Beaches in Southern Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, the island paradise, offers not only stunning cultural sites and mountains but also breathtaking beaches. The most famous beaches in Sri Lanka are located in the south of the island, making them easily accessible by train or bus. However, it’s often the smaller, secluded beaches between the major destinations that are particularly charming and almost deserted.
Kaikawala Beach
During our Tuk-Tuk road trip, we discovered Kaikawala Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches we encountered. The highlight: we had the entire beach to ourselves. The soft sand, clear water, and surrounding palms made this place a true paradise.
Hikkaduwa Beach
Hikkaduwa Beach was the least impressive beach we visited. It was crowded with Eastern European package tourists sunbathing closely packed together. The beach’s main attraction is Turtle Beach, where sea turtles have been coming ashore for years to be fed by locals. Unfortunately, Turtle Beach was surrounded by tourists taking photos of their children on the turtles’ backs. For us, Hikkaduwa was a place to avoid.
Mirissa Beach
Mirissa Beach was much more pleasant in terms of ambiance compared to Hikkaduwa. Near Mirissa Beach, there’s also a popular Instagram spot, Coconut Tree Hill. About a 30-minute walk away is the “Secret Beach.” Although the Secret Beach is no longer a secret, it remains a lovely small beach with far fewer visitors than Mirissa Beach.
Hiriketiya Beach
Hiriketiya Beach is a quiet and relaxing spot. Located in a lagoon with some shaded areas, it is particularly popular with surfers. There are a few accommodations right by the lagoon or slightly further inland. We found the beachfront accommodations a bit expensive, so we opted for a place on the hill. This beach is definitely less touristy compared to Hikkaduwa, Weligama, or Mirissa. About a 30-minute walk away is Blue Beach, which is connected to the mainland by a narrow land bridge and thus not truly an island.
Hiriketiya Beach Blue Beach
Tangalle Beach
We particularly enjoyed the expansive Tangalle Beach, even though high waves and rocks limited swimming to certain areas. The currents should also be considered. When we visited, the beach was completely empty. Along the shore, there are numerous small beach bars and restaurants. Although prices are a bit higher, the lovingly designed loungers, hammocks, and other amenities make the visit pleasant. We spent a week in Tangalle and thoroughly enjoyed our stay.
Tip: We stayed at Little Pumpkin Cabanas and were thrilled with the accommodation. The only downside was the restaurant, which was the worst we experienced during our trip, but there are plenty of good alternatives nearby.
Tangalle Beach Little Pumpkin Cabanas Tangalle
Weligama Beach
Weligama is one of the most popular and touristy beaches in Sri Lanka. It’s an excellent spot for beginner surfers and is particularly popular among young people. As a result, there are many Western-style restaurants, parties, and hostels. The beach itself is quite nice, but we believe other beaches in Sri Lanka, such as those in Hikkaduwa or Mirissa, are more attractive due to being less crowded.
Midigama Beach
Midigama Beach is a small, peaceful beach. In the quaint town of Midigama, there isn’t much to do other than stay in a few accommodations or a hostel.
