Best beaches

Sri Lanka is blessed with incredible coastlines, and I've got a few top picks that I know you'll love for different reasons!

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Best Season
South Coast: Nov-Apr, East Coast: May-Oct
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Activities
Swimming, surfing, snorkeling, whale watching
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Unawatuna Beach

Full day

Just south of Galle, Unawatuna is a crescent-shaped bay with calm, swimmable waters perfect for families. You can often spot sea turtles here!

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Mirissa Beach

Full day

Famous for its whale and dolphin watching tours (seasonal, Nov-Apr), Mirissa also boasts a beautiful sandy stretch with a lively but relaxed vibe and great surf spots for beginners.

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Hiriketiya Beach

Multiple days

A horseshoe-shaped bay that's a surfer's paradise, but also lovely for swimming and chilling. It has a super laid-back, bohemian atmosphere with cool cafes and guesthouses.

🚂 Getting there: All these beaches are easily accessible by train or bus from Colombo, or by private car. The Southern Expressway makes getting to the south coast very quick.

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