Ensconced in the waters of the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is endowed with over thousand miles of golden beaches and is simply paradise for those looking to spend an idyllic holiday surrounded by palm fringed smooth sands and clear azure waters.
With some beaches on the tropical island ranked as some of the best in the world, Sri Lanka’s beaches have something to offer everyone with its pristine beaches, diverse marine wildlife and many opportunities for a variety of water sports.
High season for the beaches of the South and West is from November to April. Close to the airport and North of Colombo are the beaches of Hendala, Negombo and Waikkal. South of Colombo hosts many fine resorts which stretch from along the Southern coast from Wadduwa to Hambantota, with all the coastal towns providing excellent beaches, calm surf protected by quiet bays, coral, tropical fish and plenty of sunshine all year around.
The Eastern and Northern coast beaches stretches north in a gentle arc from Arugam Bay to Kuchchaveli and is home to fine beaches, typically wide stretches of sand and what seems like miles of clear shallow water, bays and coves, deep natural harbours, still lagoons and underwater coral gardens. The best ones are those of Nilaveli, Kuchchaveli, Marble Bay and Dead Man’s Cove, with its magnificent harbour, north of Trincomalee. Further down the Eastern belt are the peaceful beaches of Passekudah, Kalkudah and the surfing hotspot Arugam Bay.
The beaches are literally an aquatic playground and include sports such as snorkelling, windsurfing, angling and sailing as well as swimming, diving, sunbathing or merely relaxing by the waters, watching a magnificent sunset.