Mirissa
Beaches are everywhere in Sri Lanka, and a beach experience not just entails sun, sand and water; every details counts. Recently, travelers have discovered the perfection of Mirissa beach.
Mirissa is a small town located on the southern coast of Sri Lanka, about an hour’s drive from Galle (40kms).
Imagine sitting under a coconut tree sipping on a cold drink while a monkey is happily munching a mango on the tree. On the other side of the trees you can see crystal clear water, beautiful soft brown sand, and a peaceful atmosphere.
Cleanliness and crowd are two important qualities in rating a beach and Mirissa scores plenty on these two criteria. Compared to Hikkaduwa and Galle, there is much quietness here and you can see absolutely no litter being washed ashore with the waves.
With regard to accommodation, Number ONE Mirissa, Deep South Mirissa, Seaworld Resort, Mirissa Gate, Paradise Beach Club, Triple O Six and Parrotfish Bay are a few high end hotels in this area.
Yala
Yala is more commonly known for its beautiful wildlife so you could opt for a night or two of luxury camping with merchants such as Leopard Trails Yala or Mahoora Safari Camps. You can experience in reality what it is like to live under the twilight and wake up to the sounds of birds chirping. A safari drive can show you around the big animals of the wild but if you are not up for it, just relax in your tent and take in all the fresh air possible.
While one side of Yala presents jungle life, the other shows tourists more of the southern coastline. If you are looking for exotic beaches away from the crowds, Yala beach is the place to be. Camping options are also available on the beach if you are looking for a unique accommodation option.
Tangalle
Tangalle is a slightly larger town in the southern coast that offers a very unique experience of beach life. Tangalle does not have just one single line along which the beach lies, but it has a collection of bays that make up the coastline. This makes Tangalle an ideal destination for swim safe beaches that present stunning circular views of every beach location. Diving is also a popular activity in Tangalle along with surfing and of course – sun bathing!
If you are looking for exclusive accommodation in Tangalle, here are a few options: Nature Lanka Ayurveda Resort, Anantara Peace Haven, Sooriya Resort and Spa, Taru Villas and Ananthaya Beach.
Ella
Had enough of the south coast? Head towards the hill country and try a train ride from Kandy to Ella for some of the best scenic views in the island. Include a stop at Ella for a few nights on your Sri Lanka holiday itinerary to indulge in the lovely cold breezy weather and the panoramic views from any place you choose to stay. Early one morning, take a hike to the Ella Gap where you can get an amazing view of the sunrise as well as the rest of the country, all the way down to the southern coast! These relaxing views can take away all the troubles on your mind and give you a stress free holiday in Sri Lanka.
98 Acres Resort and Spa is the place to be if you want premium accommodation in Ella along with these amazing views from your room. Apart from that, there are plenty of other budget accommodation options that you can choose to stay at in Ella.
Kalpitiya
On the west coast, the bay of Kalpitiya is an up and coming relaxing beach destination in Sri Lanka. In addition to golden sands, peaceful and breathtaking beaches, Kalpitiya is also the place to be if you want to learn the thrilling activity of Kitesurfing. The waters are perfect for kitesurfing here, which is why several schools are available to teach you the art and help add excitement to your relaxing holiday.
Kalpitiya offers several eco friendly tourism options such as Baywatch Eco Resort, Ruuk Village and Dolphin Beach Resort if you want to try out something new and different.