THE BEST BEACHES IN SRI LANKA’S SOUTH COAST

If you are looking for a beautiful beach destination that is not too crowded and is reasonably priced, may I suggest Sri Lanka? This guide is all about beach hopping on Sri Lanka’s southern coast and exploring some of the pristine and beautiful beaches that the country has to offer. Read on to find out how to plan a trip here and discover all the best beaches in Sri Lanka !

INTRO TO SRI LANKA AND ITS TROPICAL ISLAND STATUS

WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT THE SOUTH COAST BEACHES IN SRI LANKA

The beautiful beaches in Sri Lanka’s south coast were a secret for a long time. But as the country slowly developed tourism in the early 2000s, travelers were exposed to the beauty of these pristine, undeveloped, bohemian beaches. And while tourism might have led to development and some amount of commercialization, it’s still possible to find your own little slice of paradise in the form of an empty stretch of white sand looking out into the endless blue Indian ocean.

The South coast stretches all the way from Galle in the west to Tangalle in the east: a distance of around 80 kms. The biggest beach towns in this stretch are Galle, Unawatuna and Mirissa. Each of these places has it’s own attractions and I am going to talk about all the best beaches there along with a few other not so well known ones.

The best part of Sri Lanka’s south coast is that it has beaches and vibes to suit every type of traveler. Whether you are a solo traveler looking for some surf action, a couple on a honeymoon or on a family vacation, there’s something here for everyone!

WHEN TO VISIT SRI LANKA’S SOUTH COAST

HOW TO GET TO SRI LANKA’S SOUTH COAST FROM COLOMBO

BY TRAIN: There is direct train running between Colombo to Matara, that also makes a stop at Galle. Get off at Galle to proceed towards Unawatuna by a local bus or tuk tuk. To get to Mirissa, get off the train at Matara station and catch a local bus/tuk-tuk to reach Mirissa.

BY TAXI: If you have some money to spare, taking a taxi/uber is a far more comfortable option to reach your destination directly. Taxis can cost between 8-10k LKR from Colombo airport to reach Unawatuna, Galle or Mirissa hotels.

GETTING AROUND THE SOUTH COAST

THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN SRI LANKA’S SOUTH COAST

BEACH HOPPING IN THE SOUTH COAST: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO ALL THE BEST BEACHES IN SRI LANKA

1. UNAWATUNA

Unawatuna is one of the most popular beach towns of Sri Lanka and a very convenient first stop for your beach hopping itinerary thanks to its abundance of shops, restaurants and hotels. This makes it perfect for families or first-time travelers to get eased into the southern coast. It is also one of the few places in Sri Lanka with something of a nightlife with the main strip filled with plenty of small pubs, shacks and restaurants offering happy hours. Though it has become more touristy and commercial over the years, Unawatuna has some beautiful beaches that deserve a visit.

BEACHES

Unawatuna Beach: This is probably one of the most popular and touristy beaches in Sri Lanka’s south coast. The beach is a long stretch of golden sand and blue waters and is perfect for swimming or relaxing. It’s a good option for families who want all the facilities present in one beach. There is a small pagoda located on the Northern end of the beach that makes for a good walk along the coastline. Unawatuna beach is also a good dinner spot as there are many eating shacks on the beach post sunset.

Dalawella Beach/Vijaya Beach: Next on the list is Dalawella beach of the Instagram famous ‘swinging shot’ fame! It’s unbelievable how much a single Instagram shot can change a country’s fortunes but that’s what the iconic shot did for Sri Lankan tourism. It is located only 1.5 kms from the main beach and is actually pretty, especially at sunset and more suited for couples. To add the famous shot to your Instagram grid, head to Dream cabanas and try your luck. Cost: 500 LKR for 3 attempts. Best time to visit: mid-morning or at sunset.

MIHIRIPENNA BEACH: Another quieter beach only 10 mins from Unawatuna beach, Mihiripenna beach is perfect if you want to escape the tourist crowds and have some peace and quiet for yourself. The water is clean and good for swimming.

JUNGLE BEACH: Definitely one of the most unique beaches in Sri Lanka! Visiting Jungle beach truly feels like an adventure! Tucked inside a jungle on the foothills of the Russmala hills, lies the semi hidden bay called Jungle beach. It is less crowded than Unawatuna beach as it’s not the most convenient to reach, but is fairly popular among locals. Hop onto a tuk tuk which will drop you near the Japanese peace pagoda from where we had to hike 10-15 mins to reach the beach. The water is pretty and nice for swimming. Do remember that the trail gets dark post sunset, so I would suggest visiting Jungle beach in the mornings or afternoon only.

Another place to see in Unawatuna is the impressive Japanese peace pagoda. For more on where to stay, where to eat and other things to do, read my complete Unawatuna travel guide here.

2. GALLE

Galle is located only 6 kms from Unawatuna and it takes 10-15 mins to reach there by tuk tuk, easily making it the next stop on your beach hopping itinerary. The city boasts of the beautiful UNESCO heritage site, the Galle fort which is a melting pot of various cultures thanks to Portugese, Dutch, British and Sri Lankan influences. Galle fort gives off some serious European vibes with a diverse array of food and architecture in the form of charming alleys, beautiful churches and other old impressive monuments. Today, the old buildings have all been renovated and converted into trendy art galleries, shops and restaurants making Galle fort a vibrant place for explorations.

BEACHES:

While Galle technically does not have a beach to it’s name, its close to some of the popular Sri Lankan beaches all located within a 3-5 km radius. The best ones include Unawatuna beach, Dalawella/Vijaya beach, Mihiripenna beach and Koggala beach. It’s easy enough to visit all of them on a tuk tuk or bus from Galle fort.

WHAT ELSE TO SEE

Make sure to check out the Galle Fort along with it’s iconic lighthouse as it’s the main attraction in Galle. Also stay around to watch the stunning sunset from the fort walls. Read about the best things to do in Galle Fort here.

3. MIRISSA

From Galle, hop onto a bus, tuk-tuk or taxi to move onto the next stop on this coastal itinerary: Mirissa. This beautiful beach town is a great example of the bohemian and not too commercial beaches that made Sri Lanka popular among backpackers and started the tourism wave in this country. It was my personal favorite because it had plenty of activities to suit all kinds of travelers. If you want to base yourself in one place without hopping around, I would suggest Mirissa as the perfect base. It is situated almost midway between Galle on the west and Tangalle on the east, and it’s easy to visit all the places listed here as day trips from Mirissa.

BEACHES

MIRISSA BEACH: You will be spoilt for choice here as Mirissa has quite a few good ones. First of all, there’s the main Mirissa beach which is a good all rounder beach in Sri Lanka that suits everyone. It’s a beautiful, clean and long sandy beach with a smattering of beach shacks on the western end. The waves are good for swimming and surfing making it a favourite spot for surfers and families with children. Towards the eastern end of the beach lies the famous ‘ Parrot Rock’ and further east lies the popular instagram spot, Coconut tree hill.

SECRET BEACH: Next there’s the Secret beach which is no longer a secret these days. This beach is the most beautiful beach I saw in Sri Lanka with stunning photogenic landscapes all around. Its perfect for an early morning swim or for viewing the sunset. There are so many different parts of this beach: rock pools with crystal clear waters, one part of the beach is lined with pam trees. It’s easy to find a quiet spot away from everyone and forget the world. To reach this beach, hop onto a tuk-tuk which will drop you at a particular point. From there, it’s a 5-7 mins walk up to the Secret beach bar which is the entry point of the Secret beach. Entry to the beach is free.

WELIGAMA BAY: Popular as the surf capital of Sri Lanka, Weligama is a bustling beach town that is located only 8 kms from Mirissa. The town center is filled with lots of trendy cafes and restaurants and has something of a hipster vibe. The beach here (Cape Weligama and Weligama beach), along with it’s two neighbouring communities of Midigama and Ahangama are famous for surfing: for both beginners and more advanced surfers. Its easy to visit from Mirissa via a bus or tuk tuk (500LKR) takes only 15 mins.

TIP: Have a delicious seafood dinner at one of the beach shacks lined up with displays of fresh seafood. The most famous among them is Fish point.

TALALLAH BEACH: Located only 20 mins away, this vast beach is flanked by palm trees and has beautiful water. It is quiet and a good place to relax. Be careful while swimming here as the waves can get rough.

POLHENA BAY/ TURTLE BAY: Polhena Bay is known for the high density of turtles that are found in the shallow waters. It is located opposite the famous ‘Doctor’s House’ in Madiha. Combine a visit to the beach with dinner and a party there.

WHAT ELSE TO SEE

There are too many things to see and do in Mirissa but one of the best ones is going off on a whale watching trip! Mirissa is internationally famous for whale watching, so if you are visiting from November to April, grab the chance to see whales in the wild.

Read about the 20 Best things to do in Mirissa in my complete guide.

4. HIRIKETIYA

If you came to Sri Lanka looking for the laidback life, Hiriketiya is the place for you! This horse shoe shaped bay, tucked away inside a jungle of palm trees like a hidden paradise is the ultimate relaxing beach destination in Sri Lanka. Hiriketiya (or Hiri) still has that raw, untouched feel to it, despite having  gained a reputation as a backpacker haven with yoga on the beach, surfing, cafes serving acai bowls and a co-working space for digital nomads. Located only 35 kms from Mirissa, it is a 1 hour ride by bus or tuk-tuk.

BEACHES

HIRIKETIYA BAY: Hiriketiya bay is without a doubt, one of the best beaches in Sri Lanka! Beautiful with palm trees lining up the small bay that boasts of clear water. The beach is not very wide but is perfect for swimming and surfing. In fact, Hiriketiya is one of the best surfing destinations of Sri Lanka after Weligama. Surf board rentals begin at 300 LKR per hour. If you are not into surfing, grab a sunbed or chair at one of the shacks lined up on the beach that serve delicious cocktails. There’s music blasting from the shacks and a general chill vibe that pervades the air here. As the beach is tucked away from the main highway road, it really gives off the feeling of an isolated island paradise. Stay around to catch the stunning sunset.

DICKWELLA BEACH: The main beach of Dickwella town is located only 5 mins from Hiriketiya bay. The beach is longer and wider with several beach bars. There are also quite a few rope swings here for photo opportunities. The town itself has more accommodation options and shops than Hiriketiya.

BLUE BEACH AT NILWELLA: This tiny beach is located at Nilwella fishing village, around 1.5 kms from Dickwella. The small beach is tucked between 2 bays lying opposite to each other with rocky outcrops into the water. The water is beautiful and it’s a good place to swim and relax away from the crowds.

5. TANGALLE

The last stop in this South coast beach guide is Tangalle. Located 20 kms further east from Hiriketiya, Tangalle is known for it’s cluster of wide, expansive, sandy beaches that are quiet and a bit isolated. Being the farthest from Colombo means less number of tourists and this has kept the beaches pristine and unspoilt. The beaches here will probably be the least crowded ones in Sri Lanka and are perfect if you want to just relax and forget the world for a little bit. Tangalle also has some of the best luxury resorts in the country like Anantara Resort and Amanwella.

BEACHES

SILENT BEACH: One of the most beautiful beaches in Sri Lanka with a wide expanse of white sand, crystal clear waters and palm trees. It is very quiet and there are no beach bars/shacks here. So bring your own snacks. Part of the beach houses the exclusive Amanwella resort and you might find a few of their guests lazing around. When we visited, this vast beach was completely empty, a sight that is rare in a Sri Lankan beach these days! It is only 5 mins by bus from the main town.

TANGALLE BEACH: The main beach of the town is a few miles long and has so many different sections including the Medilla section that has something of a natural pool formation.

GOYAMBOKKA BEACH: 15 mins from the town lies this small but beautiful beach that is bordered by rocky coves. It has a few beach bars and is good for a swim.

Some of the other beaches to visit here include Medaketiya beach and Mangrove beach.

I hope this guide to the best beaches in Sri Lanka’s south coast has been helpful in providing all the relevant information to inspire you to plan your own trip. Happy Travels!

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