Nilaveli Beach is a wide, sandy beach that is lined with palm trees and dotted with fishing boats. It is a 30-minute drive from the city of Trincomalee in northeastern Sri Lanka. Because of its own small reef, this tiny island has calm beaches and gentle surf. Despite its size, Nilaveli's beach is popular with both locals and tourists. There are lifeguards on duty and numerous small restaurants along the beach, the majority of which specialize in seafood.

The Trincomalee area is also worth seeing because it is a center of Tamil culture. Tamil is the name of the language spoken in Sri Lanka, as well as the ethnic group to which the majority of the country's residents belong.

If Nilaveli's isolation isn't enough, you can take a boat to Pigeon Island National Park, which is about a half-mile off the coast. This beautiful island is best known for its snorkeling and scuba diving, and there is a good diving school nearby, as well as a tour operator that offers guided tours of the island.

The Anilana Nilaveli is located directly on Nilaveli Beach, just steps away from where boats depart for Pigeon Island. This lovely hotel provides luxurious accommodations and services at reasonable rates. With floor-to-ceiling windows and private balconies, guest rooms are spacious and bright, and hotel amenities include an on-site spa, two large pools, and a restaurant.

Tripadvisor rating: 4.5/5
Location: 16 km north of Trincomalee on Sri Lanka's east coast
Recommended Hotel Nearby: Anilana Nilaveli

This mile-long stretch of beach on Pasikuda Bay is ideal for swimming and wading. Unlike many beaches in Sri Lanka, the surf is gentle and protected by a reef. The water is also shallow, allowing you to walk out hundreds of yards into the ocean. The beach is lined with coconut trees, and the sand is bright white and soft with fine grains. This area is only now being discovered for luxury resort development, so there are still plenty of undiscovered beaches to explore.

Karpaha Sands is an excellent option for those looking for a secluded getaway right on the water's edge that is both affordable and packed with amenities. It's no wonder people think this is one of the best beaches in Sri Lanka. It is situated on a quiet stretch of Kalkudah. A single, clear path leads to the beach, flanked by small resorts on either side. When you arrive at the beach, you'll notice palm trees lining the sand strip and, on the other side, a calm and inviting sea that stretches for miles. Although not as good for swimming as Pasikuda Bay, Kalkudah Beach is still a great place to dip your toes or wade in.

The only thing to distract you here is the occasional fisherman and his boat pulling up to the shore or pushing out into the ocean. Animals may cross your path (cows belonging to villagers, for example), but aside from that, Kalkudah is ideal for the average introvert who prefers to enjoy the beach in silence and isolation or even couples who want to enjoy each other's company away from the noise and crowds.

Tripadvisor rating: 4.3/5
Location: 35 kilometers northwest of Batticaloa, Batticaloa District, Sri Lanka.
Recommended Hotel Nearby: Karpaha Sands, Kalkudah

Arugam Bay is breathtakingly beautiful, with bright white sand and deep blue water that gradually turns green as you get closer to the shore. With that beauty come some of Sri Lanka's best surf breaks, and the beach is well-known as an international surf destination. This reputation attracts a lot of visitors, but it also means that the area has a good tourist infrastructure and is easy to get to. The curving beach has the feel of a Hawaiian beach, with a dry, sandy section near the water and rougher areas with shrubs and a tree line.

If you're not a surfer, there are plenty of other attractions, including beachfront guesthouses, oceanside restaurants, and a laid-back, "swing another day in-a-hammock vibe that's a far cry from the brash west-coast beach resorts. Arugam Bay is also an excellent base for exploring the surrounding countryside. During the low season (November to April), things become extremely quiet and many places close entirely, but it can also be a peaceful time to visit, with fewer tourists and lush landscapes.

The Spice Trail is a cool, little luxury resort with individual villa accommodations right on Arugam Bay. Each has its own small outdoor garden area, which is ideal for relaxing in a lounge chair. Nearby attractions include ancient temples and Kumana National Park, which is known for the numerous bird species that live in or migrate through the area.

Tripadvisor rating: 4.0/5
Location: the Indian Ocean in the dry zone of Sri Lanka's southeast coast,
Recommended Hotel Nearby: Spice Trail

Mirissa is one of the best beaches in Sri Lanka. Mirissa is the largest fishing port on the south coast and is located on the island's southernmost point. Its beauty and proximity to Colombo (the capital city) make it easy to reach. It takes about two hours to get there from the capital's airport. The small beach town and its large beach are both lovely, with a dense grove of palm trees surrounding them. The town is located on a small hill behind the beach.

Mirissa Beach is arrow-shaped, with the tip of the arrow protruding into the sea. This natural jetty also helps to keep the surf calm and safe for swimming. The beaches are bright white, with soft, fine sand and crystal-clear water. Where the bottom is sandy, it is light green, and where there are rocks or a reef, it is dark blue. Mirissa is also a great place to go whale watching, which is best done in February and March.

The Morning Star is a five-minute walk from the beach and features well-appointed guest rooms with private balconies and four-poster beds. There is a pool on-site, as well as a restaurant with room service and mango trees.

Tripadvisor rating: 4.2/5
Location: in the Matara District of the Southern Province
Recommended Hotel Nearby: Morning Star

Unawatuna and its beach are close to the colonial town of Galle, which is a great place to visit. Sri Lanka was a colony of both Portugal and Holland at various times, and this was the country's main city at the time.

Unawatuna is a popular tourist destination, with palm-lined beaches, turquoise waters, and a good selection of guesthouses and restaurants. The resort is in an excellent location, with the historic city of Galle only 6 kilometers away and a wooded headland to the west dotted with tiny coves. Years of insensitive development, on the other hand, have resulted in an unappealing swath of concrete hotels and restaurants crammed right on the beach, blocking views of the bay in many places. Atmosphere-wise, Unawatuna is lively without being rowdy: think sunset drinks rather than all-night raves.

The area, which is also popular for ecotourism, has a large coral reef offshore. The beach is large and curving, but it can get crowded because it is considered one of the best beach resorts in the country. CoCo Bay Unawatuna is a well-equipped beachfront resort with its own private section of beach complete with lounge chairs.

Tripadvisor rating: 4.1/5
Location: in Galle district of Sri Lanka
Recommended Hotel Nearby: CoCo Bay Unawatuna

Uppuveli, located on the island's less-developed east coast, provides a truly remote and unspoiled beach experience. Because this is a genuine, rural beach, your day at the beach may be shared with a local cow. You can watch (or help) the fishermen haul in their nets if you arrive early. Because of the sun's reflection off the sandy bottom, the sand is golden, and the sea is light blue. It is approximately five kilometers from Trincomalee.

If you want to find a quiet spot here, come during the week, as weekends attract both tourists and locals. The high season lasts from mid-May to the middle of November. The nearby hotels provide conveniences and alternative activities, such as diving centers that teach underwater swimming and provide equipment. Local reefs are extremely popular and beautiful to explore.

Although the infrastructure is not particularly developed, several shops, cafes, and bars are located near the beach. Tours to thermal springs or nearby islands where you can snorkel can be added to your vacation. Aside from that, you can take a boat ride to observe the whale and dolphin migration, rent a bicycle or a bike, or go on a mini-trip, fish, or kayak. There are numerous activities to enjoy on the beach, and its location adds to its popularity and popularity among tourists.

The Amaranthe Bay Resort in Trincomalee has a massive infinity pool and offers far more than its low-cost price would in other countries. It's located across the lagoon from the main beach, but it has its own tiny man-made beach.

Tripadvisor rating: 4.0/5
Location: town of the Trincomalee District, Sri Lanka located in the suburb of Sambalativu
Recommended Hotel Nearby: Amaranthe Bay Resort

Negombo has a cool little village atmosphere and is only an hour from Colombo and not far from the airport. The beach caters to tourists, with a shoreline dotted with restaurants and small shops selling handicrafts. Bands and musicians perform along the beach, adding to the lively atmosphere. The beach is wide and flat, with locals offering beach chair and umbrella rentals. There are rentals and lessons available for every type of water sport imaginable. Be cautious; the sea here can be rough and has strong currents.

Negombo, six kilometers from Sri Lanka's international airport, is a typical, predominantly Christian fishing town with narrow streets, small boutiques, and many historic churches to visit and see, with routes dating back to the arrival of the Portuguese. Negombo is an excellent location for experiencing Sri Lanka's traditional fishing methods, such as the outrigger canoe, the swifter catamaran, and the lagoon, which is famous for its promfret, lagoon crab, and lobster during season. A resort town with many hotels and restaurants, as well as the famous lagoon, where one can ride in an outrigger sailing canoe and experience the authentic fisherman's life.

Waterland is a fantastic beachfront resort with private villas with private pools and a dining barge with a 360-degree view of the water.

Tripadvisor rating: 4.3/5

Location: on the west coast and at the mouth of the Negombo Lagoon, in Western Province

Recommended Hotel Nearby: Waterland

Tangalle is located on the southern coast, and its vibrant colors make for excellent Instagram photos. The light sand contrasts sharply with the dark blue water, which is set against the deep green foliage that lines the beach. The beach edge, like many other beaches in Sri Lanka, is lined with a dense grove of trees. The beach's top section is powdery, light gold-colored sand with a steep incline near the waterline.

Because the beach is in a remote location, it is ideal for relaxing away from the hustle and bustle of the city. There are many other beaches in Sri Lanka near Tangalle Beach that you can visit on day trips from Tangalle Beach. This spit of land on the Indian Ocean's edge is lined with mangrove vegetation and has many beautiful lagoons. Throughout the year, this beach attracts a large number of budget travelers and visitors. Tangalle Beach is an ideal holiday destination due to its cozy accommodations and breathtaking surroundings. This beach is considered one of the best beaches in Sri Lanka. The beachfront luxury Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort offers villa accommodations. A new resort area near Tangalle is close to the country's massive, recently opened seaport. Hambantota is being transformed into a new tourist destination.

The coastline is stunning, and Shangri-La's Hambantota Golf Resort & Spa is a sprawling resort property ideal for families. The resort has five different beaches as well as its own mini water park.

Tripadvisor rating: 4.6/5
Location: in the south east end of Sri Lanka
Recommended Hotel Nearby: Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort

Yala Beach is regarded as one of the best beaches in Sri Lanka. Yala is in the southeast of Sri Lanka and is part of the Yala National Park, the island's largest and most popular park. The fascinating safari, during which you can observe exotic animals and birds in their natural habitat, is one of the activities available here. The park's area is designed to be a miniature replica of the entire island, with all of Sri Lanka's natural landscapes represented.

Yala Beach is completely wild, with no facilities for swimming or even normal resort activities. A strong current flows near the coast, dragging inexperienced swimmers into the ocean. On the coast here, special flags warn of danger, and the area is monitored. Water sports, starting fires, and erecting tents are all prohibited. However, you can walk along the beach and imagine yourself as a "Jungle Book" character.

To get to Yala National Park, take a 300-kilometer drive from Colombo to Tissamaharama and book a tour of the reserve through a local tour agency. The months of November to April are ideal for visiting Sri Lanka because the weather is dry. The rainy season in Sri Lanka occurs in the summer, but the prices are much lower. So, if you're not afraid of rain (which usually falls at night and evaporates by morning), a summer trip can be a great option for a low-cost vacation.

Tripadvisor rating: 4.6/5
Location: in the southeast of Sri Lanka and is part of the Yala National Park
Recommended Hotel Nearby: Nil Sisila Beach Resort

Bentota Beach, located on a thin strip of land separating the Bentota River from the Indian Ocean, is the place to go if you want to be pampered while enjoying one of the country's most beautiful beaches. Visitors can choose from upmarket hotels and resorts nestled around the river's mouth, as well as some world-class spas and health centers. While many of these offer all-inclusive packages, it is definitely worthwhile to visit some of the beachside bars and restaurants to sample their delectable local fare.

Bentota is also known for its excellent watersports facilities, so you'll see people kayaking, jet skiing, and sailing on the river or in the ocean. One of the most popular activities is to go on a 'river safari' up the Bentota; you'll pass through beautiful and remote waterways and may even see crocodiles sunning themselves on the banks.

Bentota has always been known as Sri Lanka's water sports capital, with hoteliers actively promoting water sports ranging from an adrenaline-pumping speed boat and jet ski riding, windsurfing, boogie boarding, water skiing, kite surfing, to a leisurely ride on a banana boat for the family and kids. "Lunuganga" and "The Brief" are places to visit and meet the renowned landscaper Doolan Silva, a gentleman, and friend who owns the tropical garden with a famous mural created by Australian artist John Friend.

Tripadvisor rating: 4.5/5
Location: 64km at south of Colombo in the Southern Western coastal belt of Sri Lanka.
Recommended Hotel Nearby: Cinnamon Bentota Beach

Madiha is a small town near Matara with an increasing number of beach cafes and restaurants. While Madiha Beach is the village's name, it can disappear during high tide, and the sand does not always fill in properly. Madiha Beach is located in the Matara district, about 4 kilometers from Matara city. It is one of the most popular surf spots in the area. Apart from its waves, which are ideal for surfing, Madiha Beach has a great turtle-watching point. Madiha Beach is surrounded by turquoise waters with coral reefs.

Madiha Beach's crystal clear waters have year-round swell, making it ideal for both beginner and advanced surfers. The best waves can be found at Turtle Point. Madiha also has magnificent coral reefs beneath its waters.

Madiha is easily accessible via the Galle road; simply exit at the Madiha junction and hail a tuk-tuk to the beach. Along the beach, there are surf schools, equipment rentals, and fantastic restaurants and bars. Seafood is popular in this area, and you can find restaurants that serve delicious dishes.

Tripadvisor rating: 4.0/5

Location: Beach Road, Madiha, Matara, Sri Lanka., Matara 81000, Sri Lanka.

Recommended Hotel Nearby: BiEnVenIDo Madiha

Talalla Beach is one of the best in Sri Lanka; it stretches for more than a kilometer, so it's easy to find a quiet, secluded spot all to yourself. It's one of the few sandy beaches in southern Sri Lanka that has remained relatively undeveloped and devoid of towering megahotel structures.

One of the best things to do in the mornings is to watch the local fishermen push their fishing boats out to sea or to walk the entire length of the beach to watch the sunset. This is one of those near-pristine beaches that defines all the tropical-beach postcard clichés, tucked away down muddy dirt tracks. This 1 km-long sand dune is largely unspoiled by tourism development; the main man-made feature here is small fishing boats. You can reach Talalla's narrow access road from two points on the main road; the best is at the 171km marker

Talalla Beach is one kilometer of golden sand and is breathtaking. However, the scene changes in the early morning hours as fishermen land their outrigger canoes and begin offloading their catch, just as their fathers, grandfathers, and great-grandfathers did before them. The most impressive sight is a fishing technique called "Beach Seining." Local fishermen used a small canoe to spread a net across the bay. After casting the net, the boat circles back and the fishermen work in two groups to pull in the massive net, hoping for the big catch: a net full of sardine-like fishes. Watch the show in Talalla or even participate in the net pulling. Tourists are actively encouraged to "help" the fishermen.

Tripadvisor rating: 4.5/5
Location: on the South coast of Sri Lanka at a distance of 190 km from Colombo via express.
Recommended Hotel Nearby: Talalla Retreat

Hiriketiya Beach, once a sleepy fishing village near Dickwella town, has evolved into a destination for surfers looking for trendy cafes, co-working spaces, and boutique hotels in Sri Lanka. Hiriketiya, or "Hiri," as it is affectionately known among ex-pats and Sri Lankans, has quickly become one of southern Sri Lanka's most popular beaches.

It's easy to see why Hiriketiya is one of Sri Lanka's most popular tourist destinations. You may be wondering what Hiriketiya is famous for. Hiriketiya Beach has a glistening beige shoreline and translucent water, and the bay is lined with hundreds of coconut trees that sway with every wisp of the gentle breeze that blows through. In a nutshell, it provides a delightful beach escape experience that can feel rare and unattainable these days.

Today, Hiriketiya Bay is almost unrecognizable, with restaurants and surfboard rental shops occupying nearly every square inch of the shoreline, and once-empty plots of the jungle have given way to hotels, coffee shops, and guesthouses. Such is the development dilemma in tourism-dependent countries like Sri Lanka: on the one hand, valuable job opportunities have been created, but on the other hand, there is often overcrowding (and the problems that come with heavy traffic) and a shift in the traditional way of life.

Tripadvisor rating: 4.0/5

Location: on the south coast of Sri Lanka, around 180 km from Colombo

Recommended Hotel Nearby: Seacoast Sanctuary Beach Hotel