Fixed-Departure tours, Tailor-made tours and Excursions
Mirissa, Matara District
Mirissa beach would have claim enough to feature on your itinerary, with a host of restaurants ready to bring a cold beer to your hammock or a barbecued lobster to tables set up on the golden sand. Factor in its offshore visitors and a stay here becomes pretty much compulsory. In February and March blue whales migrate along the coast, and plenty of whale-watching trips depart from here to see them.
Uppuveli, Trincomalee District
The wide sandy beaches on Sri Lanka’s east coast aren’t solely the preserve of tourists, and that’s a big part of their appeal. Local fishermen push their colourful wooden boats into the Indian Ocean from the beach just as sun-worshippers set up camp for the day between swaying palms or play volleyball on the white sands. Once the sun sets, all activity switches to the few laid-back beach bars.
Koggala, Galle District
All along the south coast you’ll spot tall poles sticking out of the surf a few metres from the shore. These belong to Sri Lanka’s stilt fishermen, who once perched on them to reel in their catch. They tend to earn more money from tourists now, accepting a few rupees to clamber up for a photo opportunity, but it is still an evocative sight. Koggala, a curving, boulder-strewn sweep of sand, is a good place to see them.
Nilaveli, Trincomalee District
The small beach resort of Nilaveli is an excellent place to escape to for a few days, with a broad stretch of white sand lapped by turquoise waters, and a few low-key amenities. It all feels blissfully unspoilt. A prime reason to make the journey here is to take boat trips out to Pigeon Island National Park, with the chance to dive and snorkel among turtles and 300 species of fish over its coral reef.
Kosgada, Galle District
The sight of thousands of newly hatched baby turtles frantically dashing to the ocean is one you’re unlikely to forget. There are many beaches in Sri Lanka where turtles nest, but Kosgada on the west coast is the one to head to for a more organised experience. There’s a small conservation centre and hatchery here, and you can witness the release of baby green sea turtles during hatching season from November to May.
Kalpitiya, Puttalam District
Kalpitiya, on the west coast, is an excellent choice if you’d like some water sports with your beach holiday. The sport in question is kite-surfing, and there are plenty of outfitters ready to help you launch across the waves, whatever your experience level. The winds are strongest from May to September. Between November and April, come to see a different life-form enjoying the water: boat trips head out into the ocean to track thousands of dolphins frolicking off shore.
Arugam Bay, Ampara District
If what you crave is some laid-back surf culture, there’s no better place to hang out for a few days than Arugam Bay on the east coast. The breaks here are widely considered to be Sri Lanka’s best, and draw surfers from around the world from April through September. Out of the water, chilled-out bars and restaurants, affordable accommodation and frequent beach parties make the resort a popular place with backpackers.
Passikuda, Batticaloa District
For two incredible beaches for the price of one, book into a hotel at Passikuda. Expect good, safe swimming, with calm shallow waters edging a crescent of white sand dotted with palm trees. There has been development here in recent years, with an emphasis on largely sympathetic, low-rise hotels. Keep walking south along the beach and you’ll arrive at Kalkudah, a similarly blissful tract of sand, but much quieter than its northern neighbour.
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