Western Province
Negombo
A lagoon-side fishing town minutes from the international airport — beaches, churches, a fish…
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✦ Beaches
Sri Lanka Beaches by Season
Two monsoons, two beach seasons: the south and west coasts from December to April, the east coast from May to September.
Two monsoons, two beach seasons
Sri Lanka is affected by two monsoons, so there is always a sunny coast somewhere. The south-west monsoon (roughly May to September) brings rain and rough seas to the west and south coasts, while the east coast stays dry. The north-east monsoon (roughly November to February/March) brings rain to the east and north, when the west and south coasts are at their best.
- West and south coast (Negombo, Bentota, Galle, Mirissa, Tangalle): usually best from December to April.
- East coast (Trincomalee, Arugam Bay): usually best from about May to September — the surf season at Arugam Bay.
Weather varies from year to year; use the month selector below to see which beach destinations are usually in season.
Staying safe in the sea
- Currents can be strong, especially during and just after the monsoon — swim where local people swim and where flags or lifeguards are present.
- Do not swim when red flags are flying or the sea is rough.
- Protect reefs and turtles: do not touch coral, and watch turtle nesting only with licensed guides.
- Cover up away from the beach and when visiting temples nearby.
🏖️ Beaches by season
Which coast, which month?
| Destination | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NegomboWestern Province | Usually the best months | Usually the best months | Usually the best months | Usually the best months | Possible, with more rain or heat | Possible, with more rain or heat | Possible, with more rain or heat | Possible, with more rain or heat | Possible, with more rain or heat | Possible, with more rain or heat | Possible, with more rain or heat | Usually the best months |
| BentotaSouthern Province | Usually the best months | Usually the best months | Usually the best months | Usually the best months | Possible, with more rain or heat | Possible, with more rain or heat | Possible, with more rain or heat | Possible, with more rain or heat | Possible, with more rain or heat | Possible, with more rain or heat | Possible, with more rain or heat | Usually the best months |
| GalleSouthern Province | Usually the best months | Usually the best months | Usually the best months | Usually the best months | Possible, with more rain or heat | Possible, with more rain or heat | Possible, with more rain or heat | Possible, with more rain or heat | Possible, with more rain or heat | Possible, with more rain or heat | Possible, with more rain or heat | Usually the best months |
| TangalleSouthern Province | Usually the best months | Usually the best months | Usually the best months | Usually the best months | Possible, with more rain or heat | Possible, with more rain or heat | Possible, with more rain or heat | Possible, with more rain or heat | Possible, with more rain or heat | Possible, with more rain or heat | Possible, with more rain or heat | Usually the best months |
| MirissaSouthern Province | Usually the best months | Usually the best months | Usually the best months | Usually the best months | Possible, with more rain or heat | Possible, with more rain or heat | Possible, with more rain or heat | Possible, with more rain or heat | Possible, with more rain or heat | Possible, with more rain or heat | Usually the best months | Usually the best months |
| TrincomaleeEastern Province | Possible, with more rain or heat | Possible, with more rain or heat | Possible, with more rain or heat | Usually the best months | Usually the best months | Usually the best months | Usually the best months | Usually the best months | Usually the best months | Possible, with more rain or heat | Possible, with more rain or heat | Possible, with more rain or heat |
| Arugam BayEastern Province | Possible, with more rain or heat | Possible, with more rain or heat | Possible, with more rain or heat | Possible, with more rain or heat | Usually the best months | Usually the best months | Usually the best months | Usually the best months | Usually the best months | Possible, with more rain or heat | Possible, with more rain or heat | Possible, with more rain or heat |
Beach destinations
Western Province
Negombo
A lagoon-side fishing town minutes from the international airport — beaches, churches, a fish…
Explore →
Beach & ocean experiences
Ocean
Hikkaduwa
Hikkaduwa Snorkelling
Shoals of striped fish swirl around coral heads just metres from the sand, and a turtle may surface to breathe nearby. Snorkel…
- 2–3 hours
- November–April
Beach
Unawatuna
Unawatuna Reef and Beach Day
Clear, turquoise water in a sheltered, crescent-shaped bay invites a first swim before breakfast. Spend a half day at Unawatuna, just east…
- Half day
- November–April
Beach
Nilaveli
Nilaveli Beach Day
White sand, glassy water and a rocky islet a short boat ride offshore set the scene north of Trincomalee. Spend a full…
- Full day
- May–September
Beach hotels
★ Featured
Luxury Resort
Kalutara
Anantara Kalutara Resort
Beachfront resort on Sri Lanka’s west coast near the Kalu Ganga.
Luxury Beach
Bentota
Cinnamon Bentota Beach
This is Geoffrey Bawa's former Bentota Beach Hotel, built in 1967–69 between the Bentota River and the Indian Ocean.
Heritage Luxury
Bentota
Lunuganga Country Estate
Geoffrey Bawa's country estate on Dedduwa Lake near Bentota.
★ Featured
Luxury Heritage
Galle
Amangalla
Historic hotel in Galle Fort with colonial-era character and garden spaces.
Luxury Heritage
Galle
Jetwing Lighthouse
Clifftop hotel outside Galle designed around a maritime heritage theme.
Heritage
Galle
The Fort Printers
A boutique hotel in an 18th-century former printing house on Pedlar Street, inside the UNESCO-listed Galle Fort.
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