The 11 best beaches in Sri Lanka
The beaches in Sri Lanka wax and wane seasonally, particularly on the south-west coast during unsettled monsoon months, when sea currents strengthen and change. Very few beaches have lifeguards, so you must always be vigilant by the water's edge. Endangered marine turtles come ashore throughout the year to nest, and many coastal stretches are wildlife hotspots.
All our recommendations below have been hand-selected and tested by our resident destination expert to help you discover the best beaches in Sri Lanka. Find out more below, or for more Sri Lanka inspiration, see our guides to the best hotels, restaurants, bars and things to do.
West coast
Ventura Beach, Bentota
Bentota is a well-established family-friendly resort town on the west coast, with large hotels (some of which have lifeguard lookouts), soft champagne-coloured sand, blushing sunsets and an adjacent river for windsurfing, jet-skiing and boat rides into mangrove caves. The majority of the restaurants and bars in the area are hotel-based.
Insider tip: Boutique hotel The Villa Bentota by KK Collection is positioned on Bentota's quieter, southern shore.
How to get there: There are trains to Bentota or the nearby Ahangama station.
Sawukku Beach, Alankuda
Northwesterly Kalpitiya is an arid 20-mile-long peninsula flanked by the vast Puttalam Lagoon. Around mid-way up is Alankuda's unspoilt, under-the-radar, fir-fringed Sawukku beach, dotted with low-key eco resorts. In winter, you can swim, snorkel and kayak; in summer, the offshore wind creates the perfect conditions for kite surfing.
Insider tip: Book kayaks, paddleboards and dolphin-watching trips from Bar Reef Resort.
Return to index
South coast
Kabalana Beach
Kabalana is part of the south coast's fast-growing surf scene. Between late November and April, this 500-metre-long sandy bay, backed by guesthouses and boutique hotels (including The Sandhya and Mosvold Villa), attracts surfers to its two main breaks and bodyboarders to its sandy shallows. Sunsets are epic, and there are a variety of restaurants nearby.
Insider tip: Book high-quality surfboards in advance from The Board Shop, a travelling rental company currently based in the neighbouring town Ahanghama.
How to get there: The beach is next to the main Galle-Matara road.
Weligama Beach
Weligama's deep bay is synonymous with southern surfing as the rolling sandy-bottomed breaks are gentle for those looking to learn. Little shacks offering boards for hire and lessons line a strip between the beach and main road, alongside open-air fish markets and catamarans. The water is calmer further west, beyond Taprobane Island.
Insider tip: Take a tuk tuk (five minutes' drive) to secluded Jungle Beach (or Walliwala), a lovely quiet cove for seasonal paddling below the luxury hotel Cape Weligama.
Mawella Beach
Mawella's one-and-a-half-mile-long sandy beach is secreted well away from the busy southern coastal road and has seen mercifully little development. Private villas and small boutique hotels, like The Last House, share this hallowed space with fisherfolk and nesting marine turtles. There are rolling waves (fun for bodyboarding), but you can usually swim year-round.
How to get there: It's five miles from Tangalle, and the closest train station is Beliatta.
Hiriketiya Beach
Hiriketiya's sandy beach curves deeply between two prominent headlands near the southern fishing town of Tangalle, and is a favourite with surf-loving digital nomads. It's a popular (often busy) yet easygoing year-round swimming spot, known for its two surf breaks, profusion of boho-chic coffee shops, vegan cafes, guesthouses and yoga studios.
Insider tip: Watch the surfing action unfold from sunset-facing cocktail bar Raa.
How to get there: Turn off at Dodampahala Junction, between Dickwella and Tangalle.
Dalawella
The translucent lagoon protected by an offshore reef in front of Wijeya Beach restaurant is a rare seasonal swimming spot popular with paddlers, with the bonus of resident green turtles and sunsets silhouetted by 'The Frog Rock'. It's very popular, though the beach slims significantly during the summer months.
Insider tip: Wijeya Beach is an iconic spot for wood-fired pizzas and sundowners.
How to get there: It's less than two miles southeast of Unawatuna.
Return to index.
East coast
Kalkudah Beach
Karpaha Sands is just one of two high-end places to stay along this staggeringly pristine 11-mile beach with swimming on Sri Lanka's quieter east coast, far from the main road, beyond palm and cashew nut plantations. It's pin-drop peaceful and totally secluded.
Insider tip: Watch the daily ritual of 'madella' fishing, where giant nets are cast into the sea every morning and pulled out later by a cooperative of sarong-clad fishermen.
Pasikuda Beach
Powdery blonde sand, azure water and very calm waves make this crescent-shaped east coast beach one of Sri Lanka's finest and best for swimming. Families are drawn to the large resorts lining the bay, including Uga Bay, and the variety of water-focused activities, such as jet skiing, water skiing, banana boating, kayaking, paddleboarding and sunset sailing trips.
Insider tip: Get your snorkelling fix at nearby Kayankerni Marine Sanctuary.
Nilaveli
You can wade out for a good 50 metres through the calm, clear water from the sandy shore of this laid-back north-easterly beach near Trincomalee, where roaming cows are often seen plodding along the sand. In the distance lies the silhouette of snorkelling hotspot Pigeon Island, a protected marine park.
Insider tip: Book whale watching or sunset sails through Sail Lanka Charter.
How to get there: Nilaveli is a 25-minute drive north of Trincomalee.
Arugam Bay
Surfers love rugged 'A Bay' for its peeling right-handers, consistent swell and lively party scene, yet it's still a fishing village at heart – catamarans line the palm-fringed beach while fishermen wrapped in sarongs mend nets under the hot tropical sun. Hostels and guesthouses abound (one standout is Hideaway), and the dining scene is increasingly varied.
Insider tip: Rent boards or organise surf lessons from Mambo's Surf School.
How to get there: It's south of Pottuvil, and the beach runs parallel to the main road.
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How we choose
Every beach in this curated list has been expertly chosen by our destination expert, to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of areas and styles, from popular city beaches to lesser-known corners, to best suit every type of traveller. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest openings and provide up-to-date recommendations.
Back to top
Emma Boyle
A holiday to Sri Lanka turned into an epic 16-year adventure in the country, during which I developed a love for leopard-spotting, coconutty curries and single estate teas.
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Telegraph
9 hours ago
- Telegraph
The 11 best beaches in Sri Lanka
Wild Indian Ocean-washed beaches define Sri Lanka's 830-mile coastline. Southern beaches tend to be livelier and more surf-oriented, backed by vibrant restaurants and bars; meanwhile, the butter-coloured beaches of the less developed central and north-east coasts exude calm. The beaches in Sri Lanka wax and wane seasonally, particularly on the south-west coast during unsettled monsoon months, when sea currents strengthen and change. Very few beaches have lifeguards, so you must always be vigilant by the water's edge. Endangered marine turtles come ashore throughout the year to nest, and many coastal stretches are wildlife hotspots. All our recommendations below have been hand-selected and tested by our resident destination expert to help you discover the best beaches in Sri Lanka. Find out more below, or for more Sri Lanka inspiration, see our guides to the best hotels, restaurants, bars and things to do. West coast Ventura Beach, Bentota Bentota is a well-established family-friendly resort town on the west coast, with large hotels (some of which have lifeguard lookouts), soft champagne-coloured sand, blushing sunsets and an adjacent river for windsurfing, jet-skiing and boat rides into mangrove caves. The majority of the restaurants and bars in the area are hotel-based. Insider tip: Boutique hotel The Villa Bentota by KK Collection is positioned on Bentota's quieter, southern shore. How to get there: There are trains to Bentota or the nearby Ahangama station. Sawukku Beach, Alankuda Northwesterly Kalpitiya is an arid 20-mile-long peninsula flanked by the vast Puttalam Lagoon. Around mid-way up is Alankuda's unspoilt, under-the-radar, fir-fringed Sawukku beach, dotted with low-key eco resorts. In winter, you can swim, snorkel and kayak; in summer, the offshore wind creates the perfect conditions for kite surfing. Insider tip: Book kayaks, paddleboards and dolphin-watching trips from Bar Reef Resort. Return to index South coast Kabalana Beach Kabalana is part of the south coast's fast-growing surf scene. Between late November and April, this 500-metre-long sandy bay, backed by guesthouses and boutique hotels (including The Sandhya and Mosvold Villa), attracts surfers to its two main breaks and bodyboarders to its sandy shallows. Sunsets are epic, and there are a variety of restaurants nearby. Insider tip: Book high-quality surfboards in advance from The Board Shop, a travelling rental company currently based in the neighbouring town Ahanghama. How to get there: The beach is next to the main Galle-Matara road. Weligama Beach Weligama's deep bay is synonymous with southern surfing as the rolling sandy-bottomed breaks are gentle for those looking to learn. Little shacks offering boards for hire and lessons line a strip between the beach and main road, alongside open-air fish markets and catamarans. The water is calmer further west, beyond Taprobane Island. Insider tip: Take a tuk tuk (five minutes' drive) to secluded Jungle Beach (or Walliwala), a lovely quiet cove for seasonal paddling below the luxury hotel Cape Weligama. Mawella Beach Mawella's one-and-a-half-mile-long sandy beach is secreted well away from the busy southern coastal road and has seen mercifully little development. Private villas and small boutique hotels, like The Last House, share this hallowed space with fisherfolk and nesting marine turtles. There are rolling waves (fun for bodyboarding), but you can usually swim year-round. How to get there: It's five miles from Tangalle, and the closest train station is Beliatta. Hiriketiya Beach Hiriketiya's sandy beach curves deeply between two prominent headlands near the southern fishing town of Tangalle, and is a favourite with surf-loving digital nomads. It's a popular (often busy) yet easygoing year-round swimming spot, known for its two surf breaks, profusion of boho-chic coffee shops, vegan cafes, guesthouses and yoga studios. Insider tip: Watch the surfing action unfold from sunset-facing cocktail bar Raa. How to get there: Turn off at Dodampahala Junction, between Dickwella and Tangalle. Dalawella The translucent lagoon protected by an offshore reef in front of Wijeya Beach restaurant is a rare seasonal swimming spot popular with paddlers, with the bonus of resident green turtles and sunsets silhouetted by 'The Frog Rock'. It's very popular, though the beach slims significantly during the summer months. Insider tip: Wijeya Beach is an iconic spot for wood-fired pizzas and sundowners. How to get there: It's less than two miles southeast of Unawatuna. Return to index. East coast Kalkudah Beach Karpaha Sands is just one of two high-end places to stay along this staggeringly pristine 11-mile beach with swimming on Sri Lanka's quieter east coast, far from the main road, beyond palm and cashew nut plantations. It's pin-drop peaceful and totally secluded. Insider tip: Watch the daily ritual of 'madella' fishing, where giant nets are cast into the sea every morning and pulled out later by a cooperative of sarong-clad fishermen. Pasikuda Beach Powdery blonde sand, azure water and very calm waves make this crescent-shaped east coast beach one of Sri Lanka's finest and best for swimming. Families are drawn to the large resorts lining the bay, including Uga Bay, and the variety of water-focused activities, such as jet skiing, water skiing, banana boating, kayaking, paddleboarding and sunset sailing trips. Insider tip: Get your snorkelling fix at nearby Kayankerni Marine Sanctuary. Nilaveli You can wade out for a good 50 metres through the calm, clear water from the sandy shore of this laid-back north-easterly beach near Trincomalee, where roaming cows are often seen plodding along the sand. In the distance lies the silhouette of snorkelling hotspot Pigeon Island, a protected marine park. Insider tip: Book whale watching or sunset sails through Sail Lanka Charter. How to get there: Nilaveli is a 25-minute drive north of Trincomalee. Arugam Bay Surfers love rugged 'A Bay' for its peeling right-handers, consistent swell and lively party scene, yet it's still a fishing village at heart – catamarans line the palm-fringed beach while fishermen wrapped in sarongs mend nets under the hot tropical sun. Hostels and guesthouses abound (one standout is Hideaway), and the dining scene is increasingly varied. Insider tip: Rent boards or organise surf lessons from Mambo's Surf School. How to get there: It's south of Pottuvil, and the beach runs parallel to the main road. Return to index How we choose Every beach in this curated list has been expertly chosen by our destination expert, to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of areas and styles, from popular city beaches to lesser-known corners, to best suit every type of traveller. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest openings and provide up-to-date recommendations. Back to top Emma Boyle A holiday to Sri Lanka turned into an epic 16-year adventure in the country, during which I developed a love for leopard-spotting, coconutty curries and single estate teas.
Daily Mail
13 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Horrifying moment Kraken star John Hayden and team mascot are charged at by a bear while filming skit
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Daily Mirror
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Inside the quirky British village where Liam Gallagher and Tom Cruise have been spotted
The village in Derbyshire has a stunning backdrop of towering limestone cliffs that has recently seen some impressive celeb sightings Stoney Middleton, one of the most dramatic villages in the Peak District, nestled amid jutting limestone cliffs, has previously been immortalised on film. In 2021, Tom Cruise filmed epic scenes for the movie Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One. The action star filmed along the cliffs and quarries of this Derbyshire dale, even visiting the village's quirky food hotspots with his cast and crew. Not only did Tom Cruise pay a visit, but the village has also welcomed Oasis star Liam Gallagher on his holidays. Liam popped into one of Stoney Middleton's famous food hotspots — the village chippy, housed in a Grade-II listed former toll house. Situated in the Middleton Dale valley around 13 miles from Buxton, Stoney Middleton is a village that was almost carved out from the dramatic scenery surrounding it. 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The incident is said to have freed her of her longing for the fellow, and she survived another two years until December 1764. The incident inspired the name of the cliffs and the pub hewn into the side of them which was previously known as The Lovers Leap, marked with a plaque on the building. But more recently it has been acquired to become the Curry Cottage restaurant which boasts a peculiar geological secret.... The restaurant where you can dine in a cave Indeed, at the Curry Cottage you can actually eat inside a cave. Owners of the Indian restaurant gave a stylish contemporary transformation to the former pub (which had more recently been a greasy spoon style café) to become the Curry Cottage seven years ago. And they've now highlighted the restaurant's hidden treasure: a private dining room that's actually hewn into a cave inside the property. Manager Nadeem Khan has fitted atmospheric lighting over the cave wall and says the cave room is one of the most sought-after spots for diners having a special night out there. But diners should be aware that when it rains, water continues to drip down the cave walls. Nadeem said: "Depending on where you sit and the weather you might get a little bit of spray, but it all adds to the atmosphere. Everyone loves to come and look at the cave. There's not many restaurants that have a room like this inside." The Curry Cottage is open six days a week from 5pm Tuesday to Sunday. When Tom Cruise came to town Hollywood legend and action hero Tom Cruise left locals gobsmacked when he arrived to shoot dramatic sequences for the Mission Impossible 7 film in Stoney Middleton. A production team commandeered an enormous site at the Dalton Quarry in April 2021 to construct a mock railway that witnessed a train carriage hurtle off the cliff edge. Tom was seen filming from a helicopter above the precipice for what appear destined to be spectacular sequences in the newest chapter of the blockbuster franchise. And it seems Tom savoured numerous local delicacies during his stay in Stoney Middleton. According to Nadeem from the Curry Cottage, the star ordered a selection of curries for himself and his team whilst in the village - and he mentioned he'd also heard Tom had grabbed takeaways from the area's renowned fish and chip shop as well. The Grade-II listed chippy Stoney Middleton can claim one of Britain's extremely rare Grade II listed fish and chip establishments. Toll Bar Fish and Chips sits on the village's main thoroughfare and has been dishing out battered delicacies since 1926. The chippy operates from within the village's historic Toll House - originally constructed to levy charges on travellers using this principal route during the 1800s. Its eight-sided structure was designed to mirror the distinctive form of the local church. However, by 1926 Herbert Ford had bought the premises to establish the village chippy, before Eleanor Hall took control in 1940, managing the business for approximately 30 years until her retirement. The establishment has continued as a fish and chip shop ever since, now operated by Dr Peter Grafton and his wife Kirsten from 2018. They offer classic fish, chips, sausages, pudding and pies, alongside "Yorkshire fishcakes" which combine layers of potato and fish, plus daily rotating specials featuring halloumi fries, black pudding and haggis. The premises enjoys an ideal location next to Grove Garden, where a crystal-clear babbling brook flows directly beneath the Toll Bar, providing the perfect spot to enjoy your freshly prepared chips on bright days. Several commemorative plaques adorn the entrance, displaying past awards the establishment has earned, including recognition from the Telegraph "Best Eating Guide" featuring the testimonial: "This tiny stone cottage always has queues out of the door as it sells the best fish and chips, not cooked in dripping. The drive to get here is lovely too." The Toll Bar Fish and Chip shop operates Wednesday through Saturday exclusively, from 11.30am until 8pm. Pubs and walks The village's appeal as a stopping point through the centuries saw numerous pubs emerge over the last 200 years. However, just one survives today — The Moon Inn — which relocated from its original site when it operated as The Old Moon Inn. It features contemporary décor and serves a complete selection of traditional fare. The establishment sits at the foot of High Street which climbs steeply towards the village summit, earning it recognition as the "steepest high street in the country". On the opposite side, walkers form a steady stream ascending the hillside via a footpath that continues across to Eyam. This ranks among Derbyshire's most renowned settlements, notorious for its heartbreaking history as the "Plague Village" where 206 inhabitants died from bubonic plague in 1665. Memorials throughout the community honour the deceased, alongside a heritage centre documenting this devastating chapter in local history. For thrill-seekers, the rocky faces in this region provide excellent opportunities for climbing. The limestone outcrop represents one of the Peak District's most significant geological sites and has attracted climbers for generations. How to get there Stoney Middleton lies on the A623 linking Buxton and Chatsworth in Derbyshire, approximately 35 miles from Manchester city centre. The closest railway stations are located at Hathersage or Grindleford, offering frequent services to and from Manchester Piccadilly with a journey time of approximately 45 minutes. Bus services such as the 257 provide connections between Hathersage, Grindleford and Stoney Middleton.
