Sri Lanka is home to countless stunning beaches that are simply perfect for any beach lover. Whether you’re dreaming of a quiet beach all to yourself, a lively beachfront with restaurants and bars, or a place to catch some waves or swim with turtles, Sri Lanka has it all. With so many options, it can be tough to decide where to go. That’s why we’ve put together a guide to the 9 best beaches in Sri Lanka, helping you find your perfect match in no time.
1. Silent Beach, Tangalle
Silent Beach in Tangalle is undoubtedly one of Sri Lanka’s most beautiful beaches. Its beautiful white sand, crystal clear water, and endless rows of gently swaying palm trees create a picturesque scene. We think it’s a great beach to go to if you want to have a beach day. Just bring a towel and some food and drinks, and you are all set! If you didn’t bring any drinks or food, you might be out of luck if you were looking to spend a full day here. There aren’t any actual bars located on the beach, and the only occupant of Silent Beach is a 5-star resort. We also want to mention that it isn’t the easiest beach to get to, since it is so secluded. Fear not, any knowledgeable tuktuk driver will know where to bring you when you say the words “Silent Beach”.
We were lucky enough to experience Silent Beach at sunset, and it was such a magical experience! The colors painted across the sky were breathtaking, and the whole scene felt like something out of a postcard. Silent Beach is the perfect place for a romantic evening walk along the beach, creating memories that will stay with you forever. They sure stuck with us! If you only come here for a limited time, make it a sunset-visit.
2. Thalpe Beach, Thalpe
Thalpe Beach, also known as Rock Pool Beach, is unlike any other beach you’ve seen in Sri Lanka. Heck, it’s probably unlike any other beach you’ll ever see! What makes it special? Well, imagine having your very own ocean pool! That’s right, this beach has unique rectangular rock pools carved out from the coral reef. Pretty awesome if you ask us! We found it such a cool sight, and we are so happy that we came across Thalpe Beach on our Dickwella adventures. Just be careful, those rocks can be sharp. Wearing water shoes is a good idea. Also, Thalpe Beach is still a bit of a hidden gem. When we went, it was all ours to enjoy! It’s definitely worth checking out before it gets too busy.
Good to know
Most parking spots in the area will ask for a parking fee. This can be anything between 50 LKR and 300 LKR, depending on where you park and the type of vehicle. If you are looking for a free alternative, you can always park your scooter on the side of the road!
3. Jungle Beach, Unawatuna
When it comes to picking the perfect beach in Sri Lanka, Jungle Beach wins hands down. We are still raving about it, even though we left Sri Lanka quite some time ago. It truly felt like a hidden paradise!
While the beach isn’t huge, it’s incredibly picturesque with palm trees, crystal clear water, and a trendy beach bar. What more could you ask for? We visited Jungle Beach on a weekend and there were just a handful of locals and tourists. It wasn’t too crowded, with just the right amount of people. We loved spending a peaceful morning here and taking a refreshing swim in the blue ocean water. The feeling we had here was also something we never experienced before. On one hand, you are surrounded by a wall of green jungle. When you look at the other side, all you can see is crystal clear water! This beautiful mix of different nature is really something else.
The only thing we must say is that getting there isn’t a walk in the park. To reach this magical place, you have to trek through the jungle for a bit. Perhaps that’s how it got its fitting name, “Jungle Beach”?
4. Dalawella Beach, Unawatuna
Dalawella Beach in Unawatuna is a trendy beach packed with cool restaurants and rope swings for some extra fun. One of the coolest things about this beach? You can often catch sight of turtles without even needing snorkeling gear! During our quick dip in the water, we spotted two turtles poking their heads above the surface within just five minutes. So cute! While there’s a designated snorkeling area, it can get pretty crowded, so we decided to skip it. We already spotted multiple turtles during our first plunges in the sea, and were more looking for a relaxing afternoon.
However, it’s important to stay cautious here as the waves can be really powerful. When we visited, we witnessed a close call where someone nearly drowned. Thankfully, Kelvin was there to save the day! He managed to pull the confused Russian guy out of the water after Kelvin heard his cries for help. Following the incident, a red flag was placed in that area, prohibiting swimming to prevent further accidents. So be prepared and don’t go too deep if you are not an experienced swimmer! One moment you will feel safe because you can feel the bottom of the ocean with your feet. The next moment you realize that you are 100 meters deep in the sea with nothing to stand on.
5. Turtle Beach, Mirissa
Turtle Beach is a must-visit spot for snorkeling enthusiasts. Here, you can glide through the water alongside turtles and fish. Renting snorkel gear for just a few euros allowed us to have an unforgettable experience swimming with these majestic creatures. It was truly unbelievable! We also spotted lots of fish, including a whole school of fish swimming by. Seeing (what feels like) thousands of fish swim less than a meter in front of you is such a surreal feeling. We were so happy we bought a GoPro for this, it made the whole experience so much better. It’s like you are reliving the same beautiful moments when rewatching the footage.
While swimming with turtles and admiring marine life is an incredible experience, it’s crucial to remember to treat wildlife with respect. Please remember not to touch the turtles or any other animals. Let’s respect these incredible creatures and enjoy their beauty from a distance! We saw a lot of tourists and children try to touch the turtles, but luckily there were more people who tried to put a halt to that.
6. Secret Beach, Mirissa
Even though Secret Beach isn’t much of a secret these days, it still feels like a secluded island paradise! Nestled away from the main stretch in Mirissa, it takes a bit of effort to find, which means fewer people tend to visit. That’s probably how it earned the name “Secret Beach”.
The journey to the beach is quite an adventure, with lots of small, bumpy roads to navigate. But don’t worry, once you see the blue signs for “Secret Beach”, you know you are on the right track! Arrive early, and you might just have the whole place to yourself. While the beach isn’t huge, it’s incredibly beautiful, adding to its charm. There are even two beach bars with sunbeds (and good music) available. Secret Beach is the perfect spot to soak up the sun, go for a swim, do some snorkeling, and simply unwind in this hidden gem of a paradise.
Good to know
You don’t have to pay for sunbeds, but you’re expected to order some food from the restaurant associated with the sunbed you choose. We each treated ourselves to a delicious banana split, and voila, we had complimentary access to the sunbeds all day long! An amazing deal if you ask us.
7. Blue Beach Island, Dickwella
Blue Beach Island provides stunning ocean views and a really unique beach experience. It’s definitely in our top 3 beaches in Sri Lanka for sure! Whether you choose to climb the island for spectacular views or simply enjoy the peacefulness of the private beach below, there’s something for everyone.
At the island’s base, you’ll discover a stretch of sandy beach with the ocean on both sides. Talk about the ultimate private beach vibe! We just laid our towels on the sand and had the whole place to ourselves. Really cool. Don’t forget your snorkeling gear as well, since you can find lots of colorful fish here. It was so fun to spot these little guys in the water! Oh, and a word to the wise: pack some water shoes to protect yourself from the sea urchins lurking in the shallows. Trust us, you’ll want to avoid stepping on one of those little guys! These sea urchins are predominantly found in the waters on the right side of the island. It pays off to exercise extra caution when swimming or exploring in that area.
Also, you can find one beach bar here that offers food and drinks at very reasonable prices. We didn’t eat here, but we heard that their barbecue menu is especially good!
8. Hiriketiya Beach, Dickwella
Hiriketiya Beach is a surfer’s dream come true. Whether you’re a pro or just starting out, this beach has something for everyone. You can rent a surfboard or sign up for lessons to catch some waves. While we didn’t try surfing ourselves, we had a blast soaking up the sun and watching the surfers do their thing. It was really cool to see all these people conquering the waves. We’ll admit it, it almost convinced us to rent a surfboard as well! We stayed here until the sun went down, and witnessed the most fiery sunset in Sri Lanka. There are plenty of restaurants and bars nearby, so you’ll never go hungry or thirsty. One thing’s for sure: you won’t be bored at Hiriketiya Beach with its lively atmosphere!
9. Talalla Beach, Talalla
If you’re looking for a quiet beach, look no further than Talalla Beach. You won’t find fancy beach bars or bustling restaurants here. Instead, imagine a peaceful sandy beach with just a few sunbeds. Compared to other beaches in Sri Lanka, Talalla has fewer visitors, so you’ll have plenty of space to relax without feeling crowded. Whether you’re sunbathing, strolling along the shore, or listening to the waves, Talalla Beach is a peaceful escape from everyday life.
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