Lanka, Jaffna is both a sea port as well as an important city. The rich ancient culture of Jaffna is very interesting and the remnants of the buildings of the Hindu period or of the colonial period speaks of the living history of Jaffina.

Among the notable Jaffina attractions mention may be made of the old Dutch forts, the tidal well, the Keerimalai Baths, Chundikulam Sanctuary and the Hindu temples. Apart from the ancient monumental structures, Jaffna also some spectacular beaches. These beaches draw the maximum number of tourists and they too love top busk in sunlight in the wonderful sandy beaches of Jaffna. However, of all the beaches in the city,Casuarina Beach is at Karainagar and there are good beaches as well at Santhakulam and Thondaimannar. The Tourism Board of Sri Lanka are of great help in planning tours to Jaffna.

Weligama Beach

27 km. from Galle with its picturesque bay, and an off shore islet where a French Count built his dream house, Weligama is where you will see the famous stilt fishermen

Wadduwa Beach

22 km from Colombo, has handicrafts made of reed and bamboo, coer and straw mats.

Unawatuna Beach

Unawatuna, near Galle is a beautiful wide curving golden beach. The beach has been acclaimed amongst 12 best beaches in the world. There is a reef protecting the beach, which makes it safe for bathing. Rumasssala, a rocky outcrop projecting into the sea at Unawatuna is connected to the legend of Ramayana.
It is believed to be a piece of mountain that was fallen when Lord Hanuman brought the mountain to Sri Lanka in search of a medicinal herb to treat Laxamana-Rama's brother wounded in battle. The serene surroundings and the Dutch architecture add to the charm of the place.

Trincomalee Beach

257 km. from Colombo, Trincomalee is the ideal refuge for the beach addict, with its fine natural harbour and offers some of the best sea bathing in the country.

Horatio Nelson, the British admiral of the 18th century had described Trincomalee as the finest harbor in the world. The hot wells and the Pigeon Islands are the important places of tourist interest in the vicinity. There is an old Portuguese/Dutch fort reminiscent of the Colonial era.