Joanna James
Sri Lanka is blessed with some of the most beautiful strips of coastline in the entirety of Asia. In fact, there are so many amazing locations to choose from that you might even have trouble deciding. So, if that's the case, here are the top five must-visit beaches in Sri Lanka.
Lying in-between the major cities of Colombo and Galle, the Bentota beach is an excellent destination for an impromptu road trip. After all, there's plenty of Sri Lanka car rental services to choose from – for example there's Malkey Rent a Car – so just pick a vehicle and head on over to Bentota! The beach itself is surrounded by calm lagoons that are perfect for all manner of water sports. So, if you're in the mood for some jet skiing or kayaking, this is the place to be in Sri Lanka. You can even arrange for a fun boat tour through the surrounding mangrove forests and spot some fascinating wildlife along the way.
All the way at the southern end of Sri Lanka's east coast is where you'll find the quaint little town of Arugam Bay. The picturesque beachfront that borders the village was originally put on the map by surfers who flocked to ride the waves down here. Since then, Arugam Bay has continued to be a beacon for beach-goers all over Sri Lanka – whether you're looking to dive right into the riptide or just want to enjoy the scenic views on offer. Interestingly, the local population has strongly opposed the construction of major hotels in this region – but don't let that deter you. There's plenty of charming lodgings to choose from here, and the lack of major buildings adds to the authenticity of this quiet beachside getaway.
Some of Sri Lanka's best beaches are found on the island's south coast – Mirissa is one of them. Here the beach is made up of sand so fine that simply walking across the coast is a treat all by itself. The beach itself is fringed with shady palm groves that are perfect for exploration and sever as a great hideaway when the sun reaches its zenith. Mirissa's biggest draw is its resident whale population, as oceanic giants like the blue whale, sperm whale, and humpback whale are regularly spotted off in the distant waters that surround the beach. December to April is considered the best time to go whale watching here; it's when you'll get to see spectacular sights like whales breaching and waving their tail flukes out of the water.
Uppulveli Beach is found just a few miles north of Trincomalee. This is one of the best beach locations in Sri Lanka if you're looking for some quiet seclusion. Since it's off the beaten track, very few crowds ever gather here, so you can put your feet up and be alone with just the sounds and smells of the ocean. If you're an ardent scuba-diver, you can also dive right in and explore the fringing coral reefs off the shore as well.
Unawatuna is another great beach found on the South Coast and is a contender for the most popular beach in Sri Lanka. Here the beach is as lively as can be – you'll often find the locals coming down to enjoy themselves as the oceanic sunset begins to form. You can go exploring along with the palm forests that border the beach. If you follow the set path here, you might even be able to climb the hill overlooking Unawatuna that's crowned with a stunning Buddhist pagoda.
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