bigtravelbuzzSri Lanka’s beaches are heavens known for their idyllic landscapes, colorful wildlife and excellent surf. From east to west, each beach has its own character: white sandbars and mudflats, palm-lined swings and bohemian beach bars. Plus, there’s something for every traveler, whether you’re an advanced surfer looking for the best waves or a hammock enthusiast looking to relax and paddling in shallow water while sipping on a fresh coconut. Whatever you are looking for, spending time on the beach is a must in Sri Lanka!
Best beaches in Sri Lanka
Find and enjoy the best beaches in Sri Lanka! Use this complete guide to find the perfect beach for you, including crowds, surf, and seasonal ratings.
- Wijaya Beach – Amazing Beach in Sri Lanka
Our absolute favorite beach out of all the Sri Lankan beaches we have seen is Wijaya Beach. This stunning white-sand beach is nestled among dangling palm trees and surrounded by crystal-clear waters.It truly looks like a small slice of paradise!
Large boulders and coral reefs form natural pools and are great places for swimming and to see giant tortoises. Note the little head sticking out of the water for air.
After a wonderful relaxing day on the beach, be sure to visit the nearby beach bars and restaurants to enjoy your meal while watching sunset.
Season:
December to April, July to September
execution:
Little but there is always space on the beach to find a place to sit
surfing:
Not good, good for a relaxing bath
- Mirissa Beach, Sri Lanka
Mirissa attracts all types of people, from advanced surfers to avid sunbathers. Of all the beaches in Sri Lanka, Mirissa Beach is the most famous. Famous for great surfing, restaurants, bars and snorkeling.
The beach itself he stretches for 2 km and has a large parrot rock in the middle. The left side of the rock has the best snorkeling spots. On the right, surfers of all ages and skill levels enjoy incredible waves.
Parrot Rock (although no parrots!) is a major feature of any visit to Mirissa Beach. The rocks are located in front of the beach and offer great views of the palm forest below.Because the rocks are above sea level, you will need to check the tides to safely cross them. Season:
November to April, August to October
execution:
Very popular. Parrot Rock comes to life at sunset. We recommend visiting at sunrise (tide permitting) for a quieter viewing experience.
surfing:
good surf right on parrot rock.
- Mirissa’s Secret Beach
His one of the most hidden beaches in Sri Lanka, Secret Beach is an absolute gem. It’s no longer a big secret, but it’s getting a little harder to find. This makes for a quieter, more secluded atmosphere.
It’s tucked away next to the main beach with a small bar and local women selling coconuts. Beyond the cape he has to follow a steep 2km road, so it’s a bit of an adventure to get there (it takes about 30 minutes from Mirissa’s main beach). Once there, you’ll find that the cape is divided into three smaller beaches. Each one is slightly different and is a great spot for snorkeling and sunset. If you arrive early, you will have the chance to have the beautiful sea paradise all to yourself!
Season:
November to April, August to October
execution:
It gets crowded late in the day, but if you arrive early, you can enjoy it.
surfing:
Not great for paddling or snorkeling in rock pools.
Four. Hiriketiya beach in Sri Lanka
Hiliketiya Beach, also known as Hili Beach, is becoming more and more famous for its waves. Some say it’s becoming Sri Lanka’s surfer’s paradise!The reason why Horseshoe His Bay is so popular is because it’s surrounded by dense palm forests and is close to trendy restaurants where you can enjoy a delicious brunch. I understand. Surfers from all over the world are drawn to this place, bringing with it the surfy, bohemian vibe found throughout Hiliketiya.
The water is crowded, but there is still room to swim and watch surfers ride the best waves of the day from the comfort of the shore. The best way to do that is to rent a board and take lessons from one of his surf schools on the beach. Tips:
After enjoying the waves of Hiriketiya, head to nearby Dikwela. Here you can enjoy the sunset with swings on the palm beach.
Season:
November to April (small waves for beginners) and August to October (big waves for intermediates)
execution:
Especially in the morning with surfers and a little bit. Arrive at sunrise, the quietest time of the day.
surfing:
Great surfing – his one of the best beaches in Sri Lanka!
- Trincomalee Beach
Trincomalee Beach and Nilaveli Beach are radically different from other beaches in Sri Lanka. Due to their remote location on the east coast, these beaches are mostly uninhabited.
Trincomalee Beach is very populated with locals casting nets offshore and traditional colorful fishing boats. There are also some great beach he bars here where you can sit on the swings and enjoy a refreshing cocktail.
Hire a motorbike and just 10 minutes down a small sandy road to Nilaveli Beach. This beach is a long stretch of white sand surrounded by shallow, crystal clear blue waters. Here, time stands still while cows wander slowly along the beach, and almost no one is seen.
For the best snorkeling, take a boat from Nilaveli Beach to Pigeon Island (just 10 minutes away). This paradise island has a number of the nice snorkeling in Sri Lanka.
Tips:
From March to August, you can see migrating dolphins and whales.
Season:
February to August
execution:
calm down. If you choose a high spot on Nilaveli Beach, you may see no one but cows and fish on the beach all day.
surfing:
Although not suitable for surfing, the water is shallow and clear, perfect for swimming and snorkeling.
- Tangalle Beach
Tucked away on the southeast coast, Tangalle is his one of Sri Lanka’s beaches made for paradise seekers. A bit difficult to get to as it deviates from the usual route to Sri Lanka but it’s worth a visit! This means fewer tourists visit Tangalle and a quieter experience (note that there are only a handful of visible resorts in the area).
Sri Lanka’s best hidden beaches
The traditional fishing village has the friendliest people, turquoise blue waters, big foamy waves, beautiful white sandy beaches surrounded by palm trees and mangrove groves. Due to the reef and rocks, Tangalle Beach is not suitable for swimming or surfing due to strong currents and large waves. However, the long beach is a great place for walking, relaxing and watching the sunset. Enjoy the soothing sounds of nature, sleep in the shade and pick up fresh coconuts from passing vendors. A trip to Tangalle is a must on your Sri Lankan itinerary!
Tips:
Silent Beach is one of the best beaches in the region, scenic scenery and tranquility, he one of the finest beaches in Sri Lanka.
Season:
November to April, May to October
execution:
Very quiet!
surfing:
Not good for surfing. Here it can be difficult to swim, especially in September and October.
- Koggala Beach
Koggala is a relatively unknown beach paradise in Sri Lanka’s southwestern hinterland, situated between Unawatuna and Mirissa. Koggala Beach, with white sand and few people on the beach, is a great place to stay during your trip. Leave your first footprints in the sand and spend the day finding amazing wildlife here, from colorful fish to turtles to tiny sharks!
Also, take time to observe the traditional practices of stilt fishing that still remain here. Here, local fishermen perch on makeshift stilts and fish in the ocean near the beach. They sit for hours in the scorching sun, demonstrating tremendous strength and dedication to their work. Koggala is also known as one of Sri Lanka’s best surfing spots, but the currents are strong enough for intermediate surfers.
Tips:
Koggala has a small rainforest reserve around the lake (near the beach). Here you can discover mangroves, small islands and abundant wildlife. Take a boat trip and learn more about nature.
Season:
December to April, July to September
execution:
calm down
surfing:
For advanced surfers. It is quite windy, so it is also suitable for kitesurfing and windsurfing.
- Arugam Bay
Located on the east coast, Arugam Bay is truly Sri Lanka’s premier surfing beach and is becoming increasingly popular with surfers around the world. International surfing competitions are now held here. With great waves every day, many surfers make Arugam Bay their home during peak surfing season (April to September).
Despite its notoriety, the area still has a secluded beach vibe, with wooden huts lining the beach and palm forests. However, near the center you’ll find great restaurants, cafes and bars with plenty of international cuisine and funky outdoor terraces.
Tips:
Arugam Bay is just a short distance from some of Sri Lanka’s best national parks, including Yala and Udawalawe. For this reason, many tour operators offer jeep he safaris where you can see elephants, monkeys and even the elusive leopard.
Optimal travel time:
From April to September (please note that some hotels are closed outside of this peak surfing season). execution:
Popular in high season
surfing:
Best waves on Sri Lanka beach!
- Unawatuna Beach
Swaying palm trees, golden sands and dozens of simple beach bars and restaurants. That’s the beauty of Unawatuna. This beach is the most popular beach on the south coast of Sri Lanka. However, it is not necessarily as crowded as countries like Thailand or Spain. The spaciousness of Sri Lanka means that you can always find a place to relax. What’s more, Unawatuna Village has a laid-back vibe, where days pass slowly amidst coconut mists, delicious food and refreshing morning swims. The beach is in a protected bay, so it’s very safe for swimming.
Tips:
In Unawatuna, search for ‘Dream Cabana’ on Google Maps and you’ll find his Instagram hotspot in the city.
A great beach swing hanging high from the long overhanging palm trees on the beach.
Season:
November to April
execution:
This part of the south coast is easily accessible from Colombo, making it popular during the high season.
surfing:
It’s possible, but not great. The protected bay is suitable for swimming and relaxing.
- Hikkaduwa Beach
Hikkaduwa Beach is one of the beaches on the west coast of Sri Lanka and is the closest beach to Colombo. Due to its west-facing nature, the sunsets at Hikkaduwa Beach are out of this world. There is nothing more beautiful than watching the sun melt into the horizon in the warm night air.
During the day, Hikkaduwa is a popular spot for diving and snorkeling with its spectacular coral reefs. Among the reefs and shipwrecks, you can see a wide variety of wildlife, from small tropical fish to large sharks. Giant tortoises also swim very close to the beach, offering travelers a unique opportunity to see these incredible aquatic giants up close. Don’t touch and remember to watch from a distance.
Tips:
If you are staying at Hikkaduwa Beach, stay a little further out of town as sightseeing in the town center can get a little crazy.
Season:
November to April
execution:
Yes, it is famous for its proximity to turtles and Colombo.
surfing:
Surfing is the best!