The popular evening hangout of the city, this stretch of beach and the ground area is the charm of the busy bustling coastal city of Colombo. Though not the best of locations to swim in the ocean, many are seen knee deep in the waters of the Indian Ocean looking at a stunning sunset amidst a carnival atmosphere. Kites flying, the young the old and the children playing, the skyscrapers all add glamor to the location and is a place not to miss visiting the city.

The closest sandy beach stretch to the capital city, Mount Lavinia has been a popular location among tourist to for generations and is more touristic with many beach restaurants pubs and the popular Mount Lavinia Beach Hotel, a heritage property with a long history carrying the name of the area to the world. One can find many small locations of accommodations and home stays in the area and is a locations to be in the city yet be on the beach just 12 km from the city center.

The signature of a tropical beach – broad sandy beaches along land covered by tall palm trees, Wadduwa gives start to the popular south beach belt of the country. Many tourist hotels can be seen bordering the sandy beach, is ideal for those who seek to relax but with the minimum of travel after landing at the Colombo Airport.

Wide golden beaches and tall palm trees along the breaking waves of the Indian Ocean, with stunning sunsets the beaches of Kaluthara is ideal for a relaxed holiday. First large town after Colombo Kaluthara is significant due to the famous Temple bordering the Kaluthara River that falls to the ocean near the town.

The first tourist resort town in the country, with an ideal beach stretch for those seeking a relaxed beach holiday in a tropical warm climate. The continual lush green land ending with broad golden beaches opens to the vast Indian Ocean, with its waves crashing continually on the land creating a soothing melody as if trying to bring everyone to a trance in harmony with nature, Beruwala is the ideal location to spend a holiday away from the busy routines of life

Miles of endless golden beaches at some points as wide as a football field, Bentota offers the holiday makers that ideal uncrowded yet very touristic getaway beach destination. Populated with many popular hotels, restaurants and small touristic souvenir shops Bentota has been a popular beach destination since the time Sri Lanka was added to the tourist map of the world with many visitors young and old from every corner of the globe marking the location to be the best they visited tells of the uniqueness of the location. Many watersports centers are seen here with the back waters of the Bentota River providing an ideal platform for many watersports activities throughout the year.

Popular due to the unique coral reefs and shallow waters Hikkaduwa is a popular location for divers and surfers, very touristic with many restaurants offering a verity of sea food, the costal belt of the area is full with resort hotels and guest houses. Recently due the Hikkaduwa Beach Festival the location had regained popularity in the region as a destination of the party goers and adventurous.

A relaxed colonial town, having one of the best natural harbors in the island has been a port station from the time man started sailing the oceans in search of new lands and treasures. The Portuguese, the Dutch and the English ruled the town during colonial times and is home to a glorious Dutch fort that was declared a UNESCO world Heritage site. The ocean in and round the area has many ship wreaks some from the recent past and some from ancient times is an interesting holiday destination in the southern parts of the island. Unawatuna, Mirissa the famous beach areas at close proximity the city is now connected to the airport by a highway reducing the long travel times drastically, and the popularity of the area for Whale and Dolphin watching is bringing the city in to the spotlight of the visitors to the country.

Situated in the north western parts of the island Kalipinya is gaining popularity as a destination with stunning beaches that offers a chance to do whale and Dolphin watching. Beeing close to one of the largest national parks – The Wilpattu national park, and also offering easy access to the popular UNESCO world Heritage sites of the cultural triangle Kalpitiya is now being developed by the government of Sri Lanka as a tourist destination. There are many islands scattered in the shallow ocean waters that is unique to the area and offers decent accommodation options to someone seeking a new destination to visit.

White sandy beaches, shallow waters, coral reefs seeming with marine life is been rediscovered after decades with the dawning of peace to the once troubled region of the island. Roads been upgraded, luxurious hotels mushrooming and fast gaining popularity Trincomalee is capable of offering beach holidays that is as good as it gets anywhere in the world.

Situated in the Eastern costal belt of the Island Pasikuda is popular for the broad white sands and shallow Chrystal clear waters. Pasikuda bay is popular for its turquoise Blue water and many visitors come to the area as its one of the safest beaches in the island for sea bathing. The hot tropical sun and the wide sandy beaches attracts many Europeans for sun bathing the area is now offering many beach activities such as kite surfing, boogie boarding, surfing and diving.

Mostly popular among surfers as the ocean around the area creates ideal waves for the surfers to ride, is considered to the one of the best locations for surfing in the world. The popularity bringing the annual surfing championship, now attracts some of the best names in surfing from all around the globe to this tiny coastal town in the eastern cost of the island. Though star class accommodation is not available there are plenty of budget accommodations with its own charm available at very reasonable pricing.