Sri Lanka Luxury Beach Holidays

Sri Lanka is an ideal beach holiday destination with beautiful sandy beaches stretching almost continuously around its Indian Ocean shores and plenty of warm, tropical sun. The more popular tourist beach destinations are on the west and south-west coast at Negombo and Bentota, although there are lovely beaches and some charming hotels all along the south-west coast. The new Coastal Highway brings the ‘Riviera’ east of Galle and the more deserted and remote beaches of the deep south coast within easier reach.

Sri Lanka is so fascinating that it is worth combining your beach holiday with a nature and wildlife adventure and visits to the cultural sights.

Beach activities
All beaches in Sri Lanka are open to the public allowing for an impromptu game of beach cricket or volleyball with the locals. Life on the seashore means fresh seafood dinners and leisurely walks along the beach, passing by fishermen as they prepare to launch their brightly painted fishing boats into the Indian Ocean. Bentota and Hikkaduwa are the main centres for water sports and there are numerous places to surf. Five species of sea turtles nest on the beaches whilst whales and dolphins roam the seas.

Best time for beaches
The best time to visit the west and south coasts is between December and April for calms seas and sunshine. The Deep South has slightly different weather patterns with calmer seas between August and February, and on the east coast the calmest conditions are from May to July. The sea currents around Sri Lanka can be strong so it is advisable to swim in the hotel pools.

Beaches region by region throughout Sri Lanka

Negombo and West Coast
Negombo has a wide golden sand beach, only 20 minutes from the airport. It is a lively tourist resort and a fishing town with fish markets. Being on the west coast, it benefits from some spectacular sunsets.
Negombo and the West Coast

Wadduwa, Bentota and South West Coast
The beautiful coconut palm lined golden sand of Bentota stretches for miles and is one of the most well-known beaches. It gets more secluded and luxurious the further south you go. There is a water sports centre between the river and the sea. At Wadduwa, long stretches of sand are bordered by coconut groves, small fishing communities, private villas and a few secluded hotels. Induruwa, Ahungalla and Hikkaduwa lie on the sandy coast between Bentota and Galle. Hikkaduwa, positioned by a coral reef, provides scuba diving, snorkelling and water sports - popular with water sports enthusiasts and with busy nightlife.
Wadduwa, Bentota and the South West Coast

Galle and South Coast
On the ‘Galle Riviera’, east of historic Galle, the golden beaches are often narrower and the shallow waters dotted with wooden stilt fishermen. A few miles away is Unuwatuna, said to be one of the top beaches in the world. Thalpe beach is a fashionable stretch of golden sand, lined with exclusive villas and small boutique hotels. In season, sea turtles return to the beaches here to lay their eggs. At Koggala, the vistas spread wide across the ocean. The beach is narrow and dotted with stilt fishermen.
The expansive Weligama Bay has stretches of soft sandy beaches and some sheltered shallow waters for swimming. It is popular for surfing with rolling waves and a fine sand bottom whilst shipwrecks offer diving opportunities offshore. It is possible to stay at Taprobane Island in the bay. Mirissa is the main embarkation point for whale and dolphin watching boat trips (December to April).
In the deep south, around Tangalle, lie deserted beaches that stretch as far as the eye can see. Remote, unspoilt, secluded bays and sheltered coves border lush forests and plantations – this is truly stunning scenery. Swimming and snorkelling are enjoyed in sheltered waters between August and February. Nature lovers will treasure the wild beauty of the beaches that border Bundala and Yala national parks further east.
Galle and the South Coast