Travel Expert Emma Boyles: 13 Best Beaches in Sri Lanka

Emma Boyle, a travel expert who lived in Sri Lanka for 16 years before moving to UK in 2019, has picked her 13 best beaches in Sri Lanka.

“My love for travel began with a round-the-world trip that never truly ended,” she says on her profile published on Lonely Planet.

While I loved Central and South America, Sri Lanka made the biggest impression on me, she adds in.

Sri Lanka has a vast coastline running up to 1,340 kilometers and attracts sun seekers and surfers around the clock and through-out the year.

Now Let’s Check What’s Emma’s Picks as ‘Best Beaches’ as published on Lonely Planet!

1. Unawatuna Beach

Best beach overall

Located just 6km from historic Galle, Unawatuna has seen significant development in recent years but remains one of Sri Lanka’s most popular swimming beaches. An offshore reef keeps the water relatively calm for most of the year. Sunbeds line the shore, jet skis buzz across the bay, and while it can get busy during peak season, it rarely feels overcrowded.

My View: While Unwatuna is a ‘Brand Name’ when it comes to “Beaches’ in Sri Lanka, it is being now challenged by emerging beaches like “Hirikeitya.’

2. Dalawella Beach

Best beach for families
Just east of Unawatuna, Dalawella is easily recognized by the iconic Frog Rock. Also known as Wijaya Beach—after its most popular restaurant—the beach features a shallow lagoon protected by a reef, making it ideal for swimming and paddleboarding. Curious sea turtles often appear, making it a favourite with families.

My View: Bit popular, though not the mostly spoken off. However, still you can gain value for money.

3. Weligama Beach

Best beach for beginner surfers
Weligama’s crescent-shaped 2km bay is one of Sri Lanka’s best surfing beaches for beginners, thanks to its gentle sandy-bottomed break. First-timers can rent a board and book lessons from local surf schools, most run by young surfers with first-hand knowledge of the waves.

My View: Among the much talked ‘beaches’ as of now, and people are flocking the beach to enjoy.

4. Kabalana Beach

Best beach for fine dining
Part of Ahangama’s laid-back surf and yoga scene, Kabalana offers a quieter alternative to Unawatuna or Weligama. Surf lessons and board rentals are easily arranged, and the A-frame break known as “The Rock” is reputed to be Sri Lanka’s best deep-reef wave. In the evenings, excellent restaurants along the Galle–Matara road take centre stage.

My View: Excellent For Surfing and also Wind Surfing.

5. Mirissa Beach

Best beach for whale watching
Mirissa’s moon-shaped bay is famous for blue whale watching, with boats departing daily during the season and high chances of sightings. Beyond whales, visitors can snorkel near Parrot Rock, surf the western reef break, join yoga classes, or hike to Mirissa’s not-so-secret Secret Beach. Dining options are plentiful, and evenings can be lively.

My View: Good Beach, as said, good options.

6. Hiriketiya Beach

Best beach for amenities
Set in a deep bay framed by jungle-covered headlands, Hiriketiya is a true showstopper. Popular with surfers, it offers year-round swimming, a relaxed atmosphere, and dramatic scenery. Tucked among coconut palms is a stylish collection of cafés, restaurants, guesthouses, and villas extending toward neighboring Dikwella Beach.

My View: Rising Star of Sri Lankan Beaches and it is attracting lot of visitors and also coverage. The trending beach as of now.

7. Bentota Beach

Best beach on the west coast
Sri Lanka’s west coast features many large resort hotels, but Bentota stands out. Its long golden beach ends at a sand spit separating the ocean from a lagoon. Water sports, safe swimming, and lifeguards make it popular with families, though independent beachside restaurants are limited.

My View: known for family outings. Has been steadily attracting numbers over the years.

8. Kalkudah Beach

Best quiet beach on the east coast
For travellers seeking undeveloped shores, Kalkudah is ideal. Coconut estates and cashew farms back this tranquil beach. Swimming is possible, though conditions can be dangerous out of season due to the steep seabed.

My View: Rarely the Kalkudah beach comes on the ‘Holiday Planners List,’ However, one of the most picturesque beaches with a long stretch.

9. Arugam Bay

Best beach for experienced surfers
The Arugam Bay surf season runs from May to September. The area boasts legendary breaks such as Whiskey Point, Peanut Farm, and Crocodile Rock, often in remote and unspoiled settings. Once a haven for hardcore surfers and fishermen, it now attracts budget travellers keen on surfing, ancient ruins, and visits to nearby national parks like Kumana and Lahugala Kitulana.

My View: Before Hiriketiya became a ‘trend’ it was Arugambay that was making the rounds and was also called as ‘A-Bay.’ Highly popular with ‘Surfers’ and located on the border of the eastern coast, just before touching the southern coast.

10. Nilaveli Beach

Best beach for snorkeling and diving
Located 13km north of Trincomalee, Nilaveli is a 4km stretch of pale sand lined with palmyra palms and roaming cattle. From May to September, calm seas make it a hub for diving, snorkeling, and whale watching. Nearby Pigeon Island Marine Park is home to turtles and blacktip reef sharks.

My View: one of the famous beaches in the eastern coast and a name that comes as ‘often’ as a travel option.

11. Casuarina Beach

Best northern beach
On the Jaffna Peninsula, beaches become wild and remote. Casuarina Beach, shaded by its namesake trees, is the most popular despite a rugged 40-minute drive from Jaffna, offering rare shade and shallow waters.

My View: The North most Beach in the country, was not used much by tourist, but has the potential to become a trending beach in the north, with tourism picking up.

12. Kalpitiya Beach

Best beach for kitesurfing
Kalpitiya is a 35km peninsula on the northwest coast near Puttalam. A near-continuous beach runs to a ruined Dutch fort, while the Puttalam Lagoon on the eastern side hosts colourful kitesurfing sails during the windy months from May to September.

My View: good for kite surfing and a popular beach located between the western and northern shores.

13. Mawella Beach

Best beach for total relaxation
Mawella is a serene and lesser-known south coast gem. Its 2km curved bay is lined with a handful of boutique hotels, villas, and simple bungalows set among palm trees. Despite being just 7km from Tangalla, it offers rare tranquillity—perfect for unwinding, morning runs, or gentle bodyboarding.

My View: Not spoken much, however for tourists/travelers/ holiday makers who choose the area for Holiday, Mawella can be an option to explore.

Read emma’s article on Lonely Planet

Photo credit to owners: Getty / Shutter Stock and all original owners.