Polhena beach, Matara
This is one of safest beaches in Sri Lanka. And Polhena is very rich with its beauty as well. This is located away from the Colombo, in down south close to Matara. This beach is very safe because of the coral reef lying bit away from the shore. All the big waves crash on this reef and only a small wave in colour of white is finally washing the sand of the beach. This look like a small lake connected to the sea from a side. Polhena is very famous among the local guests more than foreign people as I think. However I must say this is one of the best beaches in Sri Lanka.
More Bathing Places
River at Sinharaja Rain Forest
I’ll mention few more places where you can have a safe and great experience.
• Dehenwaka (Thalduwa – Dehiowota – few kms in Eheliyagoda route)
• The Bodhinagala or Dombagaskanda reservation in Ingiriya
• Thudugala ella at Kaluthara.
• Kiriella water fall in Ingiriya (Panadura- Rathnapura Road)
• Panawala – Watawala
• Sinharaja Rain Forest – There is a natural bathing spot close to Kudawa Camp
• There are many beaches where you can have a safe sea bath. Eg Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna,
How to reach these bathing places?
Safety Advice on Natual Bathing in Rivers, Lakes and Sea:
Note that though lots of people bath and swim in these places, water level may change from time to time, and shallow water can deepen suddenly. Hence, if you, your children or your friends cannot swim make sure you keep inside shallow areas. Also you have to be careful when walking on the slippery rocks in the rivers.
According to the Life Saving Association of Sri Lanka (LSASL), Sri Lanka has one of the highest drowning rates in the world, with more than three deaths a day. Lakes were reported as the key locations for drowning incidents in Sri Lanka, followed by sea.
There are 14 main points where a majority of drowning incidents occurred. They are, Matara, Mirissa, Galle, Hikkaduwa, Beruwala, Kalutara, Panadura, Dehiwela, Mt Lavinia, Wellawatta, Galle Face Green, Negombo and Nilaveli.
Swimming/ Bathing and Alcohol Use
Most cases of drowning came from recreational activity, with holidaymakers at the sea, tanks or rivers, who completely ignored basic safety measures. Swimming or bathing under the influence of liquor has been one of the main causes leading to drowning.
Police are constantly visit some of these swimming places as drinking in public is illegal.
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