Joanna James
As one of Asia's best loved beach holiday destinations, Sri Lanka is home to a number of spectacular beaches. Here are 5 top notch beaches every visitor must experience during a vacation.
Often regarded as one of the best places to stay in Sri Lanka for a short beach holiday, Bentota is the arguably the most accessible seaside hamlet on the island. As one of the top beaches on the western coast, Bentota Beach in combination with Bentota lagoon create an irresistible combination for travellers based in Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts in Colombo and the southern reaches. Revered as a water sports Mecca for the masses, some of the main beachside activities one can enjoy in the area include jet skiing and kayaking while boat trips on the Madu Ganga are also popular among seasoned visitors.,
Occupying the southern coast of Sri Lanka, Mirissa Beach is perhaps best known as a dolphin and a whale watching hotspot in the island nation. As a more tranquil beach paradise that's not as crowded or as congested as other southern beaches, the whale watching excursions in the area are conducted during the months of the year when blue whales and sperm whales are known to migrate across the Indian Ocean. Dubbed the Whale Watching Capital of Sri Lanka, those who wish to engage in this once in a lifetime excursion can sign up for an early morning tour conducted by the Sri Lanka navy or a private tour operator.
This crescent shaped beach in Sri Lanka has been the subject of a number of local folklores due to its pristine appearance and unusual shape. Regarded by locals as a patch of paradise that once belonged to Mount Meru but was mistakenly dropped by Hanuman of Ramayana fame, Unawatuna is as magical as its legendary associations. Another reason for Unawatuna's popularity is the wide variety of water bound activities available in the area as well as the many cultural attractions located within close range of the beach. This includes the Rumassala Mountain with its hiking trails and the Japanese Peace Pagoda.
As one of the newest beaches to enter the fray, Arugam Bay remained inaccessible for over three decades due to the civil war in Sri Lanka. Idyllic and breathtaking, Arugam Bay is an unspoiled piece of paradise for the masses but remains one of the more remote beaches on the island due to its location on the north eastern coast. Having hosted countless international surfing competitions since it was reopened to the public after the end of the war; Arugam Bay boasts perfect conditions for the wave riding activity.
Famed for the Hikka Beach Fest and other local beach events, Hikkaduwa beach is a thriving beach holiday hub for the young and restless. The clear watered beaches of Hikkaduwa are fringed with coral reefs, making the beach a prime location for glass bottom boat excursions. Offering travellers the chance to experience a host of water sports activities, Hikkaduwa's seafood cuisine and batik shops make the beach hotspot a beloved seaside day trip location for locals and tourists.
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