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JK Travels Sri Lanka · Beach holidays

Sri Lanka Beach Holidays

Golden bays, whale watching, surf breaks and quiet palm-lined beaches. Plan a private Sri Lanka beach holiday on its own, or add a few days by the sea to your tour of the island.

Plan my beach holiday ↗See beach itineraries ↓
Two coasts. A beach for every month.

Beach holidays in Sri Lanka, planned around the season.

Sri Lanka has two monsoons, so one coast is usually at its best while the other is rainy. The south and west coasts are best from December to April, and the east coast from May to September. We plan your beach stay on the right side of the island for your dates.

As a local tour operator in Negombo since 2016, JK Travels Sri Lanka arranges beach tours in Sri Lanka with a private car or van and an SLTDA-licensed chauffeur guide: airport pickups, transfers between beaches, and day trips to Galle Fort, whale watching or the hill country.

Ready-made routes to personalise

Sri Lanka beach holiday itineraries

Six private beach holidays, each planned for the right season. Change the nights, hotels and activities to suit you.

Where to stay by the sea

Best beaches in Sri Lanka

Each beach area suits a different kind of holiday. Tell us what you like and we will suggest where to stay.

West coast · Dec–Apr

Bentota and Beruwala

Long sandy beaches, larger resort hotels and river trips on the Bentota River, about two hours from the airport.

Ask about Bentota ↗
East coast · May–Sep

Trincomalee and Nilaveli

Wide, quiet beaches in the north-east, with snorkelling at Pigeon Island National Park and a historic harbour town.

Ask about Trincomalee ↗
East coast · May–Sep

Pasikudah

A long, shallow bay with calm water in season, popular with families who want an easy swim.

Ask about Pasikudah ↗
When to go

Best time for a beach holiday in Sri Lanka

December to April: south and west coasts

  • Mirissa, Unawatuna, Galle, Hikkaduwa, Bentota and Negombo
  • Calmer seas and the best swimming on these coasts
  • Whale watching season off Mirissa

May to September: east coast

  • Trincomalee, Nilaveli, Pasikudah and Arugam Bay
  • The main surf season at Arugam Bay
  • The south and west coasts get the south-west monsoon, with rougher seas

October and November are inter-monsoon months, with showers across the island. Sea conditions change from day to day, so always follow local advice on where it is safe to swim.

Ways to add beach time

Beach tours and holidays with JK Travels

Take a day trip to the coast, or end a round tour with a few nights by the sea.

Day tour from Colombo

Mirissa with snorkelling

A full day on the south coast with the Madu River, Galle Fort, Coconut Tree Hill and snorkelling at Mirissa.

Mirissa day tour from Colombo ↗
Day tour from Colombo

Galle and the south-west coast

The Madu River, Kosgoda turtle hatchery, Hikkaduwa beach and Galle Fort in one private day.

Galle day tour from Colombo ↗

Want a different mix? See our tailor-made holidays, honeymoon packages or all Sri Lanka tour packages.

Local planning since 2016

Why book your beach holiday with JK Travels

01

Local since 2016

We are a Sri Lankan tour operator based in Negombo, close to the airport, so arrivals and beach transfers are simple to arrange.

02

Licensed chauffeur guides

You travel in a private car or van with an SLTDA-licensed chauffeur guide who knows the coast roads and timings.

03

Rated 4.9 on TripAdvisor

More than 500 travellers have reviewed JK Travels Sri Lanka on TripAdvisor, with an average rating of 4.9 out of 5. Read our reviews

Before you travel

Sri Lanka beach holiday questions

Which is the best beach in Sri Lanka?

It depends on your dates and style. From December to April, Mirissa, Unawatuna and Hikkaduwa on the south coast are popular. From May to September, choose the east coast: Trincomalee, Pasikudah or Arugam Bay.

Can I combine a beach stay with a tour of Sri Lanka?

Yes. Most travellers spend the first part of the holiday in the Cultural Triangle and hill country, then end with two to four nights by the sea. We arrange the transfer to your beach hotel and the drive back to the airport.

How far are the beaches from the airport?

Negombo is about 20 to 30 minutes from Bandaranaike International Airport. Bentota is about two hours away and the Galle and Mirissa area about three to four hours using the Southern Expressway, depending on traffic.

When is whale watching at Mirissa?

Whale and dolphin watching from Mirissa runs from about November to April, when the sea is calmer on the south coast. Sightings are never guaranteed.

Do you book the beach hotels too?

Yes. We can include beach hotels in your quotation, or arrange transfers only if you have already booked your stay.

Time by the sea

Let’s plan your Sri Lanka beach holiday.

Send your dates and the kind of beach you like, and we will suggest the best coast and a route that fits.

Plan my beach holiday ↗

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