Beach trips
Create your own ideal holiday
Sri Lanka boasts a picturesque coastline of tropical beaches: golden sands lined with brightly painted fishing boats and hidden palm-fringed coves. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful escape with safe swimming spots, a more buzzy beach with watersports, or even a quick getaway to the Maldives, we have created a handful of family-friendly bite-sized beach trips to suit your needs.
Our bite-sized beach trips are located throughout Sri Lanka’s tropical coastline, so you can enjoy beach fun year-round, regardless of the rainy season. During the summer months of May to September head to the east coast beaches, such as Trincomalee, for the best weather. If you’re planning a trip between late November and April we recommend visiting the beaches on the south and west coasts, such as Tangalle.
If you’re not sure where to start, take a look at our full itineraries. Or simply get in touch and our travel specialists will talk you through the options.
Negombo is the perfect starting point for your family holiday to Sri Lanka. Just up the road from Colombo, it has a lot to offer, and you’ll get to experience the fisherman’s way of life.
The east coast is the best place weather-wise for a beach stay in Sri Lanka during the summer school holiday months. The sandy beaches are long and wide and it’s the perfect place to unwind for a few days.
Chill out in Arugam Bay for a few days at the beach with the family. This small beach village has a laid-back vibe, plenty of restaurants to choose from and some of Sri Lanka’s best spots for surfing.
Deserted beaches and coconut plantations dominate the coastline of Tangalle. If you’re looking for a peaceful beach for some relaxing family time, this is the place to be. The only nightlife you have here are the turtles that come to lay their eggs on the beach at night!
Spend a couple of days in Mirissa on Sri Lanka’s south coast, staying in a small hotel near the beach. This is a simple stop to slow the pace, with time to do as much or as little as you like before continuing your journey. Stroll along the soft sands of Mirissa’s crescent bay, crack open a coconut and enjoy some family time
Located on Sri Lanka’s southern coast, the laid back town of Weligama boasts a long, golden sand bay, excellent surfing conditions and hip cafes & restaurants. It’s the perfect spot to kick back and relax for a few days. Visit Weligama between November and April for the best weather.
If you’re looking for a peaceful beach escape, far from big resorts and tourist crowds, Kalpitiya is just the spot. This hidden gem is all about wide, quiet beaches and a lagoon teeming with wildlife. If you’re visiting between November and April, you also have a good chance at spotting whales and dolphins.
Top off your Sri Lanka holiday with a slice of tropical paradise in the Maldives. During this five-day Maldives trip, you’ll be whisked away to a small exotic coral island where you can really get away from it all.
Speak to our Sri Lanka family specialist, Emma
“Sri Lanka is full of amazing things to see and do for families! From climbing the huge Sigiriya Rock to visiting tea fields in Nuwara Eliya, there’s so much to discover. Watching elephants in the wild or visiting ancient temples is really exciting for my kids. Sri Lanka has everything we need for the perfect holiday, creating memories that we’ll treasure forever.”
