The first thing that comes to mind when considering Sri Lanka is its gorgeous sandy shores. It is what Sri Lanka is well-known for. Tourists from around the globe come to this exquisite cluster of islands to explore its natural beauty. Needless to say, the beaches of Sri Lanka are perfect locations that allow one to rejuvenate completely.

So, you can plan a visit to the Sri Lankan beaches to explore its natural beauty featured by cultural history. Here is a list of the best beaches that you should add to your list.

To ensure the best experience, you can go through this carefully curated list of some of the top beaches in Sri Lanka where you can refresh yourself to the maximum.

1. Unawatuna Beach, Galle

One of the popular beaches in Sri Lanka, famous for turtle nesting, this coastline looks like a banana when viewed from atop. You can bask under the sun, enjoy the ocean's sparkling azure water, and indulge in fun activities. The lush green palm trees keep the environment enjoyable on most days. 

• Best Time to Visit: Late August and Early September
• Famous for: From attractive eateries that sell finger-licking delicacies to stalls that retail the local attires, this beach is a must-visit place. Here are the other places you can visit around:
  • Enjoy water activities such as snorkelling and scuba diving
  • Rejuvenate at the Thaproban Beach House and enjoy finger-licking Sri Lankan cuisines
  • Seek blessings at Yatagala Raja Maha Viharaya Temple 
  • Get pampered at the famous sanctuary spa and Ayurveda massage

2. Bentota Beach, Galle

Bentota is a lovely quaint town and one of the famous beaches in Sri Lanka, attracting tourists from all around the globe. You can enjoy activities here such as diving, snorkelling, parasailing, fishing and dolphin watching. 

• Best Time to Visit: August-end to mid-October
• Famous for: If you want to spend a few days away from the bustling crowd, this can be your favourite location. Here are some places to visit:
  • Explore the aquatic life protection centre; you can also get to release a turtle into the ocean.
  • Enjoy a lovely bicycle tour around the city and rejuvenate yourself
  • You can get pampered at the Ayurvedic spa centres 
  • Indulge yourself in whale watching and river safari activity

3. Mirissa Beach, Southern Colombo

A wonderful view of flora and fauna is what you experience while visiting Mirissa Beach. Ideal for swimming, tourists here travel to watch the great waves favourable for surfing and spot turtles and big blue whales. Enjoy fresh coconut water inside your hammock and taste finger-licking Sri Lankan cuisine from the beachside shacks.

• Best Time to Visit: The best time to view turtle hatching is December to March. You can also visit here from August to October.
• Famous for: A wonderful place for explorers to enjoy water activities, Mirissa also has:
  • There are several Ayurvedic massage parlours for you to indulge in pampering yourself.
  • Enjoy nature at its best with a river safari. You could also see the wonderful paddy fields often visited by migratory birds and marine creatures.
  • If you want to explore around, hire a boat and go fishing near coral reefs with the inhabitants of nearby villages.

4. Weligama, Matara District

Well known as Sri Lanka's perky fishing village, Weligama is flocked by young people as they indulge in photography to post them on their social media. This coastline is ideal for swimming and surfing due to low riding waves and with no danger of sharks. A shallow line of coral reefs borders the coastline.

• Best Time to Visit: October to March
• Famous for: Weligama is well-known as 'Sandy Village' with several temples, snake farms and natural sanctuaries, making it an attractive place to visit. Some activities to indulge in are:
  • Experience stilt fishing with your friends and the local people around.
  • Visit the snake farm to learn about various species of snakes as you get details about each snake from the experts there.
  • List down Taprobane Island, a few miles away from Weligama, to view an exquisite villa.
  • View Kushta Raja Gala or Leper King statue believed to be dedicated to Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara.
  • A must-visit destination is the Weligama lace weaving factory. You can watch women of the city here weaving lace and retailing.

5. Galle, Colombo

Galle is one of the best beaches in Sri Lanka that can surprise you with its architectural elegance and pleasant tropical weather. Experience the aroma of the cinnamon and cloves and other spices around. Galle beach's charming environment attracts many artists, writers and poets from other countrie

• Best Time to Visit: September to March
• Famous for: Deep sea fishing and whale watching are some splendid activities you can indulge in. You can travel around Galle hiring a bike and visit places such as:
  • Martin Wickramasinghe Folk Museum Complex to enjoy the Sri Lankan tradition.
  • Visit the Japanese Peace Pagoda and pamper yourself for Pilates class or yoga sessions in Niyagama House.
  • Sinharaja Forest reserve is an ideal location to explore and experience Sri Lankan wildlife, flora and fauna.

6. Arugam Bay, East of Sri Lanka

A moon-shaped coastline curled with soft sand, Arugam Bay is well-known as the best surf spot in Sri Lanka. A great base for adventure activities, the village of Arugam is a popular attraction with solo travellers drawn by the pleasant palm-fringed coastline. This beach pulls several surfers due to its laid-back charm and off-beat appeal.

• Best Time to Visit: March to October
• Famous for: One of the top beaches in Sri Lanka known for surfing, the azure waters of the ocean allow you to indulge in underwater photography. Here are some more activities to indulge into:
  • Book a relaxing blue lagoon safari through the splendid Pottuvil lagoon.
  • During the off-season, watch migratory birds visiting Arugam Bay.
  • Walk to the Elephant Rock as you enjoy the glorious beach.
  • Explore Hulannuga Caves, located atop and home a Buddha statue.
  • Famous for leopards and elephants, Yala East National Park is another must-visit place for you.

7. Uppuveli Beach, North of Trincomalee

The quaint hamlet of Uppuveli is a perfect destination for off-beat travel enthusiasts. The endless trail of soft white sand fringing the coastline remains unspoiled, making the beach clean. Although this area is developing rapidly as a location for indulging in water activities and diving, it remains a quiet solitude amidst nature.

• Best Time to Visit: August to mid-October
• Famous for: You will be glad to find locals welcoming tourists and allowing them to be a part of their occasions. Additionally, some more places to visit around are:
  • Have a lovely experience strolling under the moonlight on the coastline while you hear the waves sweeping by.
  • Visit the Swami Rock of Trincomalee, which saves the village from the Tsunami. It also is a hub of water activities where you can experience snorkelling and diving.
  • Indulge in a relaxing spa or a massage from the nearby yoga and spa retreats.
  • Also, visit the nearby Pigeon Island to click some lovely pictures of the coastline.

8. Induruwara Beach, Bentota District

With some relaxing spots to visit, Induruwara Beach assures the scenic beauty of the hamlets adorned with natural habitats. You can wish to spend quality time with your friends here basking under the sun and enjoying the golden sandy beach. 

One of the best beaches in Sri Lanka, Induruwara, also houses several retreats and hotels that are comfortable stays and within your budget.

• Best Time to Visit: January to August
• Famous for: If you have a shopping spree and want to purchase local Sri Lankan products to gift your family, visit the local shops. Furthermore, enjoy the below activities too:
  • Bopath Falls must be on your list of must-visit sight-seeing spots in Induruwara.
  • Book for a spa or a wellness treatment in an Ayurveda retreat to freshen yourself.
  • Explore the Batatotalena cave and the quaint Batugedara village to view precious gemstones.
  • To experience lush greenery and spot aquatic animals around, explore the Maadu river and the sweet water lagoons.

9. Hikkaduwa Beach, Northwest of Galle and South of Colombo

If you are a food lover and want to taste the delicious seafood cuisine of Sri Lanka, Hikkaduwa is the best choice. Alongside this, enjoy a relaxing spa and book fun water activities such as surfing and snorkelling in this best beach destination in Sri Lanka. This beach houses some plush staycations and nightclubs, thus pulling a lot of foreign tourists here.

• Best Time to Visit: March to September
• Famous for: Promising loads of scenic beauty and fun, you can enjoy late-night parties here at nightclubs. Other activities include:
  • Visit Coral Reef Gardens to explore the marine world and learn interesting facts about coral life, a turtle hatching.
  • Watch stunning sunset at Narigama Beach nearby.
  • Explore the local village and entertain yourself by taking part in Hikkaduwa Beach Festival.
  • Witness the famous shipwreck around the Hikkaduwa area.

10. Negombo Beach, Western Province of Sri Lanka

One of the most beautiful beaches in Sri Lanka, Negombo Beach, is close to the airport and frequently visited by foreigners. You will find Dutch reminiscences of Dutch settlements here. So, make it a must-visit destination whenever you are planning to visit Sri Lanka.

• Best Time to Visit: March to September
• Famous for: Tour the village hiring a bike or take a boat ride to scout the coral reefs. Well, you can also indulge into:
  • A blue lagoon area is an ideal place for bird watchers. Additionally, you can book diving and snorkelling sessions here as well.
  • Go for gem shopping as you visit gen mines that are a primary attraction.
  • Discover the adventurer in you while exploring and trekking the dense forests.

11. Rekawa Beach, East of Tangala Bay Beach

A major attraction for eco-tourists, Rekawa Beach is a secluded location well-known for being a nursery of extraordinary sea turtles that hatch on the coastline. 

• Best Time to Visit: January to April
• Famous for: Book your tour package, usually provided during evenings and from Tangalle. You can view the following here:
  • Watch an incredible sunset that glitters along the golden sands of the coastline.
  • Under full moonlight, witness the nesting grounds of Leatherback, Olive Ridley, Hawksbill and Green turtles.
  • Visit the Agro Technology Park, which demonstrates several agricultural technologies, including a dry zone home garden, horticulture garden and more.
  • Visit Yala National Park, a wildlife sanctuary renowned for housing wild animals.
  • Seek blessings from Mahapelessa hot springs, also known as Madunagala hot springs. They lie along the paddy fields amidst Ridiyagama and Sooriyawewa.
  • Visit Mulkirigala Rock Temple, bordering Tangalle, is an attractive destination for travellers and beach holidaymakers.

12. Kalpitiya Beach, Western Region of Puttalam District

If you want to view dolphins, visiting Kalpitiya Beach is an ideal choice. It is a surreal experience to watch dolphins playing around the Azure blue waters of the ocean. Hire a boat and sail across the ocean to have a clear view. 

• Best Time to Visit: November to March
• Famous for: Apart from dolphin watching, there are other fun activities to indulge in as you visit this beach. They are as follows:
  • Visit Wilpattu National Park
  • Kite surfing is another popular sport here

13. Polhena Beach, South Colombo

One of the most beautiful beaches in Sri Lanka, Polhena beach is ideal for water sports lovers. You can also choose this place as it is appropriate for swimming too. Fringed by soft coral reefs, travellers here can indulge in a snorkelling tour that is a lifetime experience to cherish.

• Best Time to Visit: March to October
• Famous for: Tourists visit this place to watch turtle hatching from the turtle view balcony area. Apart from that, other things to do here are:
  • You can enjoy some aerobatic sessions conducted by locals on the coastline
  • Spot crocodiles and birds by booking a boat rise on the Nilwala Ganga river
  • Take a tour of the quaint village to adorn its scenic beauty

14. Trincomalee Beach, Northeast of Sri Lanka

Popularly known as 'Trinco', this beach has a lovely stretch of white sand across the coastline. The shallow clean water is safe for swimmers to swim. Famous for cargo and trade, this exquisite beach is well-known for water activities and ancient temples. This makes this shore one of the top beaches in Sri Lanka.

• Best Time to Visit: August to October
• Famous for: Being a must-visit destination for the travel enthusiast who loves to explore and experience, here are some offerings:
  • Visit the famous Isvaram Hindu Shrine, sacred to Koneswaran
  • Explore the Hot Springs of Kanniya located near Anuradhapura Road
  • Visit the Buddhist Temple of Periyakulam, built around the 3rd century, to view the frontal bone relic of Lord Buddha.
  • Explore the 7th century build Circular Shrine located in Tirivava

15. Koggala Beach, Galle

Built during the Second World War, Koggala Beach is a lovely destination town where tourists gather to watch the rarest species of turtles. Additionally, you can also pursue interesting adventure sports here that indulge in some excellent photography too.

• Best Time to Visit: end of July to October
• Famous for: Travel enthusiasts from near and far come here to view the charming shores. Apart from that, they also visit:
  • Loggerhead and Leathery turtle are some of the rarest species travellers spot here.
  • Exploring Koggala Lake, apart from visiting the cinnamon plantations and a Buddhist Temple falls on the 'things to do list' too.
  • To cure sunburns, buy herbal products from the stalls around the beach. You also get to taste herbal wine here.
  • Visit Martin Wickramasinghe Folk Museum to get a glimpse of the Sri Lankan culture.
  • End your list with a lovely excursion to the Kottawa reserve to experience flora and fauna.

Sri Lanka offers plenty of beaches for people across the globe to take a break from their hectic schedules and pay a visit. This piece talks about some of the best beaches in Sri Lanka to help you make an informed decision before packing your backpacks and heading out.