7 November 2024 | 12 min
7 November 2024 | 12 min
If you are planning to vacation in Sri Lanka, regardless of the type of holiday you are going for, you will need to first secure a visa. Whether you need to obtain a Sri Lanka tourist visa depends on your nationality.
You therefor must first find out if you will need to apply for a visa before travelling to Sri Lanka for your holiday or you can just travel with your passport. If you need a visa to Sri Lanka, you may contact Arabiers, who will assist you to acquire the visa in a simplified and fast process
Sri Lanka has an extensive coastline with palm fridged beaches. Every beach in the island promises you an unforgettable experience ranging from thrilling adventures to serene retreats.
Here are some of the popular beach destinations in Sri Lanka:
Unawatuna beach is located on the south coast of Sri Lanka and it is just 5 kilometers away from the old town of Galle. The beach is known for its stunning sceneries, golden sands and turquoise waters.
You can engage in a variety of activities at Unawatuna such as snorkeling, diving and surfing. Around the beach, there are several cafes and beachfront bars where you can relax as you take in the beautiful sceneries.
Tangalle is popular for its endless sandy shores, turquoise waters beautiful bays and mangroves along the coast. Fishing is the main activity in Tangalle town, so when you visit here, you can go on a fishing tour and try capture some fish.
The waves at this beach can be rough at times, so you are not advised to go for swimming there. You can however strong along the sandy beaches especially in the evening when the sun is setting or during sunrise for a great experience.
If you are an adventure traveler, rent a canoe and explore the mangrove. Other activities in this beach include birdwatching.
Bentota is approximately 45 minutes away from Colombo and is known as the water sports capital of Sri Lanka. If you are looking for thrill and to try watersports, any time of the year, Bentota is the perfect beach holiday destination for you. You can engage is adrenaline rushing activities like speed boat riding, jet skiing, wind surfing, boogie boarding, water skiing and kite surfing.
If you are travelling with kids, you may ride a banana boat, which is an exciting family friendly activity at the beach. A boat safari along the Bentota river which pours to the ocean gives a chance to spot aquatic birds and you also enjoy the mangrove sceneries.
Hikkaduwa beach on the south west coast is known for its long sandy beach perfect for strolling. This side of the coast experiences high waves, perfect for surfing, snorkeling and diving.
Visit the coral sanctuary in Hikkaduwa to see the different varieties of multicolored corals. There are several resorts and hotels along the beach where you stay as you tour the region.
You can plan your trip to coincide the three-day Beach Festival where international DJs spin out music all night long.
This west coast beach is just an hour’ drive Colombo and 10 kilometers away from Bandaranaike International Airport. This lively beach has a plethora of activities that you can choose to indulge in, including kitesurfing and boat riding
This relatively new and undiscovered beach has been recently gaining popularity among tourists in Sri Lanka. You will witness dolphins playfully swimming in these waters and also several eco resorts along the coastline. You can go for a boat tour to explore the coastline. The strong winds witnessed here also make the beach an ideal place for kitesurfing.
This multicultural beach has a laid-back ambience that is perfect for those looking to just relax and unwind. There are many palm trees along the coastline that make the coast more appealing. It is not a very popular beach so you are assured to have some great time and with less people there. You can engage in activities like surfing at this beach
Uppuveli and NilaveliThese unspoilt beaches have recently began attracting tourist and locals who are looking to relax in the peace and quiet of ocean breezes. You may try diving to explore the coral reefs and other marine life and snorkeling. The best time to go for snorkeling in these beaches is between May and September.
Nestled between Passekudah and Kalkudah bays, these twin beaches are the ideal place for swimming. The beaches have a gentle sloping seabed and calm waters that are perfect for swimming and other water sports
Here are the essentials to pack when going for a beach vacation:
• Carry light clothing’s that are comfortable in the tropical climate
• A variety of swimwear
• Sunscreen with high SPF to protect yourself from the sun
• Wide brimmed sun hat and sunglasses for protection against the strong sun
• Snorkeling and watersports gear if you will engage in water sports
• Refillable water bottles to keep you hydrated
• A waterproof carryon bag to keep your gadgets and valuables while at the beach
• A simple first aid kid for emergencies
The best time to go for a beach holiday in Sri Lanka depends on the part of the island you want to explore. Sri Lanka experiences two monsoon seasons, which hit the opposite coasts at different times of the year. The west and south coasts experience a similar monsoon pattern where it rains between July to November.
If you are vacationing on the west and south coast beaches, the best time to visit is from December to March, because the weather at this period is usually dry and sunny. The best time to vacation on the east coast is from April to September, when the weather is pleasant for beach activities.