South & East coasts · Two-monsoon series

Two coasts, two seasons, one island

◷ Which coast is in season? {{ count }} beaches · swim, surf & snorkel

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Beach of the month

Mirissa

A palm-fringed crescent on the south coast, whale-watching boats at dawn, a soft beginner break by afternoon, and the best sunsets on the island.

8.6

BEACH RATING

26°C

WATER TEMP

Nov–Apr

BEST SEASON

The beach rating

Every beach, scored on its strengths

The overall score is our editorial pick, what makes each beach worth the trip. The bars show its profile: water, swimming, snorkeling, surf, shade, quiet and sunsets. Pick a beach, then tap a factor.

/ 10

Overall rating

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How we score

The two-monsoon system

When one coast storms, the other shines

Sri Lanka has two opposite monsoons. Pick a month to see which coast is calm, clear and swimmable, and which is being battered by swell.

South & West coasts

South & West coast

Season window · Nov – Apr

East coast

East coast · more soon

Season window · May – Sep

The coastline

Every beach, ringed around the island

Tap a pin to fly to a beach, its rating, water conditions and what it's best for.

tap a pin to fly to a beach · click the map to scroll-zoom, or use + / –

Pick a beach

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tap a pin to see conditions & rating

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RATING

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Best shots

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All beaches

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