Sri Lanka: description of beaches with photos. A brief overview of the beach resorts of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is a luxurious place with white sand, amazingly clear water, tall tropical palm trees and stunning scenery. Tourists come here to enjoy a wonderful beach holiday. The island has a mild climate that does not change throughout the year. The average temperature is +27 degrees.
Sri Lanka: photos of the beaches of the northeast coast
Along this part of the island stretches a coastline with numerous lagoons, pristine wild nature and beaches:
- (Nilaveli). Until 2004, it was very popular among tourists, but as a result of the tsunami, Nilaveli lost its former glory. Despite this, guests still come here and stay in coastal hotels. The main attraction is the uninhabited and small Pigeon Island, which has the status of a national park. To visit the island, you need to pay. The coast of the island is snow-white, coral sand, crystal clear water, the entrance to the water is shallow.
- (Uppuveli). Uppuveli is a resort village with a surprisingly long sandy coastline, which offers fantastic views of the sunrises. The sea off the coast is calm in any season. The coastline is literally indented with small bays. There is a national park here with an exotic underwater world, so divers are frequent visitors. There are not as many tourists as on other beaches.
- (Kalkudah). Kalkuda is the most famous beach in Sri Lanka. It was located very well. The calm and quiet bay is sheltered from the stormy waters of the Indian Ocean by a coral reef, so it is comfortable to swim all year round. The water in the lagoon is clean and warm. The beach is covered with coarse yellow sand and is surrounded by beautiful coconut palms. Tourists are provided with umbrellas and sunbeds, and there is a cafe on site.
- (Passikudah). This beach has been undeservedly forgotten. Pasikuda is ideal for a summer holiday from May to October. It attracts tourists with its beauty and endless coconut palms. A heavenly place for a heavenly holiday. Sand with a golden tint and azure water are very popular among newlyweds. This is a great place for solitude and inspiration. Unfortunately, the infrastructure here is poorly developed. But local residents are always happy to have a vacation; they give you a warm welcome.
- Arugam Bay(Arugam Bay). This beach is an iconic surf resort on the island. All the necessary infrastructure is presented here. The main guests are young people, professionals and surfing enthusiasts, romantics who do not care about comfort. Tourists prefer to stay in cozy bungalows or bamboo huts.
Sri Lanka: photos of the beaches of the west coast
Most guests and tourists prefer to visit the beaches of the west coast due to easy accessibility (close distance to the international airport):
Sri Lanka: photos of the beaches of the southern coast
Almost all the beaches of the southern coast are equipped for the recreation of foreign guests, so there are quite a lot of tourists here:
- in the northern part of Medaketiya and Medilla;
- in the western part of Pallikaduwa and Goyambokka.
Features of the beaches of Sri Lanka
The southeastern territory of Sri Lanka is washed by the Indian Ocean and is quite different from European seaside resorts.
The best beaches without waves
Waves will almost always be present here, regardless of the time of year. The period when there are fewer waves is from October to March.
Least likely to occur waves at the following resorts:
The best beaches for a winter holiday
Holidays in Sri Lanka are divided into periods - summer and winter. Some resorts are better suited for winter holidays (from October to April), others - in summer (from April to October).
Places for winter recreation:
- Bentota;
- Unawatuna and others.
Sri Lanka is the best resort and an extraordinary island, upon visiting which every tourist will discover something new and interesting for themselves. On the local beaches you can leisurely enjoy a charming holiday and a special atmosphere.
It’s amazing how nature can be favorable to one country and create 130 km of coastline, with unique and very beautiful beaches. Sri Lanka is known throughout the world as the pearl of the Indian Ocean, with ever-green tropical vegetation, mangroves, palm plantations, and ideal bounty beaches. The beaches of the island are worthy of a rating of 5 out of 5 according to all criteria. For lovers of beautiful photos, this is simply paradise on earth, where you can take hundreds and thousands of gorgeous photos, and choose a different landscape each time. We will try to choose for you the five best from all the many amazingly beautiful beaches, gradually moving away from the international airport.
Bentota
The famous beach, with a beautiful coastal area, snow-white sand, covered with greenery along the entire coast. Bentota is famous for its developed infrastructure and expensive hotels. It is here that vacationers will find the most luxurious hotels in all of Sri Lanka, where the price will correspond to the service and quality. The most popular hotel (Bentota Beach) is a 4-star hotel with a beautiful view of the ocean or river. By the way, the ocean is not the only water entertainment here; there is also a river. The Bentota River is famous for its boat safaris along the banks covered with mangroves and a huge number of small islands with colorful birds and wild animals.
Bentota Beach is not protected from the ocean by either corals or rocks, so it is not calm and is not intended for simple swimming. But people really like that they love waves, ride, jump and ride them to the very shallow waters.
Thickets of the Bentota River
The resort is popular among newlyweds, so it strives to create maximum comfort and privacy. There are many cafes and restaurants that will offer you a huge selection of international or local cuisine; you always have a choice of where to go and where to relax.
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Attention all fans of extreme sports and club parties. Sri Lanka has created especially for you. There are 10 km of golden sand and an incomparably beautiful beach. However, the ocean here is a real element, it is terrible, the waves are huge, with low-frequency, endless noise.
And this is in “” from December to April, and from May to November it is not allowed to go into the ocean, you can only swim in the pool. Therefore, the resort is a banner among surfers. Every day they sit on their boards in the sea, waiting for a “good wave.”
Accommodation in Hikkaduwa can be found to suit any budget and for any need. Here you can find a shack for 5 dollars a day, but you may not even invest 200. (Read all about hotels in this town). The only thing I’ll add is that the most famous hotel in Hikkaduwa is. Very high quality service and gorgeous area.
The city itself is spread out along the Galle Road, and is dotted with souvenir shops, tents with clothes made from natural cotton, wicker hats, fruit stalls, and shops with everything you need for everyday life. A huge number of restaurants and cafes, competing in prices and portion sizes, with always fresh seafood, vegetables and fruits.
Beach in Unawatuna.
If you need a beach for swimming, with warm water, without waves and undercurrents, then this is perfect. This is a coral bay, reliably protected from the aggressive ocean, and there are no currents here. The beach is good for families with children; in addition to the opportunity to swim in the sea water, it has very good infrastructure. A significant number of cafes and restaurants, right on the shore and overlooking the ocean, offer a wide range of dishes, cheap fresh juices, fresh fruits, and various delicacies. In addition, there is also a visit to which, although it is difficult, because it is quite troublesome to get to it, however, photographs from this beach will outshine any others taken in Una.
There are no problems with housing in Unawatuna. There are many hotels on the shore at a variety of prices, and for a completely budget holiday, we go across the road and choose any guest house of our choice. Even for 10 dollars a night, you can live well in a guest house, with your own garden, palm trees and chipmunks.
Mirissa.
According to many tourists and most locals along the entire coast of Sri Lanka. Banuti beach, with lush greenery, mangrove bushes, palm trees that bend over the azure water of the Indian Ocean. This is an indescribable beauty, no matter how much you photograph, but until you see it with your eyes, you won’t believe it.
The ocean in the bay itself cannot be called calm, even from the Galle side. But, in principle, it is not scary, you can jump and ride. From the side, the bay ends with a spit that goes into the ocean, and at the end of the spit, in the ocean, a rocky island grows. At the top of the island there is a very beautiful and colorful restaurant; we recommend visiting it, admiring the gorgeous view and dining on fresh lobsters. Having already passed the spit, you will see a bay with calm water and a swimming beach. There are always a lot of locals splashing around here, you will notice the cove right away.
Accommodation in Mirissa is very easy to find. Walking along the coast, go to any hotel, look at the room, and ask the price. Considering all the proposed options in a nearby cafe, over a glass of fresh juice, you choose the best option for yourself. There are no problems with food here either. Right on the shore there are many cafes and restaurants offering local dishes to suit your taste, such as curry, nadles, very tasty cream soups and, of course, seafood. It's a bit difficult with alcohol here. You can always find it in bars, but there are no specialized stores in the area of 28 km.
Dickwella.
A cozy beach, without crowds of tourists, an influx of beach fights and various merchants - that’s all about the beach in . A small bay is located a bit far from Bandaranaike airport, so it is not so popular among tourists. But Dikwella has a beautiful beach, protected by rocks on one side and a coral reef on the other. The beach is considered elite, very quiet and comfortable for vacationers. The sand is golden in color, the water is clear and azure.
The infrastructure of Dikwella is not large, almost a couple of cafes and several hotels and guest houses. But here is the best hotel in Sri Lanka - famous for being surrounded on three sides by the ocean and all the windows have a sea view.
Popular excursions to the blue hall, the so-called one, with the tallest Buddha statue on the island.
Here are five of the best of the best beaches in Sri Lanka, all of them famous and located in the southwest of the island. But I would also like to mention one resort, less popular, but very picturesque, and it is located on the eastern side of Ceylon.
Pasikuda.
Due to the widespread myth that people don’t go on vacation in Sri Lanka in the summer (read about ), Pasikuda Beach has remained undeservedly forgotten. This is a summer resort, open to visitors from May to October. According to tourists, the beautiful beach also deserves bounty status. Golden sand, palm trees over the azure water, this place is popular among newlyweds. Here you can feel secluded while contemplating the natural beauty of the island. True, the infrastructure is not very developed, but vacationers are always welcome here and local residents give tourists a warm welcome.
We'll tell you about the three best places for swimming in Sri Lanka. We'll give you a brief overview and show you where the beaches are on the map of the island.
Unawatuna
The beach is located near the small fishing village of Unawatuna, near the provincial town of Galle. You won’t find sophisticated resort entertainment or luxury hotel complexes here: tourists mostly stay in small guesthouses. However, this stretch of coastline is an ideal place for those who are tired of the crowds of people along the coastline.
Pure golden sand and clear azure water - this is how Unawatuna can be described in a few words. There is no safer place for swimming on the entire island: the double coral reef serves as a reliable barrier from large waves.
The right one is suitable for those who just want to relax in peace and quiet. There is a sandier shore and a gentle entrance to the water. Cafes and restaurants located along the coast provide umbrellas and sunbeds for rent. On the beach you can enjoy lush exotic vegetation, and palm trees grow right on the shore.
Mirissa
A beach in the south of Sri Lanka, 25 kilometers from Matara, the nearest large city. It is famous for its picturesqueness, but it cannot be called wild. There are several villages nearby where you can rent a private house or stay in a hotel. There are sun loungers on the shore; you can take refuge from the heat in small cafes and restaurants. For lovers of active nightlife there are discos.
Sri Lanka is an island state on the coast of Hindustan in South Asia, which is famous for its leisurely, quiet way of life, where everyone can hide from the noise of the city and be alone with nature. Bustiness is completely unusual for this place, even the service staff is slow, with the exception, of course, of top hotels, where hotel employees run quickly to have time to serve everyone and please everyone. A quiet holiday also practically excludes noisy discos and parties, so you should be content with the sights that nature itself provides and, of course, diving. The only thing that can push a tourist away from this piece of paradise is the incredibly long flight. But this is almost the only drawback, which is compensated by the extraordinary beauty of picturesque panoramas, the most beautiful beaches in the world, interesting centuries-old history and ancient monuments, surprisingly rich marine flora and fauna, which will resonate with curious divers, as well as the opportunity to conquer the waves by tireless and fearless surfers .
Once upon a time in the past, Ceylon, the “Blessed Land” can delight you with impeccable aromatic coffee, which is considered the best here. Sri Lanka is a wonderful alternative for lovers of the Mediterranean in the winter months. When it’s cool to swim in popular resorts, and you really want to, then the doors of Sri Lanka are open to everyone who wants to plunge into summer.
Territory of Sri Lanka
Due to differences in climatic conditions, Sri Lanka is conventionally divided into 2 zones with different periods of seasonal rest:
- west and southwest- is the most popular with its famous resort of Colombo
- north and northeast
This division allows tourists to relax at any time of the year on the most beautiful beaches.
Climate and weather of the island of Sri Lanka
Favorable months for vacation due to the existing monsoons in the west and southwest: October - May, and in the north and northeast: April - November. For lovers of sea entertainment and swimming, the best periods are in the southwestern part: October - April, in the northeastern part - March - November.
Sri Lanka has a tropical climate and therefore experiences monsoons in different parts of the country. There is also a 95% chance of precipitation during the summer, which mostly occurs at night. The air temperature in the country stays within 28-30°C throughout the year. The exception is mountainous areas, where in winter the temperature drops to +10°C. The water temperature is approximately 26°C.
When there are no waves in Sri Lanka
If you are not a fan of sea adventures or want to relax with children, then the most suitable time for relaxation will be March - November on the east coast.
Features of the beaches of the island of Sri Lanka
Basically, the best beaches in the country have sandy coastlines that stretch for thousands of kilometers and are distinguished by luxurious scenic views. It should be noted that Forbes magazine highlighted several of Sri Lanka in its top ten most beautiful beaches in the world - from Tangalle to Weligama and Bentota.
Hotels in Sri Lanka
The hotels are mostly located right on the shore and differ from each other in their unique style, directly reflecting local traditions and culture, harmoniously combining with the natural landscape of the area. Each hotel boasts its own original tourist entertainment program, including various theme nights. You can enjoy ethnic and cultural performances, fashion shows, barbecues, fishing, picnics, excursions, etc. High-class hotels of 4 stars and below differ significantly from each other in service, which in lower-level hotels is appropriate and the staff usually expects tips so that they can work better.
The best beaches in Sri Lanka
The most popular holiday destination among tourists in Sri Lanka is considered to be the southwestern direction, which contains such famous resorts as Negombo, Colombo, Bentota, Hikkaduwa, Mirissa, Weligama, Wadduwa and Beruwela.
Unawatuna Beach
Unawatuna Beach lies along the highway leading from Colombo to Galle and is 164 kilometers from the international airport. The beach resort is shaped like a month and has an extraordinary nature, which is why it was included in the top ten most beautiful beaches in the world by the Discovery Channel in 2004. A double layer of coral reefs ensures the blue lagoon is perfectly clear.
Due to the fact that the depth of the lagoon is no more than 6 meters, it warms up very well, so swimming here is not only safe for children, but also very pleasant, because... The water temperature here does not drop below 27ºС. One of the most beautiful beaches of Unawatuna is an ideal place for diving, whose lovers will find here bizarre reefs, unique fish, sea turtles and, moreover, a sunken ship called the Rangoon, which sank to the bottom 100 years ago.
This beach will definitely be appreciated by “eco tourists” who prefer to walk through the wild jungle during long hikes, and here there is a wonderful Kottawa rainforest reserve. It is noteworthy that there are also no expensive hotels or tourist complexes here, and mostly tourists here relax as “savages”, staying even for more than a month. But this does not mean that the beach is devoid of restaurants and cafes, of which there are plenty along the entire coast. You can also hide from the sun under an umbrella and sunbathe on sun loungers.
Negombo Beach
The most beautiful beaches of Sri Lanka
The beach is the most popular due to its closest location to the airport, which is located 7 kilometers away and 40 kilometers from the equally popular Colombo beach. There are always the largest number of tourists here, so lovers of privacy will definitely be put off. Negombo is the name of not only the city, but also the lagoon, and it is located in the north direction from the center. One of the best and most beautiful beaches also attracts with a long-sunk ship, which has now turned into an artificial coral reef, which divers are eager to see. However, do not expect high clarity from the water of this beach, since a large river flows into the ocean not far from it. But despite all the shortcomings, Negombo is distinguished by a large picturesque beach and an interesting ancient history, as well as a rich cultural heritage. Here you can visit a wide variety of cathedrals and churches, which has earned the city the title of “little Rome”.
Beaches of Colombo
The most beautiful beaches of Sri Lanka
Colombo is the largest city in Sri Lanka, performing part of the functions of the capital, which is located 35 kilometers from the international airport. The most beautiful beaches of Colombo are located near the city: Bentota, Beruwela, Ambalagoda, Kalutara, Mount Lavinia, Negombo and Moratuwa Beach. This is the number of resorts that are always ready to welcome vacationers with the most comfortable air temperature, not falling below 27°C.
Bentota Beach
The most beautiful beaches of Sri Lanka
65 kilometers separate this amazing beach from Colombo. One of the best beaches attracts newlyweds and lovers with its romance and privacy, where you can first walk along the deserted beach, and then rent a boat and go on a trip along the river of the same name, which flows directly into the ocean. The beauty of the beach is very impressive and fascinates with its exoticism and luxury. There are plenty of hotels here, both high-class and more inexpensive. Bentota is divided into 2 beach areas: the cape in the north with Paradise Beach, stretching between the waters of the Indian Ocean and the lagoon of the same name, and the southern beach, more preferred by young people, which is famous for its large number of noisy parties, entertainment and luxury hotels. It is noteworthy that the largest diving center, Confifi Marina, is located in Bentota. In addition to diving, you can enjoy other sea activities, such as water skiing, canoeing, and catamaran. banana boat, surfing, yacht cruises and fishing are organized. You can admire the extraordinary flora and fauna during a water safari along the Bentota Ganga River. It is possible to satisfy your cultural needs while visiting the ruins of the ancient Galapata Vihara complex, created in the 12th century, where amazing images on the walls and statues of Buddha have been preserved to this day. The infrastructure will satisfy any tourist with the presence of a variety of markets, cafes and restaurants.
Hikkaduwa Beach
The most beautiful beaches of Sri Lanka
Hikkaduwa is one of the most popular resorts in the country, where you can go at any time of the year. If you come from September to May, you will find stunningly crystal clear calm water, thanks to which there is an excellent opportunity to enjoy the rich underwater flora and fauna, because it’s not for nothing that the beach bears the proud title of “coral reserve”. Another seasonal period will be preferred by extreme surfers, because here the monsoons will rage. That is why this place is ideal for an active holiday with fun on the water. To get to the beach there are train and bus connections from Colombo and taxis. You can stay in one of two five-star hotels or in one of the hotels with a maximum of 15 rooms. There is also excellent infrastructure, which, in addition to shops and restaurants, can offer a wholesale fish market and a fish market for true seafood lovers. We recommend that while visiting the resort, be sure to experience swimming with turtles, which gives you the opportunity to even touch them and feed them with kelp, and also try yourself as a body surfer.
Mirissa Beach
The most beautiful beaches of Sri Lanka
This place is a very special and very beautiful beach, completely different from its neighbors, because it does not offer any organized entertainment at all, so you can come here for one or two days, for example, from Bentota, which is 100 kilometers away. There are places to stay here, but you can come here before evening for an excursion and return to your hotel in the nearest resort town. It’s definitely worth a visit here, if only because of the presence of amazing blue whales here, which swim right to the shore from November to April. The beach will also surprise you with the diversity of other marine inhabitants; you can admire them from aboard a pleasure boat.
This beach town appeared completely spontaneously, not planned, at a time when tourists began to appear in this place more and more often and hotels were subsequently built. Such a city is not even known to Wikipedia, but the Internet itself is full of proposals for this unique corner. It is fair to note that the beach is also very attractive during the season. Every year there are more and more people wanting to relax here, which is the reason for the constant overcrowding of the few hotels, but if you are unpretentious, then there is the opportunity to rent one of the local houses, rented out by the residents themselves.
Weligama Beach
The most beautiful beaches of Sri Lanka
One of the most amazing and luxurious beaches that will make you love it with all your heart. Beach in the bay of Weligama. It is located 144 kilometers from Colombo, in the Matara region, on the southern side of the island, 30 kilometers away from Galle. The beach is notable for its large number of boutique hotels with the highest service, but you will be more impressed by the hotel located on the small island of Taprobane, 200 meters from the shore. This name can be heard in one of the songs of Kylie Minogue, who dedicated it to this island.
The seabed along the entire beach is completely sandy, which makes it undeniably safe during swimming and surfing. Equipment rental alternates with small restaurants along the entire coast. For Russian-speaking guests there is even a Russian surfing school.
The town itself is distinguished by the presence of ancient colonial mansions with amazing wooden ornaments, Catholic cathedrals and Buddhist sculptures. The most famous landmark of this city is the three-meter statue of the God of Death, carved from a block.
Wadduwa Beach
The most beautiful beaches of Sri Lanka
The “country” resort on the southwestern coast of Sri Lanka is located just 35 kilometers from Colombo, so getting here is not difficult. This place is ideal for those tourists who prefer a noisy holiday in big cities, with many interesting sights, fascinating history, visiting a variety of restaurants and doing extensive shopping, and after a busy cultural program, with pleasant fatigue, return to a cozy country beach hotel. Besides all this, it is also the most beautiful beach in Sri Lanka, as well as many others.
You can come here to relax at any time of the year, but the optimal period is from September to May. Here the tourist will receive both a calm and serene holiday from the bustle of the city, and full of entertainment in the city. The resort is famous for its numerous spas, wellness centers offering Ayurvedic treatments, yoga and meditation classes, and healing courses. This is no coincidence. Even the name of the town is associated with the local doctors “Veda”, in whose honor it originated.
However, the beach is unlikely to be suitable for people who prefer pretentiousness and sophistication, since the beach belongs to the category of natural and natural, which is undoubtedly attractive, stretching for 7 kilometers with its golden sandy carpet. The descent into the water is quite steep, so swimming is not recommended during large waves. The beautiful beach is perfect for wedding ceremonies, just like any other resort in Sri Lanka.
Water sports enthusiasts can find a variety of marine activities here and enjoy windsurfing, diving, water skiing or sailing. For a more interesting way of spending time and satisfying cultural needs, there is a great opportunity to go to the surrounding area, which is full of a variety of Buddhist temples that will envelop you in a unique atmosphere of peace and harmony. And the most important distinguishing feature of these places is the incredibly friendly, helpful and welcoming people.
Beruwela Beach
The most beautiful beaches of Sri Lanka
The resort town is no less famous to tourists than Bentota and is popular due to the large number of hotels of any class, a safe golden beach and calm sea, with the exception of a couple of months in June and July, when the winds cause high waves. Beruwela is an ideal beach for families with children, as well as for people with poor swimming skills.
There are small cafes and several shops selling clothes and souvenirs. Water sports centers will always help you learn windsurfing, diving or snorkeling. The resort beach can become your most beautiful and most memorable beach.
Video about Sri Lanka
We would like to immediately apologize if it suddenly seems to anyone that some of our reviews about the best beaches in Sri Lanka will be somewhat negative. Yes, we are not connoisseurs of such “civilized” places - we are indifferent to them, but maybe it is this indifference that will allow us to give a more objective assessment of them. If you, like us, are more interested in secluded and picturesque corners in the “bounty” style, then read about them in the first part - The most beautiful beaches of Sri Lanka.
The best beaches in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has kilometers of sandy beaches under the shade of coconut trees, washed by the waves of the warm Indian Ocean. It would seem that if you want to swim and sunbathe well, go anywhere. However, it should be recognized that the question “Where to go in Sri Lanka for a beach holiday?” is very relevant, but the answer to it is not so obvious. Why? The main reasons are strong ocean waves and not very developed tourist infrastructure. Part of our multi-day and multi-kilometer traveling around Sri Lanka by motorcycle, became a section along the southern and western coasts of the island, starting from Tangalle and ending at Negombo. Thanks to this, we were able to see and visit almost all the beaches and form our own personal opinion about them. Review south coast can be found
, and about the beaches of Negombo (by the way, quite good) -
. Review and recommendations of inexpensive, good accommodation along the entire route –
. 
Now we want to try to tell you where to go specifically for a beach holiday in its classical sense - a good beach, clean sea, tourist infrastructure and other benefits of a civilized holiday. It is the desire to combine all these parameters that causes the problem.
The best beaches in Sri Lanka? Where to go for a beach holiday
So, let's begin. The main goal is a classic beach holiday, which should include:
- nice, clean, well-kept beach with sun loungers, umbrellas and cafes;
- good conditions for swimming, i.e. absence of waves and stones, good bottom and sufficient depth even during low tides (who doesn’t know, low tides during the daytime);
- well-developed tourist infrastructure - exchange offices, ATMs, shops, excursion bureaus and the like;
- entertainment - restaurants, bars, discotheques, nightclubs, animation;
Bentota Beach
In our opinion, Bentota is one of the best options for such a classic holiday by the sea. Here you can find all of the above requirements, with the possible exception of animation, although this is quite likely to be the case in large hotels. The bulk of vacationers in these parts are package tourists, and accordingly, everything is “tailored” for them. 
Bentota Beach is not a “bounty”, but it is very beautiful - a 3-kilometer arc of sand, in places several tens of meters wide. The size of the beach allows you to always find a place where you can retire and enjoy peace, even at the height of the season. The sand is light and clean. 
Entry into the water is smooth, the bottom is excellent. The water is a little cloudy, but here this is due not so much to the Bentota River flowing nearby, but to the composition of the bottom and the waves. In short, the water is a little cloudy, but clean. There are waves, sometimes strong, but the shore is safe even for children. 
However, attention! The rollback of the wave creates a strong current along the coast in a northerly direction. This is not particularly dangerous, but be aware and do not leave children unattended.
Moragalla Beach (Beruwela)
Beruwela and its Moragalla Beach are located north of Bentota, just across the Bentota Ganga River and stretch for about 1.5 kilometers. The location is good, but when choosing a hotel for a beach holiday, be careful. The river carries its waters along the beach and because of this, most of its half is unsuitable for the purposes of interest to us. It’s not worth settling in the southern half at all - both the beach and the water are dirty.
In the second half, near a small cape and an island, it’s already better. The water is cleaner, but very turbid, at low tide it is quite shallow, the bottom is sandy with muddy inclusions (probably river washouts). The beach is nice, wide and cleaned regularly. 
In the upper third, right behind the cape, the situation changes dramatically - the water is clean, more transparent. Although the strip of sand is narrow, the shore is beautiful. 
The cape has a closed water area, a kind of pool, where there are almost never waves - great for children. 
A little further, behind a popular and luxurious hotel Cinnamon Bey– a beautiful small bay perfect for swimming, the depth is sufficient even at low tide. 
The nightlife here is really not in full swing, but otherwise the place for a beach holiday is good.
Beaches Induruwa, Kosagoda and others
Further, almost all the way to Hikkaduwa there is a string of amazingly beautiful beaches - Induruwa, Kosagoda and others. There are not many vacationers here at all, there is not a huge choice of housing either, but what is available is often very, very good. Many hotels are brand new, simple ones shine and can satisfy the requirements of the most discerning tourists, but... 
There is one big “BUT”. This is where the strongest impact of the 2004 tsunami fell. Despite the fact that more than 10 years have passed since the tragedy and the shore has almost “healed all wounds”, the atmosphere here is very different from other beaches in Sri Lanka. 
Traveling around the island, we read practically nothing and knew nothing about the disaster that year. Having left Hikkaduwa in the direction of Bentota, at first we could not understand why we were suddenly overcome by a feeling of incomprehensible sadness, despite the beauty and wonderful weather reigning all around. 
There was a subconscious feeling that we were moving through places where there was a war, there were strong battles and many people died. They realized what was going on when they stopped on one of the beaches and looked around carefully - almost everywhere, in the tall grass and bushes, there were inconspicuous graves. So, throughout almost the entire journey... We found it impossible for ourselves to have fun and have fun in these places. 
Hikkaduwa Beach
Hikkaduwa is perhaps the most popular place among tourists from Russia, especially among independent travelers. The place is ambiguous, on the one hand there are nice beaches (to the south of Hikkaduwa Beach), on the other there is excessive overcrowding, overcrowding, and the coastline close to the water is built up with hotels and restaurants, plus all this is squeezed between the sea and a busy highway. 
Entering the water and swimming in some places may be complicated by the presence of stones. This place is more suitable not for a classic beach holiday, but for lovers of parties, bars and discos; they will be comfortable and interesting here. In short, you shouldn’t look for the relaxed, peaceful atmosphere of tropical beaches in Hikkaduwa.
If you still go here, we recommend that you stay not in Hikkaduwa itself, but a little further south in the area of Nerigama Beach, where it is a little freer and more beautiful. 
If your plans include romantic evening walks on the beach, then here is a chance to make them come true, but in Hikkaduwa you definitely shouldn’t hope for this.
There are even fewer people south of Nerigama. And in Dodanduwa there are almost none of them at all, as well as any kind of tourist infrastructure. 
Well, be prepared for the fact that the waves on all these beaches are significant. Hikkaduwa Beach can be considered an exception in terms of waves, but the beach there is so dirty and unattractive that we personally had no desire to swim there.
Unawantuna Beach
In terms of popularity among Russian tourists, only Hikkaduwa can compete with Unawatuna, keep this in mind. Unawatuna Beach is a relatively small section of sandy shore, although it cannot boast of width. But what may amaze you is the density of vacationers per 1 sq. m., as well as the ambitions of the majority of vacationers. 
However, this is a matter of personal taste, especially since most beach tourists are attracted not by natural beauty, but by the presence of developed infrastructure. Shops, banks, restaurants, bars, discos, many offers of various excursions and entertainment - all this is present here. 
The main advantage of the beach itself is the absence of large waves and the possibility of safe swimming. The coastline is curved in a steep arc, bent by more than 90 degrees, one of the ends of which ends in a high cape jutting into the sea and covering a significant part of the beach area from the excesses of the ocean. 
The sand on the beach is good, light, but in some places it is very dirty with cigarette butts - a little digging with your hand and they are beautiful. The bottom is sandy, clean, without stones. The depth gain is fast, which allows you to swim even at the strongest low tides. 
In general, it should be recognized that the conditions here are excellent for swimming. True, this applies only to 1/3 of the beach - the western one. The remaining 2/3 are not suitable for a beach holiday. Keep this in mind when choosing a hotel.
In addition to the main beach, Unuvantuna Beach, there are a couple of smaller ones called Jungle Beach. They are located on the opposite side of the peninsula. You can get to them either by tuk-tuk, driving along the highway or walking along the path from the Jungle Beach Hotel.
The beaches are positioned as Bounty - beautiful, wild nature. However, in fact, this is a purely commercial place, where all the attributes of a “civilized” holiday are at your service - sunbeds under umbrellas, a restaurant, a bar and a lot of people on a tiny, but still cute spot of sushi. But don’t forget - these beaches are located in a bay (rather closed), on the shores of which one of the largest cities in Sri Lanka is located - with all the consequences, as they say.
Mirissa Beach
Once again we are forced to apologize for such disrespect for the “pearl” of Sri Lanka. We visited Mirissa twice. The first time, having read odes of praise, we went there with the intention of living for five days, or even more. We stayed no more than an hour or an hour and a half and went home to look for accommodation elsewhere. The second time, driving by, they checked to see if we had missed something and didn’t understand it on our first visit and also didn’t stay long. Well, we categorically didn’t like her, and in order not to say anything unnecessary and untrue, we won’t write about her.
This is our review of the beaches of Sri Lanka and their description. Have a nice holiday and a well-chosen place!
All beaches of Sri Lanka on the island map
updated: August 8, 2017 by: Sergei
