Does Sri Lanka have Maldives level with blue turquoise waters kind of beaches?

That’s the question on almost everyone’s mind when they visit Sri Lanka’s beaches. While they don’t have Maldives level, Sri Lanka’s beaches on the south coast are some of the best ones I have seen in South Asia.

The entire coastline of the country is 1,340km long — it’s endless and it is the perfect modestly sized country without being too overwhelming. This means getting from one south coast beach to another is seemingly easy.

I spent the best of the summer season making my way from the highlands right down to the hidden gems of Sri Lanka’s South Coast like Nilwela, Goyambokka Beach and Tangalle while sipping on $1 dollar coconuts.

It was perfect — the beach villas, coconut trees and and the soft-sand beaches.

There’s also more amazing beaches if you traverse the other end of the country like Arugam Bay or Trincomalee but if you’re short on time — the southern end of the beaches are perfect to chill out!

When is the best time to visit the beaches in Sri Lanka?

There are two separate monsoon seasons so it depends when you’re visiting.

The South and West Coasts (e.g., Galle, Mirissa, Tangalle):

Best time: December to April.
These months offer dry weather, calm seas, and sunny skies, making them ideal for swimming, surfing, and relaxation.

East Coast (e.g., Arugam Bay, Trincomalee, Passikudah):

Best time: May to September.
This is when the east coast enjoys dry and sunny weather and it is also another great time as long as you avoid the south and west coasts.

Overall, the best time to be in Sri Lanka is from December to April

Also Read: Hiking in Sri Lanka: 9 Best Trekking Trails With Maps To Explore

Best Sri Lanka Beaches Guide In The South Coast

1. Tangalle: The Best Gem Of The South

Tangalle has the best beach in sri lanka’s south coast

This was perhaps the best beach I visited on the South side of Sri Lanka. When you’re coming down from the hills like Ella, Tangalle is the perfect first beach destination to stop at.

Tangalle has a long coastline and at times the waves can be really rough but during the day it eases up and it is perfect to actually chill and not do a whole lot.

The coconuts were cheap and there were no surf breaks making it quite the place to enjoy the beach to yourself.

If you have time on your hand, you could also visit Rekawa beach and check out their turtle conservation project. You can spot turtles laying eggs and baby turtles going back to the sea.

Where to stay in Tangalle:

2. Goyambokka Beach: For local caught seafood & quiet beach

goyambokka beach in sri lanka south coast was perhaps one of the best hidden finds

This hidden beach Goyambokka was near to Tangalle and offered amazing views with more shop fronts and cheap coconuts.

If you want somewhere with a bit of a vibe and access to restaurants, Goyambokka beach was such a cool find.

The road leading up to it has an interesting shaded trail and once you’re there, dining in at the local restaurants and having access to sunbeds and a cheap coconut felt like a dream come true.

There are also nearby fisherman who can totally organise a fishing trip for you and prepare the fish for you on the spot for a good price. If you’re looking for a local feel without being in too overtouristed spots, Goyambokka is a great spot to chill.

There’s also a Silent Beach right next door with amazing food and cosy beach bars. It is a very chill beach and the fact that food is readily available with super fresh seafood makes it so much better!

For your first night in Tangalle, I highly recommend getting the dinner buffet at Tangalle Rice & Currry — some of the best curries for 3,000LKR ($10).

Where to stay in Goyambokka:

3. Nilwela: For a rocky beach, blue waters and jungle terrain!

If you have a tent with you and want to camp close to the waters as much as possible, Nilwela is possibly that place. The blue beach island located off the harbour of Nilwela has some of the best views of the country.

What I really liked is seeing two opposing sides meet and from far the sea boats dotting the sea in the horizon looked amazingly mesmerising.

On the day we went, there were a lot of locals and a little bit of a local beach party. I found the beach particularly rocky so sandals were needed.

The waves can be a little harsh and sometimes there are a lot of tuk-tuk drivers around here — while it is nice, it is also not entirely private unless you head to the blue island.

Where to stay in Nilwela:

4. Hiriketiya Beach: For true blue surfers

some of the best beach clubs in hiriketiya!

Hiriketiya beach was one of those places which had amazing villas and beautiful places to stay, but at the same time it was a complete surfer stop.

If you’re a beginner surfer, this is the best place to pick up the skill as there are plenty of shops where you can take lessons for approximately 5000 LKR (~$17) for a 90-minute private lesson.

The shore line may look short but it had some of the best sunsets and gorgeous views.

You could totally spend a day here in the nearby beach bars along the Hriketiya stretch as everything is within walking distance and easy to get to.

The best spot to have dinner with amazing seafood with affordable prices is at Kingsley Hot Kitchen.

Where to stay in Hiriketiya:

5. Mirissa: For whale watching and exploring

mirissa is the perfect stop for whale watching and exploring the sea!

Perhaps one of the most crowded spots and places where everyone in Sri Lanka comes to — Mirissa is the beach where you can spot turtles, go whale watching and have some of the best viewpoints.

There’s also a cool spot called the Secret Beach in Mirissa. The road takes you inside through a village which kinda looks like a settlement and after a steep walk, you get rewarded to an open private pool.

It is quite amazing to explore these parts as there were few abandoned cafes but having access to the viewpoints make it like a cool adventure.

For whale watching, there’s a morning tour that takes you on a boat but there’s no guarantee if you’ll ever see whales. If that doesn’t work out, you should absolutely go on a boat safari tour to see sea turtles.

Where to stay in Mirissa:

6. Unawatuna: For swimming in shallow waters

if you want shallow waters, unawatuna in sri lanka is also another hidden gem!

The beaches in Unawatuna are great for turtle spotting in the evening. It is super popular as the waves are not huge compared to other spots in Sri Lanka.

It is perfect for families who want access to cafes and bars while enjoying the beach and marine life.

I spent hours floating in the warm ocean, and trying to see as many sea turtles as possible.

One of the best things to do in Unawatuna is also explore the Japanese Peace Pagoda nearby — the views are worth the climb and I found it quite serene to just take in everything!

Where to stay in Unawatuna:

Also read my other Sri Lanka posts:

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