We’ve posted extensively about travel in Sri Lanka, where to go, how to go, what to do, but we need a post on Sri Lanka beaches to complete the set. Sri Lanka is surrounded by beaches, there are literally hundreds of places to take a beach holiday, from our favourite, Mirissa Beach, to the popular Golden Mile south of Columbo, to the somewhat undiscovered beaches of the east coast, northern west coast, Jaffna and the far north. You will find your paradise, but you need some insider information. Sri Lanka beaches each have their own character and picking the right one for you will help you enjoy your beach holiday far more.
Obviously, most tourists stay close to the airport, people generally don’t want to take a long road or rail trip straight off the plane, but just consider it. Sri Lanka’s real beach gems are worth the extra effort to reach and transport around Sri Lanka is incredibly cheap and easy. Expect crowds in the south-east, go further afield for seclusion. But lets look at a selection of beautiful and best beaches in Sri Lanka, some will suit surfers, some are safe for children, some have night life, some are secluded and peaceful. Take your pick.
Fishermen on the beach early in the morning Sri LankaSave
suggested read: Stunning Beaches In Sri Lanka That Will Make You Go ‘Wow’!
Sri Lanka Beaches, East-South Coast, South of Negombo
We’ll start near the airport, just north of Colombo and work our way, in order, down the popular west coast, around the southern tip, up the east coast and back down to the airport. For your reference, Galle is pretty much on the southern tip, Jaffna is at the northern tip of the island, the closest point to India and we think, a fascinating destination.
Negombo
There is a wide sandy beach at Negombo, not far from Bandaranaike International Airport and it may be worth taking a look if you spend the night here on arrival. Reviews often include the words “terrible”, “grubby”, “dirty” and “horrible”. I can’t comment, I’ve never been, for beaches we always head due south although an affordable overnight stay near the airport can be useful to get some sleep in, we now use this little hotel every time after trying a few.
Colombo
Columbo isn’t the place to go for beaches either, it’s a busy city that holds limited appeal and not one we usually choose to stay in although we’ve passed through countless times as we switch between taxi, bus and train in the Columbo Fort area. Negombo ( above) and Mount Lavinia (below) are the closest places to see a beach but Galle Face Green, a strip of recreational land facing the Indian Ocean, is undoubtedly worth a look.
Mount Lavinia
Mount Lavinia has historic charm and is a satellite beach suburb south of Colombo. You will pass through here on the train heading south. Some think of it as the “posh” part of Sri Lanka.
The colonial style Mount Lavinia Hotel, set on a promontory overlooking the ocean is undoubtedly the place to be in Mount Lavinia.
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