The best beaches in Sri Lanka

Unawatuna is considered to be the best beach in Sri Lanka. The Discovery Channel called it the best beach in the world. The lagoon is located about 5 km away from the old southern Galle Fort. You can easily combine relaxation sessions on the beach with visits to the numerous sights.

Mirissa is a gem of the south coast of Sri Lanka. It's located in a small village between Galle and Matara. 600 meters of shoreline, shaped like a crescent and covered in light pinkish sand, round the ocean, where surfers from all over the world come to.

Dickwella is both a small locality and a beach in the south of Sri Lanka. Tangalle and Matara are located nearby, which is why Dickwella is attributed to both cities. The truth is that Dickwella is a self-sufficient resort with a beautiful beach where fishing and trading prosper.

Hikkaduwa is one of the most popular resorts located about 100 km away from the country's capital. It became popular due to its relatively well-developed infrastructure, rich coral and bird reserves and perfect conditions for diving and surfing.

Koggala, a colorful resort, is just 20 minutes away from the nearby Galle. The underdeveloped infrastructure attracts those who like a vacation far from civilization. This beach, over 3 km in length, becomes more and more popular among those who like to lay on the beach and athletes with PADI certification.

This place is located far from the roads walked by numerous excursions and big towns that tourists frequently visit. Coming from the biggest city on the island, Colombo, may take about 9 hours! But some do visit this place... The majority of guests include active young people and water sports enthusiasts. Sometimes surfing competitions are held here, so free and independent people come to Arugam Bay between May and November for new acquaintances and high waves.

If you're looking for the calmest beach in Sri Lanka, where there's no strong wind, high waves, large crowds of tourists and annoying shopkeepers selling junk on the beach, then consider it done! But it doesn't mean that the beach is empty or uncrowded. It's quite frequently visited, but only by locals and passersby. So do take note that you'll get a lot of attention as tourists are a rarity here.

This beach is the best example of how the media can make the most popular resort out of a typical exotic beach, and there are a lot of them in Sri Lanka. This beach can be seen in advertisements, magazines and popular bloggers' pages on Instagram! And the reason for that is the few ropes that are tied to the palms... That's it. Seems like nothing new, but you need to experience it firsthand. It's even better if you get to ride them. Especially since this activity costs only 3 dollars...

Some people consider this beach the best in Sri Lanka, and not without reasons. If you want to enjoy calmness and solitude, spend time along in quietness, then come to this uncrowded but extremely beautiful Nilaveli Beach. You will be excited by the breathtaking landscapes and outside exotica both on the beach and on your way to it.

The emerald coast of this beach seems endless. Those who like a slow and calm vacation must visit this place: walk barefoot on the soft sand and breath the fresh air from the Indian Ocean. The main advantage of Tangalle is that no one will disturb you while you gaze at the endless natural beauty! Some parts of the beach are completely empty... Isn't it heaven for a couple or even a lonely traveller who wants some rest away from civilization?

This long beach covered in clean sand is located in the southwest part of Sri Lanka. You can get here from Colombo, a town with an international airport, by train, bus or taxi, which is the best option: it's easy to find one at the airport and it's the fastest way to get here (about two hours). Swimming here is safe which is why many families with children come here.

The bay suits those who like surfing, as well as those who like deep sea fishing. Both beginners and experienced people can partake in sports here. Sailing and canoe rides are also available on this beach. And dedicated fishermen who sit along the coastline all day deserve special attention. As they are a sort of a local sight, just like the needlewomen on the shore and the old villas.

The beach is located about 100 km away from the Colombo International Airport. You need to go southwest to reach it. The best way to get here is by car as it's convenient and take just about 1,5 hours. The infrastructure isn't very well-developed as the resort is quite young, but there are some comfortable hotels near the beach already. Both snack bars with simple food and cafes and restaurants with exotic meals and local delicacies operate here.

This resort encapsulates the soul of small fisherman villages of Sri Lanka. Lobsters, shrimps and crabs are being caught here for later selling to the fish markets. Since the underwater world is very fascinating, the main attractions here are diving and fishing. You can get here from Colombo in just one hour, and alternatively you can reach this place from the nearby Katunayake International Airport.

A beautiful sandy beach with amazing palms and wide coastline is located north of Trincomalee. You can get here by bus or auto rickshaw, takes just 10-15 minutes. This is a great place for active leisure among youth, as well as swimming and sunbathing. The descent into water is quite smooth, so swimming is quite safe for children as the are no waves here.