Trincomalee
Trincomalee is a place where ancient Hindu temples crown headlands above a deep-water bay that has fascinated seafarers and colonisers for two millennia. The Koneswaram Temple offers one of the most breathtaking settings, with the ocean visible in every direction far below. The city’s surrounding waters shelter hot springs, whale sharks and spectacular coral gardens, […]
Hikkaduwa
Hikkaduwa, with its coral reefs, surf breaks and beachside cafes, has long attracted a devoted international following. The National Marine Sanctuary protects an impressive coral garden just metres from the shore, where sea turtles glide through the shallows with ease and colourful reef fish dart between formations. Glass-bottomed boat rides, snorkelling and scuba diving are […]
Nilaveli
Nilaveli is a long, uninterrupted stretch of powdery white sand on the northeast coast, facing a calm sea of clarity. The area is best visited between May and September, when the east coast basks in sunshine while the rest of the island experiences its monsoon season. Just a short boat ride offshore lies Pigeon Island […]
Tangalle
Tangalle is a sequence of sweeping bays, rocky coves and beaches that stretch along the shoreline in a succession of quiet, compelling beauty. Tangalle retains a distinctly local character, its fishing harbour busy with daily activity and its surrounding landscape rich with jungle, lagoon and rock formations. The beaches here – Medaketiya, Rekawa and Marakolliya […]
Kalpitiya
Kalpitiya is where kite surfers cut across turquoise lagoons and vast pods of spinner dolphins arc through open waters just offshore. The area is one of the most important marine ecosystems, sheltering dugongs, dolphins, whales and a variety of birdlife within its mangrove-fringed lagoons and sandbar archipelagos. The Dutch Bay and Bar Reef Marine Sanctuary […]
Mirissa
Mirissa is a small, crescent-shaped bay cradled by palm-fringed headlands where the pace of life slows to the rhythm of the waves. The beach attracts a mixed crowd: surfers seeking the reliable break at the western end, couples lingering over sunset cocktails, and wildlife enthusiasts who come for the world-famous whale-watching season that runs from […]
Pasikuda
Pasikuda is a vast, calm lagoon where the sea remains waist-deep for hundreds of metres offshore, making it inviting for families and swimmers of all abilities. The water here shimmers in shades of turquoise and aquamarine that seem almost impossibly vivid, framed by a clean arc of white sand and a horizon that stretches into […]
Negombo
Negombo lagoon is the lifeblood of a centuries-old fishing community whose brightly painted boats and traditional lace-making workshops define the town’s distinctive coastal identity. The Dutch Canal winds through the town’s historic quarters, flanked by colonial-era churches and colourful markets, offering a fascinating glimpse into Sri Lanka’s layered past. Negombo’s beach provides a pleasant setting […]
Arugam Bay
Arugam Bay has earned its place on the world surfing map with consistent point breaks that draw wave riders from across the globe every season. The bay itself is a crescent of relaxed, sun-drenched beauty – dotted with laid-back cafes, beachside huts and an unhurried atmosphere that has made it a beloved haven for independent […]
Bentota
Bentota is Sri Lanka’s premier beach resort destination, a graceful stretch of golden shoreline where the Bentota River meets the Indian Ocean in a spectacular natural confluence. The beach here is wide, calm and ideal for water sports, while the lagoon behind it shelters one of the island’s richest networks of mangrove ecosystems. Luxury resorts, […]