Sri Lanka is the land of tea, rubber, cinnamon and gemstones. It is an island state where Sinhalese, Tamil and English languages are spoken. Sri Lanka attracts with its history – the first cities and temples appeared in the V century BC, flora and fauna – there are dense jungles, elephant nurseries, lagoons of singing fish, and, of course, beaches.
I will tell you which beach to choose in Sri Lanka, where the most beautiful places for swimming, where beach vacation can be spent with children, where it is better to dive and surf.
Mirissa surfing
Mirissa is a resort in the south of Sri Lanka. Surfers, both beginners and professionals, flock to the western lagoon of Mirissa Beach all year round. Due to the strong winds and currents, the waves here do not calm down from season to season and form surfposts – ideal spots for surfing. The height of the waves reaches from three to six meters. Rental services and instructors are always available on the shore.
The width of the beach is 40 meters, but it is enough to spread a towel and sunbathe on the fine soft sand of golden color. The entrance to the water is gentle, the depth increases slowly, gradually. There is no infrastructure in the lagoon, but if you go to the eastern part of the beach, you can find chairs, umbrellas, toilet stalls and changing rooms, and free of charge. Surfing on this side is not allowed – tourists are resting. Entrance is free, without restrictions.
How to get there: from the center of Mirissa it will take 20 minutes on foot. You need to get off at the Matar road and walk straight to the coast.
Beruwela – diving
Beruwela is a beach in Lanka in the city of the same name on the west coast of the country. It is the best beach for diving due to the unique rock formations underwater. Swarms of lucian, sweetlips, barracuda and other fish can be seen in them.
Sea turtles often come to the shores of the beach and are happy to swim alongside humans. The Bentota River flows into the ocean here, where you can take a boat ride among the mangroves and see crocodiles.
The most beautiful reef lies 40 minutes swim from the shore at a depth of 20-31 meters
A single dive costs around Rs. 14700, a basic diving course costs Rs. 44300-88600. A boat ride on the river is approximately Rs. 14700.
The white sand beach stretches for four kilometers – from the city center to the neighboring village of Alutgama. The width of the shore depends on the season and, consequently, on the ebb and flow of the tides. Along the entire line of the beach stretches a row of coconut palms. Infrastructure with sunbeds and umbrellas is provided only in some areas that belong to hotels. You can come with your own towel. The entrance to the water is gentle and smooth. The beach is free and open to all tourists.
How to get there: From the center of Beruwella, it takes 30 minutes on foot. Follow Kankanangoda Road until you reach the Shazuliya intersection and then turn right onto China Fort Rd. You will come to a straight road where you can see the beach.
Unawatuna – resort vacations
Unawatuna is a resort that is among the top most popular cities in the country. It is famous for its namesake beach with calm ocean, developed infrastructure, and equipped coastline.
Unawatuna is one of the most popular beaches in Sri Lanka for vacation. Discovery Channel has appreciated its beauty and included it in its ranking of the best beaches
The beach is located in a bay with a coral reef Bot Line, so the Indian Ocean here is always calm, without waves. The coast is sandy, the entrance to the water is smooth, and the depth increases gradually. Unawatuna is covered with sand of “coffee and milk” shade, the water is azure. There is no garbage or algae here, the resort administration cleans the shore daily. The beach is lined with sprawling trees where you can hide in the shade.
Along the whole coast there are loungers, umbrellas, tables, toilets, changing rooms, shower cabins. Along the beach stretches the promenade with many cafes, restaurants and bars. In most places you can find Lankan and European cuisine. For example, Samson Seafood serves crawfish, crab, baked or fried fish, classic pasta Carbonara or salmon Benedict is available at Shifting Sands, and Sri Lankan national food at Mettha’s Home Cooked Meals.
On the beach there are also tourist companies that offer diving (there are shipwrecks near Unawatuna), going on a boat trip, following turtles (there is a bay in the vicinity, where the ocean inhabitants often crawl out). Here vacationers can also try national Ayurvedic massage with healing oils and herbs.
In the evenings, Unawatuna transforms into an open-air club. Theme parties are often held on the beach and cocktail venues open on the promenade. For example, Roof Top Bar with cocktails for Rs. 1,700 – tourists leave good reviews for the bartenders and the owner.
How to get there: From the city center it takes 11 minutes to get to the beach. Go to the Ilyas Gems & Jewellery intersection on Tartaruga Road and turn left. From outlying areas, tuk-tuks – three-wheeled mini-cars – run to the coast. The approximate price of a ride is 50 rupees for the first kilometer and 40 rupees (11 rubles) for each subsequent kilometer.
Dickwella – Attractions
Dickwella is located in the town of the same name on the southern side of the Sri Lankan coast. The beach is surrounded by a small forest, which protects it from strong winds. The waves are calm, the entrance to the water is gentle, soft, sandy, the depth increases gradually. Beaches are equipped only for hotels, the city part of the beach is wild – there are no cafes, restaurants, bars. But as a rule, there are not so many people on the shore.
The beach will appeal to those who don’t like to bask in the sun all day. Although there is not much to do on the coast itself, there are interesting sights nearby:
Market (30 minutes on foot)
At Dikwella Market you can find everything from fresh fruits and vegetables, tea, spices, seafood, clothing, household goods, handmade pottery, jewelry, and sweets. Try national desserts such as Vatalappam pudding made of coconut milk, vanilla and palm honey, Kiribat – sweets made of rice and nuts, Tala Guli – candies made of ground sesame and coconut. A single pastry will cost around Rs 360. You can taste the sweets before buying them.
Wewrukannala Raja Maha Viharaya Temple (20 minutes on foot)
It is an 8-storey Buddhist temple of the 18th century, which is decorated with frescoes and paintings depicting scenes from the life of Buddha. In front of it stands the country’s largest Buddha statue at 50 meters. There is also a room with a collection of sculptures based on Buddhist purgatory and hell myths. The entrance fee is 100 rupees.
Muhiyadeen Jumma Mosque (11 minutes on foot)
The mosque of the Muslim community of Dikvella was built in 1684. Entrance is free from 6:00 to 18:00. It may be closed to tourists for namaz (regular prayers).
How to get there: From the center of Dickwella, the road to the beach will take 13 minutes. Go north on the Beliatta road and then turn left at the Rathmale junction.
Ventura – Lanka for vacations with children
The beach is covered with fine golden sand, the entrance to the water is also sandy, soft and pleasant. The best thing for children is the slow increasing depth and cleanliness. The coast is cleaned daily, garbage is very rare, only at high tide. City employees quickly get rid of it. It is forbidden to trade on the beach, so there will be no annoying masters of hot corn and African braids. Lifeguards are on duty on the beach from morning until evening.
Ventura is located in the resort town of Bentota just 30 minutes from Katukurunda Airport, which is convenient when traveling with children
There are practically no hotels nearby, all hotels are concentrated around the city beach of Bentota, so there are few people on Ventura. But the infrastructure is well developed – sun beds, umbrellas (about 500 rupees per day – 138 rubles), toilets, shower stalls. Up along the embankment there are cafes, restaurants, stores, including a confectionery LAL, where you can buy ice cream, muffins, eclairs and other sweets. A free park with a children’s playground, swings and benches is a five-minute walk away.
How to get there: from the center of Bentota, it takes 20 minutes on foot to reach Ventura. But with a child, you can take public transportation. From Aluthgama Bus Stand, route 388-2 goes to Bentota Hospital. It’s a six-minute walk.
Interesting and useful facts about Sri Lanka
- Full moon days are days off in Sri Lanka. They are equivalent to public holidays or Saturday and Sunday. The sale and consumption of alcohol is also prohibited on these days.
- If you have to take a Sri Lankan train, be careful: the doors do not close. However, it is slow going.
- Many stores, cafes and restaurants list prices without taxes. Prepare yourself to be charged 10% of the total amount at the cash register.
- Frozen yogurts are very popular in Sri Lanka. They are sold in almost every store and especially in tents on the beaches. The sweetness is served not in a plastic cup, as it usually is, but in a clay pot.
- Lankans do not use toilet paper. Often you will not find it in public toilets, only bidets.
- Don’t be surprised if a restaurant brings you food on a plate covered with cling film or a bag. This is how they save money on washing dishes in Sri Lanka.
- Be careful to see in advance what kind of sockets your hotel has. Often in Sri Lanka there are English type sockets, so you need to buy an adapter for charging.
