Beaches of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is a land of Sun and Sand. Over one thousand kilometers of palm- fringed sandy beaches encircle the Island. The beach resorts are scattered all over the country and offer a range of destinations to chose from. Srilanka is never out of the season for a beach holiday and some part of the country always offer warm and friendly waters. It is an ideal location to relax and unwind.

Ambalangoda
Ambalangoda-situated near the famous resort of Bentota-is 86 km from Colombo. Ambalangoda has a beautiful white sandy beach. The town is famous as the home of devil dancing and mask making. Devil dancing is an important part of the culture of Sri Lanka.

Arugam Bay
Arugam Bay is a fishing village, located 314 km to the east of Colombo. The town has a sweeping beach and a beautiful bay that is good for surfing. Arugam bay offers numerous possibilities for water sports and underwater photography. The many shipwrecks of the coast offer a tempting challenge to the divers.

Batticaloa
Situated at a distance of 314 km from Colombo, Batticaloa is famous for its 'Singing Fish' and picturesque lagoon. On full moon nights a faint but distinct musical sound rises from the lagoon waters. This is attributed to a noise emanated by a kind of fish found in the lagoon. A Dutch Fort near the lagoon is another tourist attraction.

Bentota
Bentota is a famous beach resort at a distance of 62 km to the south of Colombo. Located at the junction of Bentota River and the sea the place offers plenty of water sport opportunities such as windsurfing, water-skiing and catamaran rides. The best time to visit Bentota is between October and April,

Beruwala
Located at 58 km south of Colombo, Beruwala takes an hour's drive from Colombo to reach. Beruwela marks the beginning of 130 km stretch of South Coast beach resort. It is located close to the famous tourist spot of Bentota. Beruwela is the first Muslim settlement in Sri Lanka, established by the Arab traders in 8th century AD.

Hikkaduwa
Located 98 km south of Colombo, Hikkaduwa is one of the most popular beach resorts of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka's only marine sanctuary is located here. It is an ideal place for nature lovers with its abundant corals and tropical fishes. Hikkaduwa has something to offer to everyone-coral for snorkellers,

Kalkudah
Kalkudah & Passekudah are two very fine beaches in the East Coast. Kalkudah Bay, a 2 km long wide stretch of beach-located 32 km north of Batticaloa-is well protected from the monsoon by an off shore reef. Passekudah Bay is another wide beach 4 km long, just south of Kalkudah.

Mt. Lavinia
Twelve kilometers from Colombo, on the road to Galle, is the beach resort of Mt. Lavinia. It lies alongside a wind-swept headland jutting into the waters of the Indian Ocean. With its white sand and calm waves, Mt. Lavinia is a popular bathing spot.

Negombo
Located at a distance of 37 km from Colombo and mere 6 km from International Airport, Negombo is a traditional fishing town of Sri Lanka. Wide sandy beaches and the safe sea attract tourists to Negombo. The town has several buildings that date back to the Dutch and Portuguese colonial era.

Nilaveli
Nilaveli-situated at a distance of 271 km from Colombo-is a prime beach resort on the East coast. The beach has ample water sports facilities including fishing and sea angling. Nilaveli is ideally suited for sun bathing and diving. A few metres from the coast is a small rocky island good for snorkeling.

Trincomalee
Situated 250 km from the capital Colombo, Trincomalee is a natural harbor. Horatio Nelson, the British admiral of the 18th century had described Trincomalee as the finest harbor in the world. Trincomalee offers some of the best sea bathing in the country. In the northern stretch of 'Trinco', known as Nilaweli,

Unawatuna
Unawatuna, near Galle is a beautiful wide curving golden beach. The beach has been acclaimed amongst 12 best beaches in the world. There is a reef protecting the beach, which makes it safe for bathing. Rumasssala, a rocky outcrop projecting into the sea at Unawatuna is connected to the legend of Ramayana.

Weligama
Weligama literally means 'Sandy Village'. The name is given because of its sandy sweep bay. Situated in Matara district at a distance of 143 km from Colombo, Weligama is a quiet fishing town, away from the hustle and bustle of the city.