Sri Lanka is surrounded by the Indian Ocean. A visit to the beaches to relax and enjoy a few days of leisure is a must when you come to Sri Lanka. Here are 8 beaches in Sri Lanka, each with its own characteristics. You will definitely find one that is suitable for you.

Negombo is your first stop and also your last stop in Sri Lanka. If you are new to Sri Lanka and can’t wait to get in the water, or if you are about to leave Sri Lanka but have not had enough fun in the sea, you can come here for a great time.Negombo Beach is very long and stretches from the beach hotel all the way to the palm trees. The water quality is average due to sewage discharge at the river mouth.However, the sand is fine and the waves are not huge. You can often see locals and tourists having a good time here.This is also a great place to enjoy the sunset because of its westward location.

Bentota is one of the earliest seaside resorts developed in Sri Lanka and it has a variety of recreational activities. Bentota Beach is one of the most representative beach resorts on the southwestern coastline and is popular among Western tourists.This is a surfer’s paradise from October to April each year. There are smooth beaches that stretch for a few nautical miles. The waves are gentle and uniform, and are suitable for beginners.In addition, there are many aquatic activities such as boating, sailing and fishing. You can enjoy sea activities here.

Hikkaduwa Beach is one of the earliest beaches developed in Sri Lanka. It is deeply influenced by the hippie culture and is a very charming beach. Divers and surfers from all over the world come here for vacation.There is a rich underwater environment here and it is known for being one of the world's top ten beaches for viewing underwater corals. Tourists can admire corals and various types of tropical fish on a glass-bottom boat, or go snorkeling in the sea and have fun in the water.

Unawatuna Beach is only 5km from Galle Fort. It was once rated as one of the top ten beaches in the world, and much of its original ecology is still preserved. It is away from the hustle and bustle, and is very clean, making it a good place for an enjoyable vacation.The sand here is white and fine, and the sea water is shallow, making it suitable for both photography and snorkeling.There are several good diving spots that are not far from the beach, so it is also popular with diving enthusiasts.There are restaurants, dive shops, resorts, etc. near the beach. There are complete amenities, and both dining and lodgings are very accessible.

Mirissa is one of the three major beaches in southern Sri Lanka. It is also a famous whale-watching resort. The beach here is primitive, pristine and quiet. There are no dense clusters of hotels and noisy restaurants, just tourists strolling around or doing nothing on the beach. The people who come here mostly want to enjoy a few days of uninterrupted vacation time.There is also a place for photo-taking at the end of the beach. It is a small peninsula that extends from the beach and tourists can walk to it when the tide is low.Walking along the beach, you can also see a famous wonder of Sri Lanka – stilt fishermen. Don’t forget to take a picture of them.

Located on the southern coast of Sri Lanka, between the Matara and Yala National Parks, Tangalle Beach was developed to fill the void from the eastern and western coasts being unavailable during the monsoon season. It is spring all year round here, and it is still sunny here even when it is raining continuously on the western coast.Due to its geographical location, there are long sandy beaches and lush rainforests here. There are also abundant fish and flocks of seagulls in the shallow water regions, filling them with the vibrancy of life.This is the best place to sunbathe and let your hair down.

Located in the north of Trincomalee, Uppuveli has a pristine white sand beach with soft and fine sand that feel like marshmallow under your feet.Rest in the shade, enjoy the sea breeze and listen to the waves here to relax your mind and body.Uppuveli Beach is an early development on the eastern coast and it is one of the famous resorts in Trincomalee. It has a variety of hotels, and you can choose a good resort for gazing out to sea here.

Arugam Bay is a crescent-shaped soft beach that has been hailed by surfers as Sri Lanka's “best surfing spot”. It is also one of the top three surfing spots in the world and it has a rich surf culture. There are surfing shops and diving shops with equipment for rental along the street.The surrounding areas of the beach are well developed and there are various restaurants and hotels around. There are few tourists here, so it is not as noisy as at the southwestern coast.Besides enjoying the beach, you can also go hiking in the surrounding areas.