Beaches in Sri Lanka

The Island of Sri Lanka has virtually blessed with many golden beaches around it. Yet, particularly some are developed to cater to the tourist’s leisure activities and relaxation. Here we give a few which are notably full of activities other than for fishing and whale watching tours.

Let us start with Bentota, down from Colombo about 68km along the coast, is one of the firsts to promote beach activities like surfing and boat rides. The location is bright and sandy, ideal for swimming and sunbathing. Vendors with locally made crafts and clothes are seen to tout at lesser price than that is found in the beach front hotels and boutiques. Below Bentota towards South is the sporty Hikkaduwa beach where sport activities thrive beside coral diving and surfing. Beach Rugby and Volley Ball are the prime sport attraction during the seasons. It is also one most romantic beach getaway in Sri Lanka. Be assured of resorts and hotels of international standards.

If looking for Scuba diving, surfing and authentic Sri Lankan Sea food all in one package then it is Unawatuna, further down South form the above two places mentioned. It is one of those revived after the Tsunami disaster. And then there is the Southernmost point of the Island namely Dickwella which is 22km form the Matara City. It is a long sandy beach over there secluded by headlands, coral reefs and also sand-bars, making it safer for swimming and snorkeling. Besides, it is only from that point, one can view the sunrise in the morning as well as sunset in the evening.

Equally fascinating beach is the Arugam Bay on the south east coast which is popular for windsurfing and other activities. Further up in Batticaloa, we have Kalkudah and Pasikuda shallow beaches with calm waters, ideal for sea-baths.  Tricomalee on the direct East of Colombo is famous for many reasons but it also has popular resorts and beaches. One is Nilaveli, a wide stretch of sandy shore for swimming and relaxing especially as the sun goes to the opposite side.
The north is slowly but surely regaining its past from the war stricken times when the allure of Casuarina beach at Karainagar (Delft) and the Kilali beach where both are receiving tourists in growing rates. They should attract many in the near future.