When you come across the tear-shaped island, the first thing that comes into your mind are the sandy beaches. While you seek pleasure when you relax along the coastline with palm trees, you can certainly enjoy the cool breeze around the region. So, regardless of what you plan to do; dwell in solitude or indulge in some water sports activities, here’s a list of beaches you shouldn’t miss visiting in Sri Lanka.
Mirissa Beach
There are numerous reasons why this beach has been on top of the list of travel enthusiasts. The beach boasts a crescent of ivory sand on either side of the dark red cliffs. Since a long time, tourists fail to notice the scenic perfection. But, currently, this beach has many resorts which are busy all throughout the day. Rather than just thinking about sun loungers, you could spend some more time dancing on the tunes of melodious music with drinks in your hand.
Arugam Bay
With the shape of the moon covered with golden sand, the Arugam Bay is still considered as the best place for surfing. With less number of people living here and there, the town has a single road which runs parallel to the coast. Further ahead, you will surely be refreshed because the town is surrounded by salt-water lagoons. During the day, you will certainly be relaxing under the blazing sun with a vast expanse of the sky.
Medaketiya Beach
As you travel towards the east along the southern coastline, you will enjoy a never-like-before experience. Moreover, you can chill out at the reasonably-priced guesthouses and the laid-back cafes. But, with the waves rolling back and forth relentlessly it may be dangerous to swim during the day. In comparison to other beaches in Sri Lanka, this beach is the most developed one near the island nation.
Bentota
A bird’s eye view of the Bentota beach shows a ribbon of golden sand stretching right from the start of Bentota Ganga. While you spend an enjoyable time with your loved ones, you can get busy with every kind of water sport you can think about. As you settle in an inexpensive resort along the banks of the Aluthgama, you can reach the beach by boat. Not just that, the seafront is lined with big resorts to spend those holidays.
Uppuveli
Situated 6 km towards the north of Trincomalee, Uppuveli is nothing but a small coastal enclave with many places to savour dishes. While you’re at Uppuveli, you can easily go to the Pigeon Island as well as visit the historic Trinco. Above all, the intimate feel and worthy accommodation makes it the most favourite spot for many tourists. If you have free time, then you could stop by and try your skills with snorkelling.
Unawatuna
With turquoise waters, a perfect guesthouse and beaches with palm trees all around, the Unawatuna beach has always been famous among tourists. While you will be amazed with the resort’s location, you still can take off to the city of Galle. Besides, you can cherish moments at a wooded headland with numerous tiny coves around the area. You could also proceed to the Jungle Beach which lies to the west of Unawatuna.
Passekudah
If you’re someone who likes to spend time habitually on a beach, then you shouldn’t forget going to the Passekudah beach. As the surrounding region is developed into a ‘Special Economic Zone’, it has many luxury hotels around the bay. You would experience the hustle and the bustle, you would have to travel a bit north from the Batticaloa city on the east coast. In the end, you are sure to get fascinated with the sickle-shaped bay and its shallow waters.
Manalkadu Beach
As you move around the sands of the northern coast, you can admire the beauty of the Manalkadu beach along the Jaffna Peninsula. While you can spend time in solitude at this beach, you can have fun with the unblemished sand along the coastline much beyond your imaginations. However, if you simply need to keep yourself busy, then you can hop on fishing boat and wander deep into the sea. Undoubtedly, this beach boasts one of the longest sand dune fields of Sri Lanka.
Hikkaduwa
Among the best and the most popular beaches of the island nation, the Hikkaduwa beach is certainly an icon of the surf scene of the western region. However, across the years, the erosion of the northern end has taken away some resorts into the surf. Even when this was the condition years ago, the beach is still known for its vibe, heritage and beauty. In case you have ample time to while away, then you could visit the park which is famous for its flora and fauna and a shallow fringing reef.
Mount Lavinia
If you’re still searching for a ‘nice’ beach in Sri Lanka, then the Mount Lavinia Beach in Colombo must be in your bucket list. Even when the beach is not very much appealing than the Mirissa beach, it just could your best bet owing to the sea shore and the overhead sun. To your surprise, this beach is around 15 minutes from the centre of the capital and has many seafood restaurants beside the sea shore. But, before you move ahead, you should be careful of the undertow and avoid visiting the beach during weekends.
Weligama
If you’re fond of posting snaps on Instagram, then you could simply zoom in to capture the surroundings of the Weligama beach. Apart from surfing, this beach is the place where you can enjoy snorkelling for long hours. Moreover, the style of silt fishing will also catch your attention somewhere near the sea shore. On the other hand, you will get a chance to view the Leper king statue built for an anonymous king.
Induruwa
The Induruwa beach takes you through the scenic beauty of the nearby villages and some places for relaxing. Further ahead, you may simply stop by the local market and purchase some gift items for your near and dear ones. If it’s high time to rejuvenate yourself, then you could be a part of a wellness program and try out some Ayurveda practices. You could even try obliterating worries from your mind in case you happen to visit the Maadu river and the sweet water lagoons.
Finally, for a memorable vacation in the forthcoming months, you should travel around the off the beaten track. While you go to the unexplored places of the island nation, these are relatively quite enchanting than the ones you may have heard about always. Best of all, you should block those dates on your calendar anytime between December and May. While you are sure to enjoy the amazing weather, you still can spend some wonderful moments in less-crowded areas. Moving ahead, do ensure that you stash away a jacket in case you’re visiting a hilly region