The 5 best beach destinations in Sri Lanka.

When the whole world gives you pain and stress, A blissful breezy beach will be a pain killer or rather a mediator! Ceylon is well known for its beautiful beaches with cerulean waters and golden sand. Therefore, during the tourism season, all the beaches get crowded with tourists from all around the world. To have the best days at Sri Lankan beaches, the months from January to April are the best. Then there exists a favorable atmosphere to do all the water sports you expect to do in the sea. The days are sunny, and you will be comfortable with the climate.

There are nearly 20 to 23 beaches around Sri Lanka. They are all overwhelmed by natural beauty. So, let’s have a look at the best 5 beach destinations in Sri Lanka.

1. Hiriketiya

Hiriketiya is located on the southern coast of Sri Lanka around 180 km from Colombo. Most tourists use tuk-tuk to get there, from their lodges. Hiriketiya is a place where a jungle meets a beach. So, it creates marvelous scenery enough to keep watching till dawn to dusk. The local cafes serve cocktails in jars by the water’s edge, which refreshes the trippers.

Hiriketiya is dangerously calm and is exceptionally free from noise and other chaos. This will be the perfect place to feel a real freedom in the lap of nature. Because of this exact reason, Hiriketiya is notable for yoga. Dots Bay House or Jasper House offers daily yoga classes. It is way low in cost and high in satisfaction!

It’s not all about relaxing. Hiriketiya is a paradise for surfers. There are mild lovely waves that buck up a newbie and the surging waves that create a pro or rather sharpen the skills of a trainee surfer. No matter how far you know about surfing, Hiriketiya beach will source you to be a master in surfing! The glimpse of troops of surfers cheering and encouraging the newbies is a very usual scenery at Hiriketiya proving that its wave range is at its best. Though the location facilitates enough for surfing, the risk is on your own. So, it is always recommended to respect the locals and follow etiquette.

Why not have a look at hotels and resorts around Hiriketiya.

1. Helena Holiday Cottage.
2. Dots Bay House.
3. Sea Vision Tree House.
4. Haven Hiriketiya.
5. Tharurashmi sea pond villa.
6. Dickwella resort & spa.
7. Hiriketiya beach resort.

The above list contains only a handful number of hotels and resorts around Hiriketiya. All the guest houses, resorts, and spas are located in beautiful natural surroundings and available at favorable budgets.

Apart from these, some restaurants serve the real taste of Sri Lankans! If You’ll find your favorite favors around the beach. Hot and spicy local snacks make your mouth water. Roti hut and Garlic café are two such spots that you should never miss if you visit Hiriketiya.

If you are a bird of passage, Hiriketiya is one of the beaches in Sri Lanka that you dare to miss. Have a ride here and enjoy it while you are there!

2. Bentota

Bentota sits on the West coast, and it lies halfway through the most popular destinations, Colombo and Galle. So, it’s no doubt that anyone who visits Sri Lanka will never miss feeling the breezy fragrance of Bentota beach. Bentota is a coastal resort town that possesses all the best facilities like resort accommodation, meditation and spa centers, and restaurants.

You can either sit and stare at the elegance or you can have some fun since you are on the most entertaining sandy beach! There are plenty of things to do around Bentota beach. Sailing, parasailing, windsurfing, jet skiing, diving, and snorkeling are the water sports you can engage in. You can do all of these in the daylight under the dazzling beachy sun and enjoy sundown while resting by the seashore. The nights are always young here! Every night is a crisp celebration! This is a “must visit” beach, I swear.

Now we shall have a look at the accommodation around Bentota beach. There are sufficient resorts and hotels with charming and delightful glimpses of the sea. They are all splendid yet available for all sorts of budgets.

1. EKHO Surf.
2. Centara Ceysands Resort & Spa Sri Lanka.
3. Bentota No 1.
4. Avani Bentota Resort.
5. Ayu’s Guest.

The above list consists of only 5 out of 45- 50 restaurants and guest houses around Bentota beach. Facilities like fitness centers, outdoor pools, free Wi-Fi, and the fresh natural view are exclusively for you!

Meals are something very special. No matter what kind of food you love, traditional local food and beverages and international food are available in these restaurants. The fresh catch from the sea is a hit here. You have plenty of dining venues apart from guest houses.

Come and experience the warmest hospitality of locals. Enjoy the golden sandy beach and bluish frisky waves! Bentota is always at its best!

3. Arugam Bay

Arugam Bay hosts the pride of the Southeast coast of Sri Lanka. This is one of the best tourist destinations in Sri Lanka. It is a place that keeps calm hiding thousands of untold stories of war. Therefore, Arugam Bay has a historical background worth digging in and a natural beauty to feel throughout. So, these things have created a distinctive troop of fans who love the charming elegance of this palm-fringed beach.

The waves here are known to be the best waves for surfing next to the waves of Bentota. Therefore, Arugam Bay is a paradise for surfing. Challenging swells at Arugam Bay energize proficient surfers. Whisky point and Pottuvil point are the most famous spots among the top surfers. Because it is thrilling to face large waves that suddenly come over. Crocodile Rock and Main point are satisfactory spots for intermediate surfers. Surfing brings you a lot of fun; fun made of ultimate amusement. If you ever plan to come here, make sure you have a surfboard with you.

You will never get bored when you are on the beach, but still, there is Elephant Rock point, Pottuvil Lagoon, and Muhudu Maha Vihara for sightseeing around the beach.

It is very important to check on the accommodation facilities at Arugam Bay. There are some restaurants and guest houses around the beach. You can select one per your budget and the facilities you long for.

1. Surf & yoga Arugam Bay.
2. Oasis Bay.
3. Arne’s Place.
4. Green Ocean Bay.
5. Beach Wave Hotel.

Seasonal discounts, seasonal local food items, and international meals you prefer will await you.

Make sure to visit Arugam Bay and collect memories on the beautiful Sri Lankan East coast!

4. Mirissa Beach.

Lively sandy Mirissa beach is guarded by a row of palm trees. This lies on the South Coast of Sri Lanka. Mirissa beach is another wonderful beach tourism destination that is very popular among tourists all over the world.

An aquaphile will find Mirissa Sea as heaven. Because the waves facilitate both swimming and surfing. At Mirissa, animal lovers probably fall for “Whale-watching”. Boat trips are taking turns to take visitors close to the shoreline to watch whales. It brings mental satisfaction. So, many of the tourists who made it here during the season from December to April never miss saying “Hi” to the whales at Mirissa.

Sanovin Hotel, Hostel First Mirissa, Amara Guest, and Edelweiss Hotel are some high-rated hotels and guest houses. You will be facilitated with internet facilities, local and international meals, and even finding a pet-friendly lodge is also not difficult around Mirissa beach.

Although you find the best place to stay, you won’t have time to stay indoors! Because Mirissa beach is sporty in the daytime, and it is partying at night. Lovely candlelit dinners, cocktails from a vivid range of flavors, seafood joints that offer you fresh catches, night walks, and clubbing keep the nights awaken. Not only in the nighttime but also the daytime, the food cabins and bars are open. Simply put, there’s no difference between day and night when you are at Mirissa. Make sure you enjoy every second.

If a visit to Sri Lanka is on your wish list, make Mirissa Beach your first destination and get inspired to travel all around Sri Lanka!

5. Uppuveli Beach.

The beauty of the East Coast! You will be amused by her emerald sea water and long golden beach. It is so peaceful and calm, enough to keep yourself at rest. Therefore, Uppuveli is another popular destination for tourists. Between February and August is the best time to visit Uppuveli.

Waves are not so sturdy. So surfing is not much entertaining here. But there are various other kinds of fun activities that you can engage in. Snorkeling is very much supported by the flat waves. Water-Skiing and waterboarding are regular things that foreigners do on Uppuvelli beach. Swimming in the warm and salty sea water is always refreshing. You will be sun-kissed and the mild honey-colored patches would grant you an award of “The globetrotter”!

Whale watching is also very popular here. You can take a boat and have a look around the coastal line to see whales. The best season to watch whales is May to September or October. Some tourists come for this exact desire of watching whales.

Evenings give a rustic vibe with the drowning sun. You can have small chats at fancy beach bars while sipping your favorite smoothie or coffee!. Caffe on the 18th, Gomes’z Pasta Hut, Trinco Restaurant, Fernando’s bar and Be Cool Juice are some hot spots at the beach that offer you the best meal bowls. When your mind is craving some delicious porridge, pizza, or even something veggie, Uppuveli has got some exclusive food bars at hand. Foods are available on any budget. Not only at night, but daytime is also a celebration when you are here!

Around the beach, there are many hotels and guest places. Finding a better place with enough facilities is not that difficult. You can find a place to stay, considering your requirements and the budget. Staying with your loving pet is also possible as there are places that accept pets. Have a look through the following places around Uppuveli beach.

1. Trinco blu by Cinnamon.
2. JKAB Beach Resort.
3. Amaranthe Bay Resort & Spa.
4. Lobster Inn.
5. Silaa Cabana.

There are many more places where you can live while you are at Uppuveli.

Don’t dare to miss Uppuveli beach if you made it to Sri Lanka. Come to walk along the sandy beach through the breeze that brings you the smell of fries, juices, and a mixture of local’s warmer welcomes!

A beach destination is always a good suggestion to spend your holidays or small breaks you gift to yourself. The swings of hammocks, thrilling surf on a strong wave or a gloomy escape while swimming, a hot bite of a spicy crab, and festive nights on beaches will make your days unforgettable. Beaches are always lively and chill. Sri Lanka awaits to have you here with the love and warmest welcome!

Featured Image Credit: Marius Dobilas