10 Most Beautiful Beaches in Sri Lanka

The beautiful island country Sri Lanka is blessed with a lot of natural beauty. This country is a cluster of islands. And, when it comes to islands, this country is full of some incredibly beautiful beaches. Naturally, Sri Lanka is famous for its beautiful beaches.

People from all around the world come to this country to explore the outstanding beaches of Sri Lanka. The scenic views of this place will drag you again and again towards this country. Therefore, Sri Lanka can be the best destination to rejuvenate your soul and mind completely. If you are a beach lover, then let’s explore the best beaches in Sri Lanka.

Here is the list of 10 Best Beaches in Sri Lanka:

1. Kalkudah

It is one of the best beaches in Sri Lanka and is perfect for wading and swimming. Here, you will see gentle surf on the sea, and a reef protects the shore. The shallow water lets you walk out into the ocean for hundreds of yards. The sand is also soft and bright white with fine grains.

At the beach line, you can see a lot of coconut trees. Due to the luxury resort development, this beach is getting more popular. People who want a calm and peaceful gateway on the water’s edge surely can visit the Kalkudah beach.

• Things to Do & Activities: Swimming, sunbathing, and enjoying the serene atmosphere.
• How to Reach: Located in the east, accessible via road from Batticaloa or by train to Valaichchenai, then a short taxi ride.

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2. Uppuveli

This beach is situated on the island’s east coast. Uppuveli Beach offers an unspoiled and true remote beach experience to visitors. It is a perfect rural beach to spend some quality time with your partner. If you visit the beach in the early morning, you can explore the fisherman hauling in their nets.

At this beach, the sand is golden, and the water is light blue. The sun beautifully reflects in the seawater. The Amaranthe Bay Resort in Trincomalee can be a great place to spend a luxurious vacation near Uppuveli Beach.

• Things to Do & Activities: Beach leisure, snorkeling, and dolphin watching.
• How to Reach: Near Trincomalee, reachable by road or by train to Trincomalee and then a short taxi or tuk-tuk ride.

3. Mirissa

This arrow-shaped beach is the largest fishing port on the south coast of Sri Lanka. Mirissa Beach is situated on the southern tip of the island. From Colombo, it takes almost two hours on the road to reach Mirissa Beach. The beauty of this beach will truly captivate you.

A dense grove of palm trees backs this beautiful beach. Here, you will see a small hill that rises behind the beach. Here, you will observe low surf in the seawater that makes the beach suitable for swimming.

If you are looking for a beach to do some whale watching, Mirissa Beach will be the best choice for you. To observe some whales, you can visit the Missa beach in February and March.

• Things to Do & Activities: Surfing, whale watching, and beach parties.
• How to Reach: Located on the south coast, accessible by road from Galle or by train to Weligama, then a short bus or tuk-tuk ride.

Read also: Complete Travel Guide to Sri Lanka

4. Unawatuna

Unawatuna and its beach area are close to Galle, a charming ancient town with so much to explore. Sri Lanka was once a province of both Portuguese and Holland. Unawatuna is a little seaside town around five kilometers outside of Galle.

Here, you can see a huge coral reef offshore. This curving beach is crowded throughout the year as it is one of the best beaches in Sri Lanka. Also, here you can stay in the luxurious resorts to enjoy your vacation at its best.

• Things to Do & Activities: Snorkeling, scuba diving, and exploring the vibrant nightlife.
• How to Reach: Just south of Galle, easily accessible by road or by train to Galle, followed by a short bus or tuk-tuk ride.

5. Nilaveli

It takes almost a 30-minute drive from the city of Trincomalee to reach Nilaveli Beach. It is a wide, sandy beach containing palm trees and fishing boats scattered along the shore. Owing to its small reef, this teeny-tiny island features tranquil beaches and gentle waves.

Despite its size, Nilaveli’s beach attracts both locals and visitors. This beach is safe, as volunteers are on duty. Also, there are numerous small eateries along the beach, most of which specialize in seafood. When you come to this beach, make sure to visit the Trincomalee area for sightseeing.

• Things to Do & Activities: Relaxing on the beach, boat trips to Pigeon Island, and water sports.
• How to Reach: North of Trincomalee, reachable by road or train to Trincomalee, then a taxi or tuk-tuk.

6. Bentota

Bentota Beach is a long stretch of golden sand near the mouth of the Bentota Ganga. This beautiful beach offers a wide selection of water sports and activities on the sea and lagoon. Multiple resorts have taken up the greatest stretches of coastline on the peninsula.

Also, the cheap resorts on the riverside in Aluthgama offer boat rides across the inlet. It allows the visitors to enjoy the same gorgeous sands on a tighter budget.

• Things to Do & Activities: Water skiing, windsurfing, and boat tours on the Bentota River.
• How to Reach: Located on the southwest coast, accessible by road or by train to the Bentota railway station.

7. Manalkadu

On the northern coast of the Jaffna Peninsula, a few footsteps mark the outstanding beach of Manalkadu. It’s a remote area, and only true travelers and visionaries come to this place.

People who make it up here will get rewarded with the incredible views of Manalkadu Beach, a golden swath of immaculate sand that stretches as far as the eye can reach in both directions. Here, you can observe palm palms, and a few fishing boats, and no vendors or services can be found.

• Things to Do & Activities: Enjoy the secluded beaches and explore the nearby sand dunes.
• How to Reach: In the Jaffna peninsula, best reached by road from Jaffna.

8. Medaketiya

This beach is also one of the best beaches in Sri Lanka. Medaketiya Beach is a long sandy beach that is lined with budget-friendly guesthouses. Also, here you will find some cafes for refreshments.

Medaketiya is one of the most developed beaches around the town. Here, you can spend time on the golden sand. But the sea is not that safe for swimming on this beach. The dumping waves may be risky for swimming.

• Things to Do & Activities: Sunbathing, swimming, and local cuisine.
• How to Reach: Located near Tangalle in the south, accessible by road or by bus from major cities.

9. Mount Lavinia

Mount Lavinia is the nearest beach to Colombo. The beautiful, narrow beach is about 15 minutes by rail from the capital (Fort). However, it doesn’t have the same postcard-perfect charm as Mirissa. But it will be the best destination if you want some sand and sunshine while vacationing in the city.

Here, you will see a variety of outstanding, low-cost seafood eateries right on the shore. Sunsets in this part of the world are quite stunning. If possible, skip weekends when the beach gets particularly busy, and be aware of the possibility of an undertow in the sea.

• Things to Do & Activities: Beach dining, nightlife, and colonial heritage exploration.
• How to Reach: A suburb of Colombo, easily accessible by road, bus, or train from Colombo city center.

10. Hikkaduwa

Hikkaduwa has engraved its name in the list of best beaches of Sri Lanka. This beach is the icon of the west coast of Sri Lanka. Since 1970, Hikkaduwa Beach has been an important place on the tourist map of Sri Lanka.

However, the shine of this beach has diminished a little over time. Still, the popularity has not diminished yet. The serene beauty of this beach will attract you again and again towards this beach. People who love fun and heritage will surely love this beach.

• Things to Do & Activities: Surfing, snorkeling, and exploring coral sanctuaries.
• How to Reach: On the southwest coast, accessible by road or by train from Colombo.

Conclusion

Hopefully, the information mentioned above will help you to recognize the best beaches in Sri Lanka. All of these beaches provide the best vacation experience. Besides enjoying the beautiful beaches, here you can spend luxurious days in the beautiful resorts as well. So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and come to Sri Lanka to encounter the best beaches in this country.