Contact UsThe 10 Most Breathtaking Beaches in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is an island country in the Indian Ocean that boasts of beautiful sandy beaches and other coastal attractions. This gorgeous place has more than 1,300 kilometers of coastline, and offers gorgeous beaches in Sri Lanka for various types of tourists from the most active to the most leisurely. The island has great scenic views, cultural values and friendly people, making it a perfect destination for a vacation.
If you are a sun, sand and sea lover or an adventurer or a traveler by passion, the best of Sri Lanka beaches are sure to give you a sense of delight. Imagine yourself lying on the warm sand of the tropical beaches with palm trees around you and the sound of the sea in your ears. Every beach is unique and beautiful, offering a view on the tropical nature of Sri Lanka and various water activities, sunbathing and sightseeing. From electric nightlife to quiet and secluded places, there is something for everyone.
It is always a joy to plan for a Sri Lanka tour, even more so when you add on the beautiful beaches to the itinerary. The Srilanka Tour packages also include the best of the coastal regions of this beautiful island, so that you can have the best of Sri Lanka. In this blog, I am going to list down the ten most beautiful beaches in Sri Lanka and how one can expect to get the best of moments in these beautiful parts of the world.
Here is the 10 Most Breathtaking Beaches in Sri Lanka
1. Unawatuna Beach
Unawatuna Beach is a true tropical gem situated several kilometers away from Galle. This beach is in the form of a crescent moon with the most aqua blue water that is ideal for swimming and snorkeling. The corals here are rich in marine life and this offers the best spot for snorkelling or scuba diving. At the seaside there is a great activity with numerous cafes, bars, restaurants, and shops lined up along the shore. For the tourists who want to take a break, the beach is also famous for its beautiful sunsets that one can watch while taking a walk.
Why Visit: Unawatuna is a perfect place for night life and beach lovers as the beach is calm and adventure activities are found nearby. Some of the things that tourists who take Sri Lanka tour packages that include Unawatuna do are snorkeling and visiting Galle Fort.
2. Mirissa Beach
Mirissa Beach is another beautiful site on the southern coast and famous for its beautiful view and active beach culture. This is a small beach in the form of a semicircle, which is very popular among tourists because of the absence of waves, which makes it possible to swim and tan. Mirissa is also one of the best places to go whale watching in the world especially during the period between November and April. The beach is relaxed, with numerous small restaurants and bars to grab a cup of coffee, and seafood and tropical beverages.
Why Visit: Besides the beautiful scenery, Mirissa is a wonderful destination for water activities such as surfing, snorkeling. Including this beach in your Sri Lanka tour will mean that you get both the time to relax and also have some of the most exciting moment.
3. Bentota Beach
Bentota Beach is famous for the golden sandy beach and high end accommodation facilities. It has water sports facilities for water skiing, banana boat riding, and wind surfing; thus, it is one of the best beaches in Sri Lanka for the adventurous. The Bentota River which has its outlet to the sea provides more scope for boat cruises and fishing. Featuring a line of luxurious hotels and sea side restaurants Bentota is ideal for family and comfortable and entertaining tours.
Why Visit: It is common to find that when planning a Sri Lanka tour that includes Bentota, there are many activities that are geared towards families, visits to nearby temples or nature walks around the Bentota River.
4. Hikkaduwa Beach
Hikkaduwa Beach is popular for the young people and beautiful coral reef. It is a world heritage site famous for the colorful marine life. There are good opportunities for snorkeling and scuba diving because the coral gardens are easily accessible here. There is also several surf schools located on the beach which is perfect for those who would like to learn how to surf. During the night time, there are the beach parties and live music after a day of sun tanning.
Why Visit: Staying in Hikkaduwa will be an exciting and entertaining experience when you are in Sri Lanka. There are numerous stores and restaurants by the beach so if you want to taste local food or buy some souvenirs, it’s the right place.
5. Nilaveli Beach
Nilaveli Beach is situated on the eastern coast and it is famous for its quiet and clean sandy beach. This beach is not like the typical tourist beaches where there are numerous hotels and restaurants surrounding the beach. The water is very clear making it perfect for swimming and snorkeling and this can be done around Pigeon Island where you may experience the marine life.
Why Visit: Nilaveli is a very quiet place and hence is ideal for that kind of vacation. This is one of the best things to do in Sri Lanka and should be included in any Sri Lanka tour package for those interested in nature and those seeking to avoid the crowds.
6. Trincomalee Beach
The above mentioned are not the only attractions of Trincomalee, but it boasts of a cultural heritage. The area has many important historical landmarks such as Koneswaram Temple and Fort Frederick. The beaches here are Uppuveli and Nilaveli, these beaches have a good feel with fine sand and clear water; ideal for swimming. Trincomalee is a special destination because of the outstanding scenic and historical values of the area.
Why Visit: When on your Sri Lanka tour, you will be able to relax on the beach as well as engage in cultural tourism by visiting Trincomalee. You are guaranteed of an improved travelling experience by the area’s history and beautiful scenes.
7. Tangalle Beach
Tangalle Beach is particularly well known for being virgin and very quiet. This beach has palm lined shores and clear water which makes it ideal for family and those seeking a quite vacation. The region is blessed with wildlife that one can engage in nature walks and visit other nearby national parks.
Why Visit: The area is relatively isolated and that is why Tangalle is considered one of the best beaches to relax in Sri Lanka. Tangalle is a good destination for travelers who would like to have a closer look at the nature of Sri Lanka.
8. Weligama Beach
Weligama Beach is popular with surfers as it offers quality waves and there are surfing schools as well. The beach is laid back and one can surf or swim in the waters here. There are also boat tours to visit the fishing villages around which are interesting to learn more about the people and their way of life.
Why Visit: Weligama is ideal for people who want to get to know the basics of surfing or just spend time on the coast. It is an added advantage to your Sri Lanka tour package because of its lively culture and welcoming people.
9. Pasikuda Beach
Pasikuda Beach is famous for its shallow water and the absence of big waves that will make it ideal for families. Soft sand and natural beauty of the site makes the beach a perfect place for leisure and recreation. There are opportunities to go snorkeling and kayaking which are a nice touch of excitement in an otherwise serene destination.
Why Visit: This is one of the best beaches in Sri Lanka and would always feature in any itinerary no matter the duration of your tour, more so for families with children. It is a beautiful place to stop and enjoy the waters and the surrounding scenery because its waters are safe.
10. Kalutara Beach
Kalutara beach is famous for its sandy coast and beautiful sea view especially the Indian Ocean. The beach is not as touristy, and people can get to relax without being disturbed. There is also a traditional Sri Lankan market near the town where one can get to taste the local foods. Kalutara is a historic town, and tourist attractions include the Kalutara Bodhiya which is a sacred Bo-Tree.
Why Visit: This is because in addition to sun bathing and swimming in the beach, other cultural attractions have been added to make your tour of Sri Lanka even more interesting. It is quite possible to get a really cultural experience while being able to appreciate the natural environment of a beach.
Conclusion
Sri Lanka is a paradise for beach lovers who can find a place that meets their interest in the island. Beaches starting from Unawatuna, which is full of life to Nilaveli which is very calm and peaceful, every beach have its own beauty. Whether you want to have fun and experience an adrenaline rush on water, if you are looking for a calm and quiet vacation in the beautiful environment, or if you want to get acquainted with the culture and history of this island state, then the best beaches of Sri Lanka are perfect for that.
In the next Sri Lanka tour, it is wise to make inclusion of these beautiful coastal regions into the tour plan. Most Sri Lanka tour packages contain these beautiful beaches where you can enjoy the nature and culture of Sri Lanka. Well, it is time to set your luggage, put on your sun screen and be prepared to make some memorable moments on the beautiful sandy beaches of Sri Lanka. Find out what the ideal beach vacation for you looks like!
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