10 Pristine beaches-The best time to visit Sri Lankan beaches

From January to April, Sri Lanka experiences its peak season, with hot, sunny, and dry weather throughout the country. It’s the perfect time of the year for visiting the coast, and the higher altitudes of the hill country offer a cool respite from the heat. April in particular can be very hot.

Climate changes from January to April in Sri Lanka

The climate during these months tends to be quite hot and dry. As for the temperature, it’s pleasantly warm, though as it starts getting closer to April, the temperature starts rising.

April experiences the warmest weather. if you stick to the south and the coast, the cool sea winds should make the hotter weather a lot more bearable. Rainfall is minimal at this time of year.

Beaches that are swimmable

Along the south coast, the all-around, tourist-friendly Unawatuna is a top choice, whereas Mirissa is particularly good at this time of year for whale watching.

Unawatuna Beach – Visit from January to April

Unawatuna is one of the biggest tourist destinations in Sri Lanka and is the most “famous” beach in the country.

It is a lovely banana-shaped beach of golden sand and turquoise water, surrounded by green palm trees. The beach is popular with tourists, and part of the beach is occupied with sunbeds for rent.

Mirissa Beach- Whale Watching

Beaches that should not go from January to April

From January to March, there’s really nowhere in particular that you should avoid going since the weather is both pleasant and bearable throughout the whole country.

May to June climate in Sri Lanka

The southwest of Sri Lanka, including Colombo, Galle, and Tangalle, experiences monsoon season during these months.

Beaches that are swimmable from May to June

The north and east coasts are perhaps best for swimmable beaches at this time of year because the weather is better and you’ll rarely see signs telling you not to go swimming in the sea

The peaceful Arugam Bay, along with the unspoiled Uppuveli and Nilaveli are good choices at this time of year.

Arugam Bay Beach – One of the Best Beach for surfing

If what you crave is some laid-back surf culture, there’s no better place to hang out for a few days than Arugam Bay on the east coast.

Out of the water, chilled-out bars and restaurants, affordable accommodation, and frequent beach parties make the resort a popular place with backpackers.

Nilaweli Beach- Boat trips to Pigeon Island National Park

The small beach resort of Nilaveli is an excellent place to escape to for a few days, with a broad stretch of white sand lapped by turquoise waters, and a few low-key amenities. It all feels blissfully unspoiled.

A prime reason to make the journey here is to take boat trips out to Pigeon Island National Park.

Uppuweli Beach- Trincomalee District

The wide sandy beaches on Sri Lanka’s east coast aren’t solely the preserve of tourists, and that’s a big part of their appeal. Local fishermen push their colorful wooden boats into the Indian Ocean from the beach.

July to September – Hot and Mostly Dry

Falling between the two monsoon seasons, July and August tend to be hot and dry with the odd shower. It’s the second most popular time of the year to visit Sri Lanka after the January – April period.

West and south coast beaches tend in the main to be too rough for swimming at this time of year.

What beaches are swimmable in Sri Lanka during July, August, and September

Tangalle, backed by lush countryside, is a top choice during August.

Tangalla was originally a small fishing village, and fishing is still the main income for many of the locals. Tangalla suffered grievously from the tsunami in 2004, and rebuilding has been very slow.

The beaches are not exactly packed with tourists and are very peaceful.

October to December – Monsoon Season In the Northeast

The monsoon from the North East affects the whole of Sri Lanka with often heavy rain. It’s the least popular time for visiting Sri Lanka.

However, after the monsoons have receded in December, it can actually be a pleasant time of year to visit with sparkling green scenery.

What beaches are swimmable in Sri Lanka during October, November, and December?

Few beaches along the west and south coasts will be swimmable in October due to the increased rainfall and cyclones brought about by the monsoon.

Hikkaduwa has long been a top choice for tourists and remains popular today, especially with surfers.

Hikkaduwa Beach- Especially for surfers

Foreign and local tourists come to see the famous “coral gardens” of Hikkaduwe.

For the tourist who doesn’t like to get their feet wet glass bottom boats are available while others snorkel to reach them which are filled with brightly colored corals and marine life.

Kosgada- Galle District- Best for Turtles

The sight of thousands of newly hatched baby turtles frantically dashing to the ocean is one you’re unlikely to forget. There are many beaches in Sri Lanka where turtles nest, but Kosgada on the west coast is the one to head to for a more organized experience.

There’s a small conservation center and hatchery here, and you can witness the release of baby green sea turtles during the hatching season from November to May.

Hiriketiya, Matara District

For bohemian surf chic there is only one choice on the south coast: Hiriketiya.

“Hiri” has really taken off in recent years, with boutique hotels, craft shops, yoga workshops, and cafés serving flat whites and vegan burgers springing up to keep bronzed and buffed surfers entertained when they’re on land.

The beautiful beach curves around a sheltered horseshoe bay, making Hiri a great spot for swimming too.

Koggala, Galle District

All along the south coast, you’ll spot tall poles sticking out of the surf a few meters from the shore.

These belong to Sri Lanka’s stilt fishermen, who once perched on them to reel in their catch.

They tend to earn more money from tourists now, accepting a few rupees to clamber up for a photo opportunity, but it is still an evocative sight. Koggala, a curving, boulder-strewn sweep of sand, is a good place to see them.

Kalpitiya, Puttalam District

Kalpitiya, on the west coast, is an excellent choice if you’d like some water sports with your beach holiday.

The sport in question is kite surfing, and there are plenty of outfitters ready to help you launch across the waves, whatever your experience level.

The winds are strongest from May to September. Between November and April, come to see a different life-form enjoying the water: boat trips head out into the ocean to track thousands of dolphins frolicking offshore.

Marakolliya, Hambantota District

With coconut palms bowing over a long arc of perfect sand washed by turquoise waters, Marakolliya is the stuff of tropical beach fantasies.

It gets surprisingly few visitors compared with other beaches on the south coast, perhaps because it has just one restaurant, so come here if you hanker after some solitude.

There may be few human footprints on the sand but you might spot some flipper tracks — turtles arrive at night to nest.

Conclusion

Sri Lanka is a country with stunning beaches to visit. The best time to explore those beaches depends on the region and the interest. But it is sure that whenever you want to go you will get an unforgettable experience.