5 Stunning Beaches in Sri Lanka - Discover Beautiful Beaches from the East Coast to the West

One of the best and most stunning beaches in Sri Lanka is the Pasikudah Beach. Located around thirty-five kilometers away from Batticoloa, the Pasikudah beach boasts of calm and serene waters which one can wade into for nearly a kilometer into the ocean. The shallow waters are ideal for relaxation as well as swimming and snorkeling.

Located in the district of Matara within the Southern Province, Mirissa is a small coastal town which used to be well known as a fishing port. However, during the last few years, Mirissa has also gained a reputation as a tourist hotspot and a number of star class hotels in Mirissa Sri Lanka have been established in order to cater to this demand. Mirissa can be accessed by the Southern Expressway as well as the Mirissa railway station and is well known for its beach, whale and dolphin watching as well as its cultural and religious attractions. The Mirissa beach is considered to be safer and cleaner than the beaches in Colombo and those who are residing in accommodation such as Mandara Resort Mirissa can opt to get some of the best views of the beach from Rock Island, and the Ratnagiri hilltop temple.

Another beach that is easily accessible from Colombo is the Dickwella Beach. Like Mirissa, Dickwella is located in the district of Matara within the Southern Province, though closer to the district of Hambantota than that of Galle. This beach is quite long and sandy and is considered to be quite safe for swimming because it is protected by sand bars and reefs. The Beach also hosts headlands from where visitors can snorkel. The Dickwella beach is less crowded than most of the other beaches along the southern coast. There is also a backroad that connects Dikwella to the Hiriketiya Bay. Those who visit Dikwella can also visit the Dickwella Lace Centre in order to learn more about the local industries.

Hikkaduwa is a prominent coastal town located before Galle and which is easily accessible from both the Galle Road as well as the Southern Expressway. Though the Hikkaduwa beach is one of the most crowded beaches on the southern coastal belt, it is still considered to be one of the best surfing spots in the island. The town is also home to the Hikkaduwa Coral Sanctuary which was greatly affected due to the 2004 tsunami that ravaged most of the Sri Lankan coast. The Hikkaduwa Bay is one of the best places for a safe swim, but tourists should keep an eye out for undercurrents which can be quite strong at times.

Unarguably one of the best beaches in the country, Arugam Bay is especially well known for surfing. It is best visited between march and October because during this period, the waters and the currents are surfer friendly. Those who visit Arugam Bay will also be able to visit the Elephant Rock and enjoy a serene birds-eye view of Arugam Bay, the Hulannuga Caves as well as the Pottuvil Lagoon.