Beautiful and Serene Beaches of Sri Lanka

The island of Sri Lanka has a coastline of 1620km. This rich coastline with abundant natural resources supports other important habitats connected with it. Coral reefs, estuaries, lagoons, mangroves, bays, dunes, rocky shores, salt marshes, tidal flats, and beaches are all fed by the shoreline of Sri Lanka.

Those are the plain unromantic facts of geography. Now starts the description of the emerald and gold beaches of Sri Lanka as we see them glinting and shimmering in the Indian Ocean. The western coast and the eastern coast have their seasons as the seas become rough during the monsoon rains. Two monsoon seasons affect the island and should be avoided. The time to visit the west and southwest coast is from September to May. The season for the north and the east from around March to September.

The beaches all around the island have white and honey-colored sand. The warm waters of the Indian Ocean crash on the shore at different paces and forces according to the area. Some beaches have soft lapping waves and other areas have medium-sized waves. There are certain places better for swimming than others and it is best to find out from the locals about the beach before venturing in. Many activities will enhance your holiday to another level. Whale watching, snorkeling among colorful coral reefs, dolphin watching, or just sailing around can be exciting and relaxing at the same time. You can choose the area and the beach to visit by studying them beforehand. Here are some of the main spots around the island that will delight you day and night.

1. Kalpitiya

This is a popular beach holiday destination for those who love kite surfing and dolphin watching. This is located on the east coast of Sri Lanka and is best visited during the season from November to March.

Watching dolphins for the first time is an experience of a lifetime. You feel you are part of the ocean as they swim effortlessly in the warm waters. The best way to do this is by getting on a boat although dolphins can be seen even from the beach. You will see thousands of Spinner Dolphins who constantly breach the water to put on a beautiful display of spinning. They almost seem to know you are watching and playing with you by swimming alongside you. Bottlenose, Spotted, Fraser, Risso, Humpback, and Striped are the other varieties of dolphins that visit Kalpitiya.

If you are lucky, you will also come across pods of whales swimming in the waters here. Other activities include snorkeling and swimming. Deeper in the ocean from the shoreline of Kalpitiya and Alankuda you will find six types of whales. The best time for this is from November to April during their migration period. This is a fabulous and yet humbling experience to be next to these huge mammals of the sea.

2. Negombo, Kalutara, Bentota, Induruwa

These four beaches are located along the western coastal belt of Sri Lanka. As fully developed tourist resorts they offer many activities that can make your beach holiday one for the albums. Some areas of these beach locations can be crowded while others allow you more relaxation and less noise. Water skiing and canoeing are popular just as much as spas and ayurvedic rejuvenation centers. River safaris are also popular with visitors. An added advantage of these locations is that they are easily accessible via public or private transport in a short time.

3. Hikkaduwa

Hikkaduwa beach is a place that can accommodate any type of tourist. There are plush hotels and nightclubs. The budget traveler has a variety of places to choose from. The reason why so many people have been attracted to Hikkaduwa is its natural beauty. This is a beach holiday to remember with authentic Sri Lankan cuisine, international innovative fusion cuisine, and the annual Hikkaduwa Beach Festival. If you are not into snorkeling or diving, then you can still enjoy a ride in a glass-bottomed boat looking at the most awesome aquatic life and colorful corals.

4. Galle and its surrounding areas

Galle is one of the most famous and popular destinations for all tourists. This is a hub of culture, art, cuisine, spices, colonial historical architecture, and most importantly, stunning beaches. There are many hidden gems of attractions to bind you to this venue forever. You will keep coming back year after year, for more. Look out for the Galle Literary Festival as this is an exciting time to be in Galle. The sea is fantastically blue and has a calm feeling about it even amid the constant thrashing of the waves. Deep sea fishing and whale watching are two activities that are on offer in and around Galle.

5. Weligama

Weligama is located on the Southwest coast of Sri Lanka and is the ideal beach for families with children. The sea has soft waves lapping the shoreline during the season from September to March. Beginners who want to learn surfing come here to start. The charm of this place never diminishes as each day brings you more activities to indulge in the shallow seas which can stretch as far as half a kilometer from the shore. Diving and snorkeling are available along the beach. This is where you can see stilt fishing, local lace makers in action, and buy gems and jewelry that are unique. This is one of the safest beaches in Sri Lanka.

6. Mirissa

Mirissa is a vibrant tourist destination with many attractions. It is an ecologically important area for viewing aquatic wildlife. December to March is the time to see turtle hatching. River safaris are well worth the effort as it brings you closer to nature, lots of migratory birds, and numerous water animals. Fishing is also available with local boats near the coral reefs.

7. Tangalle

It is always the season in this fantastic seaside town for many reasons. The main reason being the golden sandy beaches. The next is the pristine blue waters that are perfect for diving and exploring the offshore reefs. Tangalle has many beaches including Goyambokka, Medilla, Marakoliya, Medaketiya and Mawella that are perfect to hang out at. The sea can be rough in certain places and seems to fascinate children. not too child-friendly. And then, there are also places here like rock pools which are ideal for swimming. This area is also known for its sea shells that always

8. Yala

This beach borders the Yala National Park famous for its wildlife. This beach is not a place that many people opt to visit. The beach here is secluded and rather rugged with rocky outcrops that add to the wild and alluring look. The massive waves do not make it a place for swimmers. The attraction of the beach is its private nature without any intrusive buildings or vendors. There is also a chance that you will encounter elephants and other species of wildlife on the beach depending on the time of day. The surrounding landscape is spectacular. The best way to explore this beach is to combine the visit with a safari at the Yala National Park.

9. Arugam Bay

This beach on the east coast of Sri Lanka is known as a surfer’s paradise. The large waves help the surfers to enjoy most areas of the beach for their activities. Arugam Bay has been a popular destination with foreigners for a very long time. This beach resort is known for its laid-back cosmopolitan atmosphere, budget travel options, and quirky collection of restaurants, cabanas, and cafes. Although there are a couple of large hotels, these are the exceptions. Most places are small and have a homely vibe. It is easy to visit the Pottuvil lagoon and the Yala National Park from here. Driving through miles of green paddy fields and its collection of birds and other wildlife such as peacocks, wild boar, sambur, spotted deer and crocodiles is exhilarating.

10. Nilaveli

Located on the northeastern coast of Sri Lanka 16km away from the bustling town of Trincomalee, Nilaveli is a place for relaxation. As the name denotes, these beaches of white sand and crystal clear blue waters cannot be matched. Many activities will interest all age groups. Swimming with turtles and sharks on Pigeon Island is something new. This small islet is one of Sri Lanka’s National Parks and is a 10-minute boat ride from Nilaveli beach. The coral reef is one of the best places for snorkeling. The Marble Beach located 30 minutes away from Nilaveli is perhaps the most beautiful in Sri Lanka.