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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.