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Bentota Beach

South Coast · Galle · nearest town Bentota

★ 4.3 (1)

Swim: Moderate

Best time: Nov–Apr

29.6°C · Cloudy today

Region

South

District

Galle

Nearest town

Bentota

Water

Calm

Crowds

upscale, relaxed, family

Wheelchair

A2 Galle Road, roughly 65 km south of Colombo; Bentota railway station on the coastal line; buses.

About Bentota

Bentota is the south coast's upscale stretch — a wide, palm-fringed beach backed by boutique hotels and luxury resorts, with the Bentota Ganga river right beside it. Water sports, river safaris and mangroves make it as much about the lagoon as the ocean.

✓Bentota Ganga river safari & mangroves
✓Water sports: jet skis, banana boats, kayaks
✓Upscale resorts and boutique hotels
✓Calm sea for swimming
✓Close to Lunuganga & Brief Garden

Best time to visit

Nov–Apr (dry season for this coast)

Month	Avg high	Rain days	Suitability
Jan	~30°C	3–5	Excellent
Apr	~32°C	8–10	Good (peak heat)
Jul	~30°C	15–20	Rough / rainy
Oct	~30°C	14–18	Transitional

Weather

29.6 °

Feels like 33.8°

Cloudy

Wind 10 km/h W (gusts 12) · Humidity 69% · UV 8.3

☀ Sunrise 05:56 AM · Sunset 05:53 PM

Next hours

11 AM

30°

Patchy rain nearby

12 PM

30°

Patchy rain nearby

1 PM

30°

Light drizzle

2 PM

29°

Patchy rain nearby

3 PM

29°

Overcast

4 PM

29°

Patchy rain nearby

5 PM

28°

Overcast

6 PM

27°

Light rain

Next 7 days

Mon

28°

Overcast

82%

Tue

28°

Overcast

72%

Wed

28°

Patchy rain nearby

85%

Wave height: 1.3 m Sea temp: 30.4°C Swell: 1.3 m S

Forecasts are model-based; use the climate guidance above for season planning.

Surf conditions

Good

Swell

1.3 m S

Swell period

10s

Wind waves

0 m SW

Sea temp

30.4°C

Wind

Cross-shore

Tide

Rising

Wind blowing along the coast

Next 7 days — surf forecast

Mon

1.3m

11s

Tue

1.4m

11s

Wed

1.3m

10s

Thu

1.1m

13s

Fri

17s

Sat

1.1m

14s

Sun

1.1m

12s

Tide is an approximate rise/fall read (model sea-level, not tide-table times). Surf rating is a general swell/wind read, not break-specific.

Nearby

Restaurants, hotels and more populate automatically from OpenStreetMap.

hotel

Amal Villa

1,129 m

hotel

Surf

121 m

hotel

Centara Ceysands

4,904 m

hotel

Thaala Bentota

288 m

hotel

Franipani

192 m

hotel

Marina

927 m

restaurant

Wunderbar

1,087 m

Cuisine: regional

hotel

Wunderbar

1,081 m

hotel

Mihin Villa

1,194 m

hotel

Riverina Hotel

3,190 m

transport

Central Bus Station

1,226 m

restaurant

Oceanview

1,063 m

Cuisine: regional

hotel

Ayubowan

1,297 m

hotel

Sunsea Villa

1,810 m

restaurant

Silkeroute

2,624 m

Cuisine: regional

restaurant

The Wave

2,238 m

Cuisine: regional

hotel

Wrahabena Beachhotel

2,599 m

hotel

Zum Deutschen

2,164 m

restaurant

Golden Grill

220 m

hotel

Club Villa

803 m

hospital

Bentota Hospital

400 m

hotel

Lanka Guesthouse

773 m

hotel

Lucky Larry Lodge

629 m

restaurant

P and S

475 m

Cuisine: regional

hospital

Suwasevana Medicalcenter

604 m

hotel

Swe Lanka

460 m

hotel

Wasana Guesthouse

668 m

hotel

Bobbys Guesthouse

115 m

restaurant

Lucullus Garden

134 m

Cuisine: regional

hotel

Solid

325 m

restaurant

Susanthas

84 m

Cuisine: regional

hotel

Susanthas

100 m

hospital

Suvodaja Medicalcenter

1,316 m

hotel

Ayurweda Sign of Life

2,979 m

hotel

Saman Villas

2,973 m

hotel

Temple Tree Resort & Spa

4,196 m

hotel

Pandanus Beach Resort & Spa

4,778 m

hospital

Bentota Medical center

709 m

pharmacy

Gemini Pharmacy

1,223 m

Mo-Su 08:00-13:00

restaurant

Rangoon Chinese Restaurant

1,467 m

Cuisine: regional

transport

Aluthgama Bus deport

1,784 m

hotel

Amal Beach Villa

1,151 m

hotel

Rockside Beach Resort

2,996 m

hotel

Barberyn Sands

4,581 m

restaurant

Kulmith Restaurant

818 m

Cuisine: regional

hotel

Shimada Villa

865 m

hotel

Rockery Villa

899 m

hotel

Chami Villa

57 m

hotel

Little Paradise

95 m

restaurant

Prem Cafe and Restaurant

1,036 m

Cuisine: regional

hotel

Villa Wunderschönn

202 m

hotel

White Villa

641 m

restaurant

Diyasisila Garden Restaurant

2,712 m

hotel

Hotel

4,732 m

attraction

Nature Volunteers

3,361 m

hospital

Aluthgama Hospital

1,524 m

restaurant

Beachrestaurant

1,525 m

Cuisine: regional

hotel

Bentota Village

1,781 m

restaurant

Chefs Curry and Bowl

1,450 m

Cuisine: regional

hotel

AIDA hotels

448 m

hotel

Bentota Aida Hotel

398 m

hotel

Terrena Lodge

900 m

hotel

Fuji

892 m

hotel

Sri Lanka Shine Lodge

940 m

hotel

Anetta Villa

2,137 m

hotel

Diamond Villa

1,019 m

hotel

Diya Sisla Villa

2,165 m

hotel

Villa Benthotage

2,214 m

hotel

Lagoon Bentota

1,577 m

hotel

Sakura Villa

2,232 m

hotel

Supun Villa

91 m

hotel

Canal Villa Bentota

1,084 m

hotel

Kalumama Place

706 m

hotel

Centara Ceysands Arrival Lounge

4,745 m

restaurant

reefrash

670 m

hotel

Oasey Beach Hotel

3,976 m

hotel

Ikram's Holiday Bungalow

4,019 m

hotel

Joe's Resort Bentota

3,841 m

hotel

New Casa Marc

4,911 m

hotel

AIDA Induruwa Beachside

4,954 m

hotel

Whispering Palm Hotel

4,346 m

hotel

White Elephant Villa

1,827 m

hotel

Cinnamon Bey

2,273 m

hotel

Earl's Reef Beruwala

2,175 m

restaurant

Malli's Seafood Restaurant (Garden Restaurant)

70 m

Cuisine: asian;sri_lankan;seafood;european;western;cocktails

hotel

Vivanta by Taj

449 m

hotel

Club Bentota

3,979 m

hotel

The Waterside Hotel

1,565 m

hotel

Vivanta by Taj

465 m

hotel

Club Palm Garden Hotel

3,004 m

hotel

Green Garden Guest House

1,139 m

hotel

Palm Beach Inn

1,169 m

restaurant

Escoffier

2,654 m

Cuisine: regional

restaurant

Fishermans Grill

2,656 m

Cuisine: regional

restaurant

Mambo

2,500 m

Cuisine: regional · Mo-Su 08:00-22:00

restaurant

Sun and Sea

971 m

Cuisine: regional;seafood

hotel

The Villa Bentota

749 m

restaurant

Swe Lanka

466 m

Cuisine: regional

restaurant

Solid

319 m

Cuisine: regional

hospital

Medical Center

1,931 m

hotel

Queen River Inn

4,057 m

cafe

Sinharaja Bakery & Restaurant

1,832 m

attraction

Temple Wele pansala

3,231 m

24/7

cafe

Wine stores

651 m

hotel

Lagoon Garden

3,334 m

hotel

Neptune Hotel

2,787 m

hotel

Lanka Princess

3,348 m

hotel

Eden Resort & Spa

3,254 m

pharmacy

Anna Pharmacy

985 m

hotel

Isabella

2,225 m

hotel

Pahalage

2,371 m

cafe

The Loft

154 m

restaurant

Fun and Joy

468 m

Cuisine: regional

hotel

Bentota Resort

3,821 m

hotel

Namo Villa

1,781 m

restaurant

Ganga Garden

1,866 m

hotel

Hotel Bougainvilla

3,559 m

restaurant

Rana

259 m

Cuisine: regional

restaurant

Rockside

2,979 m

Cuisine: regional

hotel

Bavarian Guest House

2,424 m

hotel

Laluna Ayurveda Resort

4,320 m

restaurant

Pier 88

910 m

Cuisine: regional

hotel

Amaya Reception

3,835 m

restaurant

Hotel Hemadan

872 m

Cuisine: seafood;regional;pasta;sandwich;local

hotel

Bentota Beach by Cinnamon

411 m

hotel

The Surf Hotel

149 m

restaurant

Lotus Leaf Restaurant

1,377 m

hotel

JJ Villa

4,407 m

restaurant

Villa Wunderschön

148 m

Cuisine: seafood

hotel

Nisala Arana

2,640 m

hotel

Osanda Guest

57 m

hotel

Blackpearl Villa

4,428 m

hotel

Shangri-lanka Villa

1,567 m

hotel

Ceeba Villa

1,597 m

restaurant

Pizza Hut

1,884 m

Cuisine: pizza

hotel

Villa Sun Shine

3,523 m

hotel

Aayu's Guest

63 m

restaurant

Laluna Ayurveda Resort

1,676 m

attraction

Flower

617 m

restaurant

Nilwaral

829 m

Cuisine: seafood

restaurant

TunaTurner Restaurant & Beach Bar

258 m

restaurant

Boss of Prawns

389 m

Cuisine: seafood

hotel

Sandali Walauwa

2,479 m

restaurant

Immune Family Restaurant

1,131 m

Cuisine: fish;local · Mo-Su 09:00-22:00

restaurant

Malli's Seafood Restaurant (Garden Restaurant)

70 m

Cuisine: asian;sri_lankan;european;seafood;cocktails

hotel

Sea rock villa

4,484 m

hotel

Jetwing Villa

4,429 m

hotel

Sky and Sand Guesthouse

2,251 m

hotel

Sapara River Guesthouse

1,134 m

restaurant

Chill Restaurant

535 m

hotel

Shan Villa

114 m

cafe

Ланкийская Кухня

990 m

Cuisine: coffee_shop;local;seafood · 24/7

restaurant

Amal`s Restaurant

1,153 m

Cuisine: regional

Reviews

★ 4 (1)

Scenery4.3

Water4.7

Cleanliness4.2

Facilities4.3

Crowds4

📌 Editor review

★ 4

Bentota pairs a clean, calm beach with real resort comfort and the lovely Bentota river. Families and couples who want a touch of luxury without leaving the coast will love it.

Travel tips

▲12▼

River safari · 1 month ago

Book a boat up the Bentota Ganga early in the morning to see monitor lizards, birds and mangroves.

▲10▼

Agree water-sport prices first · 1 month ago

Jet skis and banana boats are run by beach operators; settle the price before you ride.

▲10▼

Combine beach with the river safari · 1 month ago

A morning boat trip up the Bentota Ganga through the mangroves is the classic Bentota excursion alongside a beach day.

▲10▼

Book the Bawa gardens in advance · 1 month ago

Lunuganga and Brief Garden are a short drive inland; both need advance arrangements, so check opening days before you go.

▲10▼

Try the coastal train · 1 month ago

The Colombo-Bentota rail run along the coast is one of the country's most scenic; the station is a short ride from the beach.

▲8▼

Getting there · 1 month ago

About 65 km south of Colombo (1.5 hours) — one of the easiest beaches from the airport.

▲6▼

Resorts · 1 month ago

The best hotels line the beach itself; river-facing rooms are quieter.

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(6 photos)

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FAQ

Yes — the sea here is generally calm, especially in the dry season.

In the dry season (Nov-Apr) the sea is calm and swimming is fine; during the southwest monsoon (May-Sep) the sea is rougher with stronger currents, so caution is advised, especially near the river mouth.

River safaris, water sports, and the nearby Lunuganga and Brief Garden estates.

Water sports on the beach, boat safaris on the Bentota Ganga through the mangroves, and visits to Geoffrey Bawa's Lunuganga estate and Bevis Bawa's Brief Garden nearby.

November to April.

By train to Bentota station on the coastal line, by bus along the A2 Galle Road, or by car or taxi - the town lies roughly 65 km south of Colombo.

Questions from travelers

Is Bentota suitable for toddlers?

The calm sea and hotel pools make it very family-friendly; most resorts have shallow pool areas for kids.

Quick facts

Best timeNov–Apr

Coordinates6.4210, 79.9970

Editorial updated Aug 2026

Getting there

FromColombo (via A2)

Distance~65 km

Drive time~1.5 hrs

TransportBus, train or taxi

! In an emergency

Nearest major hospital

Karapitiya Teaching Hospital, Galle

Tourist police

Tourist Police: 1912 (Sri Lanka-wide)

Also dial 110 for emergency (Police)

Related beaches

UnawatunaNov–Apr; peak crowds Dec–Mar, with Jul–Sep a quieter secondary window MirissaNov–Apr HikkaduwaNov–Apr (Dec–Mar is the reliable core); the sea is rough and much of the town shuts in the May–Oct monsoon.

Bentota Beach

About Bentota

Best time to visit

Weather

Surf conditions

Nearby

Reviews

Travel tips

Share a photo

FAQ

Questions from travelers

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