Explore beaches

Arugam Bay

East · May–Oct (surf peak Jul–Aug)

Bentota

South · Nov–Apr

Hikkaduwa

South · Nov–Apr (Dec–Mar is the reliable core); the sea is rough and much of the town shuts in the May–Oct monsoon.

Mirissa

South · Nov–Apr

Negombo

West · Nov–Apr

Nilaveli

East · May–Sep

Pasikuda

East · May–Sep

Tangalle (Medaketiya)

South · Nov–Apr

Unawatuna

South · Nov–Apr; peak crowds Dec–Mar, with Jul–Sep a quieter secondary window

Weligama

South · Nov–Apr

Ahangama

South · Nov–Apr (dry season with offshore winds); note the swell can flatten in Dec–Feb.

Ahungalla

South · Nov–Apr

Balapitiya

South · Nov–Apr

Beruwala

West · Nov–Apr

Dalawella

South · Nov–Apr

Dickwella

South · Nov–Apr

Goyambokka

South · Nov–Apr

Hiriketiya

South · Nov–Apr

Induruwa

South · Nov–Apr

Jungle Beach

South · Nov–Apr (calmest seas and best snorkelling visibility)

Kabalana

South · Nov–Apr; the dry season brings the best SW swells and calm winds, and many restaurants close in the wet season.

Kahawa

South · Nov–Apr

Kalametiya

South · Nov–Apr

Kalkudah

East · May–Sep

Kallady (Batticaloa)

East · May–Sep

Kalpitiya (Alankuda)

West · Nov–Apr (mid–Dec to mid–Mar prime for kitesurfing)

Kandakuliya

West · Nov–Apr (calmest seas; kite season Dec–Mar)

Koggala

South · Nov–Apr; the south–west monsoon (roughly May–September) brings rough surf onto this unguarded beach.

Kosgoda

South · Nov–Apr

Kuchchaveli

East · May–Sep

Marawila

West · Nov–Apr

Marble Beach

East · May–Sep

Midigama

South · Nov–Apr (peak Jan–Mar for consistent swell and morning offshores); messy surf during the May–Oct SW monsoon.

Mount Lavinia

West · Nov–Apr

Panama

East · May–Sep

Polhena

South · Nov–Apr

Pottuvil

East · May–Sep

Rekawa

South · Nov–Apr

Uppuveli

East · May–Sep

Casuarina

North · May–Sep

Dambakola Patuna

North · May–Sep

Karainagar

North · May–Sep

Keerimalai

North · May–Sep

Arippu

North · May–Sep

Back Bay

East · May–Sep

Chundikulam

North · May–Sep

Clappenburg Bay

East · May–Sep

Dehiwala

West · Nov–Apr

Dondra

South · Nov–Apr

Elephant Rock

East · May–Oct (surf season)

Habaraduwa

South · Nov–Apr (dry season on the south coast)

Kalutara

West · Nov–Apr

Kammala

West · Nov–Apr

Kankesanthurai

North · May–Sep

Katukurunda

West · Nov–Apr

Kirinda

South · Nov–Apr

Komari

East · May–Sep

Madiha

South · Nov–Apr

Maggona

West · Nov–Apr

Mawella

South · Nov–Apr

Mihiripenna

South · Nov–Apr

Nilwella

South · Nov–Apr

Oluvil

East · May–Sep

Paiyagala

West · Nov–Apr

Palavi

West · Nov–Apr; Jun–Sep for the strongest kite wind

Peanut Farm

East · May–Oct (surf; calm for swimming)

Pesalai

North · May–Sep

Point Pedro

North · May–Sep

Pottuvil Point

East · May–Sep (surf peaks Jun–Aug)

Sethawadiya

West · Nov–Apr for calm ocean; May–Sep for strongest kite wind

Silavathurai

North · May–Sep

Talalla

South · Nov–Apr

Talpe

South · Nov–Apr

Wadduwa

West · Nov–Apr

Waskaduwa

West · Nov–Apr