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.

Tangalle Beach

Situated 195 km from Colombo, Tangalle is one of the nicest spots along the cost, particularly if you want somewhere to find a place to laze and soak up the sun.

Tangalle's series of bays are the modern attraction, white sandy beach of Medaketiya shimmer away from the northeast to smaller bays on the west.

Nilaveli Beach

4 km. from Trincomalee, Nilaveli was the venue for the 1985 International Funboard Championships.The beach has ample water sports facilities including fishing and sea angling. Whale watching in the sanctuary is a speciality. Pigeon Island, a ten-minute boat ride from the Nilaveli beach, is an ideal place to skin/scuba dive, or to just have a sun bath. A few metres from the coast is a small rocky island good for snorkeling.

Negombo Beach

A characteristic fishing town 37km. north of Colombo, it is a mere 6 km. from the International Airport. Set amid lush groves of coconut palms, it breathes the spirit of the sea. Negombo is a gourmet's paradise with sea food in plenty. Old world fishing craft like the outrigger canoe and the catamaran bring seer, skip jack, herring and mullet, pomfret and amber - jack while lobster and prawns are caught in the lagoon.

Koggala Beach

Koggala beach is about 12 kms south of Galle. Koggala beach is one of the most enchanting in Sri Lanka. Stilt -Fisherman are a familiar sight here.

Kalkudah Beach and Passekudah Bay

Sri Lanka is the ultimate call for all the wanderlust travelers in search of some relaxation combined with some exciting action. Whether you want to try out some amazing sport activity like snorkeling, wind surfing or skiing or just bask in the sun along the beaches of Sri Lanka , this place offers everything for everyone. The delightful sights of the rising and falling waves surprises the visitors with the natural beauty that it exhibits. Kalkudah beach on the east coast, is one among the many stunning beaches of Sri Lanka .
Kalkudah Bay is a 2 km long wide stretch of beach, located 32 km north of Batticaloa. Kalkudah & Passekudah are two very fine beaches in the East Coast of Sri Lanka. One of the best stretches of beach in Sri Lanka is the East Coast which runs to more than 300 kilometers . It is well protected from the monsoon by an off shore reef. Passekudah Bay is another wide beach 4 km. long just south of Kalkudah .The combined beaches of Kalkudah and Passekudah are ideal for bathing as the sea is clear, calm and reef-protected. It is a favorite among the nature lovers and for those looking for some exciting water sport activity. The Kalkudah beach provides a perfect setting for sun bathing , windsurfing , and skiing. The beach also houses a varied number of tropical fishes and exotic coral reefs. The combined area of Kalkudah and Passekudah was declared as the National Holiday resort in 1973.

Kalkudah is one of the finest beaches in the east coast on the way to Batticaloa .It is also emerging as a popular tourist centre with many modern hotel facilities. May to September is considered as the best time to visit east coast, as it is dry during this period and the surfers can go for sun bathing , wind surfing without much difficulty. The beach adorned with coconut palms is truly one of the finest stretch in the east coast of Sri Lanka, thus no wonder it also emerges as a popular tourist destination.

Mirissa Beach

Situated on the Matara road 4 km southeast of Weligama, Mirissa marks for one of the country's most beautiful beach. Its headland separates its small fishing harbor from its beautiful curve of sandy beach with calm, clear waters. Mirissa is the alternative for quieter place to Unawatuna or Hikkaduwa

Mannar Island

The Island is probably the driest, most barren area in Sri Lanka. The landscape features many baobab trees, probably introduced from Africa by Arab traders centuries ago.

Mannar, the major town on the island, is at the southern end, joined the mainland by a 3 km causeway. It's not interesting apart from its picturesque Portuguese/Dutch fort. Talaimannar, near the western end, is about 3 km from the pier that was the arrival and departure point of the ferry for India that operated until 1984.

A little farther west, an abandoned lighthouse at South Point marks the start of Adam's Bridge, the chain of reefs, sandbanks and islets that almost connects Sri Lanka to India.

In the epic Ramayana, the bridge was the series of stepping stones that Hanuman used to follow Ravana, the demon king of Lanka, in his bid to rescue Sita.

Mount Lavinia Beach

Just 12 km. south of Colombo, Mount Lavinia is an immediate city suburb and the beach is one of the better known even in colonial times. It lies alongside a wind swept headland jutting into the waters of the Indian Ocean. The sand is the softest and the waves calm and clear. The Governor's House built in 1805 by Sir Thomas Maitland, now forms part of the famous Mount Lavinia Hotel

Kalutara Beach

Two and half hours drive from the airport, this small yet busy town is well known for its iconic Gangatilaka Vihara, one of the few Buddhist monuments that permits entry and a true highlight worth visiting. Markets and small shops make up this seaside down and it’s fascinating to watch the locals trade - from coconut fibre products to fresh fish and vegetables. Kalutara's golden beach is fringed by magnificent palms and is excellent for swimming. Stay at Mermaid, an attractive beachfront hotel offering excellent value for money.

Hikkaduwa Beach

8 km. south of Colombo, Hikkaduwa is the place for underwater delight. Site of the famed coral gardens; hire a glass bottomed boat or goggles and flippers and explore the fantasies under your feet. Don't purchase or encourage sale of corals.

Galle Beach

116 km. south of Colombo, is the most important southern town with an old-world charm. Believed to be the 'Tarshish' of the Bible, its natural harbour was a famous fort in days gone by. Famous for its Dutch fort, lace making, ebony carving and gem polishing....

Batticaloa Beach

14 km. from Colombo, Batticaloa is famous for its 'singing' fish and picturesque lagoon.