Beach holidays in Sri Lanka

Holiday Destinations / Asia, Indian Ocean, Middle East / Sri Lanka / Things to Do / Beach Holidays

From world-class surfing spots to relaxing sandy coves, the beaches in Sri Lanka are amongst the country’s predilect attractions and visitors come in their thousands here to unwind and relax, dive, or go on whale-watching adventures

Stunning sandy beaches can be found in all four cardinal points in Sri Lanka. The west coast is the most developed in terms of tourism infrastructure. That’s where the best package tour resorts are located which also means some of the best beaches in the country are located here.

Beaches to the south coast are popular among independent travellers. Stunning beaches, good accommodation, and lots of beach activities attract visitors hoping for a beach holiday experience away from the resorts. However, tourism development is coming to the area and you can already see some big brands unveiling new properties in the area.

The east coast and north coast are even better for off-the-beaten-path beach experiences. Conflict in the east kept the stunning beaches cut out from tourism; with peace, adventurous travellers are starting to come here to discover truly unspoiled beaches that are nothing short of spectacular. In the north coast, having a beach to yourself is not a miraculous happenstance, but the norm.

For diving and snorkelling, Pigeon Island off Nilaveli beach is an all-time favourite for its crystal clear waters, colourful fish, and shallow reefs. For whale watching, practically anywhere along the coast is good. Mirissa is, however, the best base for spotting blue whales. For pampered relaxers looking to indulge in luxury and comfort, Bentota beach is the place to go, there’s lots of boutique hotels here and the beach is pretty good.

Pinpointing the best beaches overall in Sri Lanka is open to endless debate. But some of the most popular include:

Talalla: unspoiled, moon-shaped swath of white sand, with the forest providing a dramatic backdrop

Hiriketiya: This cove in the south coast is simply stunning and is great for surfing, swimming, or simply unwinding in the quintessential tropical setting.

Tangalla: Postal-perfect tropical sharm, lovely coves and powdery soft sands make this beach in Sri Lanka a favourite among all types of travellers.

Mirissa: Another south coast favourite, famed not only for its beauty, but also as one the best places for whale-watching.

For an idyllic beach holiday in Sri Lanka, we’d recommend a stay at Shangri-La’s Hambantota Golf Resort & Spa. Located in the south coast and in close proximity not only to some of the best beaches in Sri Lanka but also to Yala National Park, this resort can be the perfect base to explore a bit of Sri Lanka or simply to unwind and relax by the beach in a luxurious setting.

We know Sri Lanka from personal experience and have done ourselves most of the activities we recommend here. If you’d like more information, tips and advice, and help planning and booking your holiday in Sri Lanka, feel free to get in touch by chat, phone, videoconference, or email. We are always here to help.

Abe.
Travel Designer and Founder at Travelisto