A brief overview of the beach resorts of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka: description of beaches with photos What are the best beaches in Sri Lanka

Those tourists who want to find Sri Lankan beaches with a calm ocean without waves should pay attention not only to geographical location beach on the island, but also for the time of year. In fact, in Sri Lanka you can always find beaches with a calm ocean, but at different times of the year there are beaches without waves on different coasts of the island.
Despite its relatively small size, the island of Sri Lanka has a surprisingly varied climate, influenced by two monsoon seasons. The northeast monsoon dominates the east and north of Sri Lanka for six months, and the southwest monsoon dominates the west and south for another six months. So Sri Lankan beaches with calm oceans can be found at any time of the year. You just need to understand which coast is better for relaxation at certain times of the year. Below we will talk about this.

Beaches without waves on the east coast of Sri Lanka

Arugam Bay, Uppuveli, Nilaveli, Pasekuda and Kalkuda. These are excellent beaches for swimming. True, the ocean is not always calm here. On the east coast of Sri Lanka, the period from April to September is considered the best for swimming. The fact is that at this time the region is not under the influence of the northeast monsoon. Serious deterioration in weather, which is accompanied by high waves on the ocean, begins here only in November and continues until February. It is also worth noting that during the transition months, which are March and October, the weather can be anything (depending on your luck).

Beaches without waves on the southern coast of Sri Lanka

It's a different story on the south coast, where beaches without waves can be found mainly between December and May. True, in summer sometimes the amount of precipitation here drops sharply, and the strong wind disappears for a while, so the ocean can be calm even in July and August. November marks a transitional season on the south coast, making the weather difficult to predict. However, in the second half of the month the chances of finding a calm ocean are greater than in the first half of November.

Beaches without waves on the west coast of Sri Lanka

Bentota, Hikkaduwa, Negombo and Alankuda are the most popular beaches on the west coast of Sri Lanka. Like the southern coast, the monsoon dominates here from June to October. The heaviest rains here occur between July and October, and June often has decent weather. The months of December to April are generally ideal for swimming in the calm ocean waters of western Sri Lanka as, in addition to the absence of waves, the weather is sunny and clear with little rainfall.

Look at best beaches Sri Lanka. Ceylon is a huge island surrounded on all sides by the ocean. There are so many beaches in Sri Lanka that even a month would not be enough to explore them all. We will tell you and show you those beaches that travelers choose when coming to Sri Lanka on vacation on a package tour or on their own.

Endless beaches in Sri Lanka

The most popular beaches in Sri Lanka

What most beaches in Sri Lanka have in common is yellow and coarse sand, high waves, length of coastline. At first it may seem that all the beaches of Sri Lanka are very similar to each other. Taking a closer look, you notice some differences. For example, somewhere there will be tall palm trees, and moving to the south of the island, it becomes more blue water.

Large ocean waves in Sri Lanka are always and on all beaches. Only a few closed small bays allow you to swim with minimal waves, or even without waves at all.

From Negombo all the way to Hikkaduwa, sun loungers are rare on the beaches, and there are no beach restaurants at all. Beach activities are not developed in Sri Lanka. Jet skis have only been spotted in Mirissa. But the locals offer boating or fishing.

Harassment of tourists on the beach in Sri Lanka is practiced everywhere. Traders, guides, scourge fights. It is best not to communicate with these people, ignore them completely, then they will leave behind.

All the main beaches of Sri Lanka are marked schematically on the map:

Let's start in order from north to south.

Negombo

Negombo beach is very long, uncrowded, but far from the cleanest in Sri Lanka. Suitable for those who want to quickly get to the nearest beach from the airport. Negombo is definitely not the place where you should go for your entire vacation with the hope of swimming in the ocean. Read our report.

On housing in Negombo we have in our blog with good reviews. Among the hotels within walking distance from the shore, the following good options can be distinguished:

Heritance Negombo
Cloud 9 Boutique Hotel

Marawila

Marawila beach is located 20 km north of Negombo and is, as it were, a continuation of it. However, the views are a little more picturesque, there is more greenery, and even fewer people. Where to stay in Marawila:

Club Palm Bay
Solomon Beach Hotel

Wadduwa

Wadduwa Beach is very secluded and non-touristy. Apart from fishermen, you won’t see many people on the shore here. The beach is visually beautiful with tall, hanging palm trees. read our review.

There are enough hotels in Hikkaduwa, prices vary, from cheap guest houses to four and five-star hotels with their own beach. See our selection. We lived in a hotel. A new and inexpensive 4-star hotel, located almost in the center, across the road from the sea.

The best options for relaxing on Hikkaduwa beach:

Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon
Coral Sands Hotel
KAI Hotel

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We use the service - KiwiTaxi
We ordered a taxi online and paid by card. We were met at the airport with a sign with our name on it. We were taken to the hotel in a comfortable car. You've already talked about your experience In this article

Unawatuna

Unawatuna Beach is the most popular beach in Sri Lanka. And for good reason. Unawatuna has the bluest water and the smallest waves. Suitable for families with children and even for those who cannot swim. In addition, it is a very developed area. .

There is a lot of inexpensive housing. The most popular options for staying in Unawatuna are:

Calamander Unawatuna Beach Resort
SHORE by HOPPA
The Lodge Unawatuna

Koggala

Koggala beach is several kilometers of deserted ocean beach with yellow sand and palm trees. Can be classified as wild beaches, despite 10 hotels. It is not safe to swim fully, since the waves are large and the beach is not monitored outside the hotels. . Where to stay:

The Fortress Resort & Spa
The Long Beach Resort

Weligama

Weligama beach is more of a beach for surfers, Weligama Bay is cute and party-friendly, there is definitely a highlight. Selection. Good options for stopping:

Weligama Bay Marriott Resort
W15 Hotel Weligama

Mirissa

Mirissa beach is good in everything. Beautiful coastline, unique views, clear water. There is an opportunity to fight against the high waves or find a secluded corner where there are no waves. .

Accommodation is dominated by guesthouses. Most of them are close to the ocean. In Mirissa we lived in a guest house for $30 per night, a 3-minute walk from the beach. We've compiled a list based on reviews and location.

Ocean Reach Holidays
Citrine Mirissa
Blue Whale Holiday Hotel

Matara

The beaches in Matara are wild, urban, fishing and dirty. The coast of Matara is more for contemplation than for swimming. No one takes care of it properly, so the beach is public in every sense of the word. To stay in this area, it is better to choose the neighboring villages of Mirissa or Dikwella.

Dickwella

Dikwella beach is not the most popular beach in Sri Lanka. The beach is little known among tourists. A large deserted bay. There are waves in Dikwella, like everywhere else in Sri Lanka, but nearby there is a picturesque beach without waves, Hiriketeya, which can be reached on foot. For accommodation in Dikwella, these are the hotels worth considering:

Crystal Resort Dickwella
Dickwella Resort and Spa
Dickwella Beach Hotel

Hiriketiya

Hiriketiya Beach is a secret beach. It is a cove, popular among surfers, but there are places for swimming without waves at all. One of the few beaches in the country where it is cozy, calm and has blue water. . Hotels near Hiriketiya Beach:

Pepper Hiriketiya
Dots Bay House
Salt House

Tangalle

Tangalla beach is preferred by advanced tourists, because this beach is one of the furthest in Sri Lanka. Despite the fact that it does not stand out too much with any special features, many value it for its privacy. In general, this is an ordinary beach for Sri Lanka, like dozens of others. Long, with yellow sand, big waves and not the best selection of hotels. But there are several good housing options here:

Golden Pearl Tangalle
Sea View Tourist Inn
Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort

Which beach to choose in Sri Lanka

The best beaches in Sri Lanka are Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna and Mirissa. For most tourists they will be the best choice.

These beaches are good in their own way; you can spend an unforgettable vacation on each of them. You can also add Bentota to this list, but this area is poorly developed, there are few cafes and tourist infrastructure.
Little-known and non-tourist beaches are usually unkempt and littered. There are many fishermen and dogs on them.
If you go to areas such as Negombo, Wadduwa, Kalutra, then you should only check into a good expensive hotel and be prepared to eat in the hotel restaurant, since there may not be anything nearby.
Apart from relaxing in a hotel and excursions, tourists in such places have nothing to do and nowhere to go.

Write in the comments what is your favorite beach in SHL? Which beach would you say is the best?

The beach got its name from the nearby resort town of the same name. This place fascinates with its romance, which is why newlyweds especially love it.

There are two parts. The northern one (aka Paradise) separates the Bentota Lagoon from the Indian Ocean. South will delight tourists with hotels and water activities.

Those interested can rent a banana and a catamaran, a scooter and water skis. Services also include surfing and boat trips. You don’t have to worry about safety: the entertainment takes place not in the ocean, but in the calm waters of the lagoon. Another local pride is the Confifi Marina diving club.

The place for diving into the water was chosen ideally: a short distance from the shore, no strong current and good visibility. Getting here is easy. Colombo, the unofficial capital of Sri Lanka, is 65 kilometers away.

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Unawatuna

The beach is located near the small fishing village of Unawatuna, near the provincial town of Galle. You won’t find sophisticated resort entertainment or luxury hotel complexes here: tourists mostly stay in small guesthouses. However, this stretch of coastline is an ideal place for those who are tired of the crowds of people along the coastline.

Pure golden sand and clear azure water - this is how Unawatuna can be described in a few words. There is no safer place for swimming on the entire island: the double coral reef serves as a reliable barrier from large waves.

The right one is suitable for those who just want to relax in peace and quiet. There is a sandier shore and a gentle entrance to the water. Cafes and restaurants located along the coast provide umbrellas and sunbeds for rent. On the beach you can enjoy lush exotic vegetation, and palm trees grow right on the shore.

Mirissa

Beach in the south of Sri Lanka, 25 kilometers from Matara - the nearest large city. It is famous for its picturesqueness, but it cannot be called wild. There are several villages nearby where you can rent a private house or stay in a hotel. There are sun loungers on the shore; you can take refuge from the heat in small cafes and restaurants. For lovers of active nightlife there are discos.

The beach is completely sandy, there are very few pebbles and shells, so you can safely walk barefoot without fear of hurting your feet. The entrance to the water is quite shallow: the depth begins only at a distance of 20-30 meters from the shore. The waves are big, but closer to the coastline they lose their strength. The main local attraction is a high rock with observation deck, from where you can see the beautiful surroundings.

Sri Lanka is a small island in Indian Ocean, located slightly south of India.

The country is also known as Ceylon and is home to the world's best tea. There are also many exotic animals living here - elephants, monkeys, chipmunks.

Thanks to the climate, you can relax on local beaches at any time of the year, in November, January, etc.

Thousands of tourists come here every year to enjoy the beautiful beaches and exotic nature. You can also watch elephants and see world-famous tourist sites.

The main cultural attraction is the Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy, and you should also visit the Temple of the Reclining Buddha near Ambalangoda.

It will be very interesting from natural places visit an elephant nursery Pinnawela.

When choosing a resort in Sri Lanka, you should understand several things:

Traffic on the island is slow. A distance of 100 kilometers can be covered in 3-5 hours. For example, a transfer to the Hikkaduwa resort from the airport will take about 4-5 hours.
Another nuance is the type of food. It is recommended to take accommodation on a breakfast basis, and have lunch and dinner in a variety of restaurants, especially since food here is inexpensive. For example, a full two-course dinner for two will cost no more than ten dollars . You should also understand that portions in local restaurants are very large.

The best beaches in Sri Lanka

Where is the best place to relax in Sri Lanka? This question has many answers, because... Some people are interested in some beaches, while others are interested in others.

On the island you can choose white beaches suitable for families with children, young people, for those who love surfing, diving or just lying on the beach.

For example Nilaveli- famous paradise beach, but there are few hotels here, so it will not be easy for tourists to visit it on their own.

Hikkaduwa Beach

Hikkaduwa is one of the most famous resorts in Ceylon. It is perfect for lovers of diving and snorkeling; it is also the youngest resort on the island.

It is located near Hikkaduwa coral reef. In the lagoon, located near the Chaaya Tranz hotel, everyone has the opportunity to feed the giant turtles, and the bravest ones can also swim with them.

Not far from the shore of Hikkaduwa you can see a beautiful coral reef, and those who wish can observe the local flora and fauna.

There are good waves on the shore of the resort, so everyone can learn to surf.

Now Hikkaduwa is one of the most advertised and developed resorts on the island; there are a lot of wonderful hotels and restaurants here.

The history of the resort is quite sad; ten years ago it was badly damaged by the 2004 tsunami. In memory of those times, a Buddha statue was built at the entrance to the resort.

Negombo Beach

Negombo– a resort located near the airport in Colombo. The coast is washed by the Laccadive Sea.

There are a lot of fish restaurants in this region, where everyone can enjoy fresh seafood and other delicacies.

It should be noted, however, that the coastal waters here are not the cleanest, so Negombo is unlikely to be suitable for families with children.

Unawatuna Beach

Unawatuna beach is considered one of the best on the island.

It is also included in the top ten best beaches in the world according to the Discovery Channel.

The beach itself looks like a lagoon. It is considered safe; there are practically no strong currents or waves here.

This region is suitable for divers; in the coastal waters you can find corals and see sunken ships.

Unawatuna is loved by families with children, as well as independent travelers. The first ones like the local beach and the absence of currents, while the second ones like the low prices for accommodation.

Pottuvil Point Beach

Pottuville Point

Pottuvil Beach is located in the eastern part of the island. Characterized by the presence of pure white sand and many stones, beautifully stacked near the shore.

The resort is home to mangrove forests, and many hotels and bars have been built along the running line.

This region is not suitable for families with children, but will be an ideal place for surfers. Because the waves here are quite large, and in the summer the resort hosts various championships in this sport.

Trincomalee Beach (Lang Co Beach)

Trincomalee

Trincomalee– one of the sunniest resorts in Sri Lanka. Located on the east coast of the island.

Along the coast of Trincomalee there are a lot of secluded coves that are suitable for both romantic and family vacation.

The only disadvantage of the region is its remoteness from International airport in Colombo. From there to the resort it will take about 8-12 hours.

Bentota Beach

Bentota- one of the most famous and quiet resorts in Ceylon, which is suitable for a romantic getaway.

The Bentota River flows in this area, where you can see crocodiles, monitor lizards and other exotic animals.

Also in this region is located a lot of prestigious and respectable hotels, which can safely be called one of the best on the island.

Koggala Beach

Kogalla– one of the best beaches in Sri Lanka. The coastline stretches for five kilometers, and the resort itself is suitable for all categories of vacationers.

One of the main natural attractions of the region is the lake, which stretches along the coastline.

The resort offers a variety of accommodation options - from inexpensive hotels to more prestigious properties. The bulk of tourists are young people who come for a quality and inexpensive vacation.

Tangalle Beach

Tangalle Resort also boasts one of the best beaches in Ceylon. One of the advantages is the absence large quantities tourists.

Tangalla

The resort has a lot of hotels and inexpensive apartments.

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The best beaches in Sri Lanka for a winter holiday

Holidays in Sri Lanka are divided into two categories or two seasons: summer and winter.

Some of the resorts are intended for recreation in the winter season, those from October to April, and others in the summer - from April to October.

For a winter holiday in Sri Lanka, the beaches located in the southwest of the country are suitable: Hikkaduwa, Bentota, Kogalla, Unawatuna and others.

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The best resorts in Sri Lanka from October to March

Sri Lanka is one of the best winter holiday destinations.

The coastline on the island stretches for a thousand kilometers, also at a time when we have winter and cold, here it is summer and heat.

Winter - best time for holidays in the southwestern part of the country. At this time there is practically no rain or strong waves.

Mount Lavinia

The Mount Lavinia beach resort is located 12 kilometers from Colombo. This region gained popularity during the English colony.

The main advantage of the resort is its proximity to Colombo. Accordingly, everyone will have the opportunity to go to the Ceylon metropolis for one day.

When going on vacation to the beaches of Mount Lavinia, you should be careful. There are very strong currents in coastal waters.