Jump to:

• Top 5 Beaches in Sri Lanka Introduction
• Mirissa Beach Rating: 8/10
• Secret Beach (Mirissa) Rating: 8/10
• Unawatuna Beach Rating 7/10
• Silent Beach (Tangalle) Rating 8/10
• Goyambokka Beach: Rating 9/10
• Final Thoughts

Top 5 Beaches in Sri Lanka Introduction

We’ve travelled to over 60 countries together and seen countless beaches, but Sri Lanka truly surprised us. With its palm tree lined shores, soft golden sand, and clear blue waters, it’s nothing short of paradise. Sri Lanka’s south coast is absolutely filled with stunning beaches. You can enjoy snorkelling, jumping into the waves or simply relaxing. Below are some of the top 5 beaches in Sri Lanka that deserve a spot on your itinerary. We focused on the south coast and all the beaches we mentioned are within 1-2 hours from each other, so you can easily visit them all. 

We have a post on our time in Sri Lanka covering our favourite spots if you want to see more!

Mirissa Beach Rating: 8/10

Mirissa Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Sri Lanka and it’s easy to see why. While it can feel busier compared to more secluded beaches along the south coast, there’s still plenty of space to relax and swim. Many beachfront spots offer sunbeds as long as you order food or drinks. Natural shade is limited! There are a few shady areas in the middle of the beach. 

Mirissa Beach has something for everyone. It can get pretty wavey like most beaches in Sri Lanka but towards Parrot Rock there’s a sheltered section suitable for swimming, which is better for children. There are also plenty of activities available and Mirissa is ideal for beach walks and exploring. You can walk out to Parrot Rock and from there it’s about a 15 minutes walk to the famous Coconut Hill. We highly recommend catching the sunset from one of the bars next to Coconut Hill. It’s a beautiful way to end the day! Coconut Hill itself can get very busy, and this way you get a quiet spot with a great view of both the sunset and Coconut Hill.

Between Parrot Rock and Coconut Hill there’s a spot to swim with turtles marked on Google maps as Turtle Point. There are guided snorkelling trips available, however we didn’t feel it was very ethical as guides were likely feeding the turtles. Instead, we just swam straight from the shore and spotted the turtles ourselves that were likely drawn closer by food from the tours. 

In the evening, Mirissa is a great spot to hang out and grab a drink. Beachfront restaurants are lit up with fairy lights and many of them have live music available which creates a great atmosphere.  

Secret Beach (Mirissa) Rating: 8/10

Secret Beach is definitely one of the top 5 beaches in Sri Lanka. While it got more popular with tourists and is no longer much of a secret, it’s still absolutely worth a visit. 

Secret Beach is located just 10 minutes drive from the centre of Mirissa. If you’re up for a walk it takes around 40 minutes. There’s a long windy road leading to it but walking from Mirissa is totally doable. There’s a short hill which is not too steep. Along the way there are plenty of places to stop for a break. Akesh Juice Bar and Restaurant was our favourite.

Secret Beach is located in a secluded, picturesque cove which makes it more tranquil and scenic than nearby beaches. The sea here is calmer and there’s a shallow area between the rocks that is perfect for swimming. Snorkeling is also excellent just off the shore. The seabed is rocky so you have to be careful when getting in, but you will be rewarded with a variety of colorful fish. We even spotted some bright blue ones looking just like Dory from Finding Nemo. 

The only downside is that the small beach area is filled with sunbeds. This is great if you want to relax comfortably but you will need to order a drink or some food. The prices are quite steep for Sri Lanka (around £2 for Coke or £3 for a fruit juice). Towards the end of the beach you will be able to find some space to put your towel down and some natural shade.  

Unawatuna Beach Rating 7/10

Unawatuna Beach is located less than one hour drive from Mirissa and just a 15 minute drive from the historic town of Galle. We stopped here for a couple of hours after exploring Galle, making it a convenient spot to relax and unwind. 

Even though it’s not as scenic as some of the more secluded beaches along Sri Lanka’s south coast, the great advantage of Unawatuna is its calm sea. There are very few waves and the water gets deep straightaway which makes it ideal for swimming. The sea is clear and the beach itself is well-maintained and clean. 

Like most tourist friendly beaches in Sri Lanka, getting a sunbed is probably the best option to get some shade. Ordering lunch usually allows you to use sunbeds for the entire day but if you just want a couple of hours buying a drink should be enough. 

Unawatuna was actually the only beach we visited in Sri Lanka where we encountered beach sellers. That said, they were nice and not pushy. The beach is located in an area popular with Russian tourists and there’s a long road leading to it filled with plenty of souvenir shops, restaurants and cafes. 

Silent Beach (Tangalle) Rating 8/10

Silent Beach in Tangalle is definitely one of the top 5 beaches in Sri Lanka. Hidden in a small cove, with clear waters and palm trees it’s a true paradise. Getting there from the centre of Tangalle takes only around 15 minutes. However, we recommend staying in the area as it’s very chilled but still with plenty of nice restaurants and things to do. 

When we arrived, the sandy area was quite busy, so we decided to grab a sunbed. We only ordered some drinks, costing us less than £4 and allowing us to relax on the beach for around 2 hours. The waves were huge and the current can be pretty strong, so this spot is best for confident swimmers. However, jumping into the waves is really fun if you’re feeling adventurous. If you prefer calmer waters, there’s a more sheltered section at the start of the beach that’s much easier to swim. 

We also recommend grabbing lunch at Easy life Campus and Cafe. It’s a chilled yoga retreat serving a mix of Sri Lankan and western food in a relaxed setting.  

Goyambokka Beach: Rating 9/10

Goyambokka Beach was definitely our favorite beach in Sri Lanka. Located just 12 minutes drive away from Tangalle or around 20 minutes walk from Silent Beach, it’s a true hidden gem, and a must visit.

We accessed the beach via a narrow alley and it opens up into an unspoiled, peaceful cove with a wonderfully chilled atmosphere. The waves were smaller than Silent Beach, making it easier to swim or simply relax by the shore while soaking up the views. 

Again, you need to grab a drink or some food from one of the beach restaurants to get some shade. This is the only downside of Goyambokka Beach that is common across many Sri Lankan beaches. Aside from that, this beach is perfect and it feels like a true paradise.

Final Thoughts

We hope you enjoyed this short guide to the top 5 beaches in Sri Lanka and we have inspired you to visit this amazing country. All the beaches we mentioned are located within a 1-2 hour drive from each other so we truly recommend visiting them all if you have the time. It’s also very simple and affordable to travel from Tangalle to Mirissa by bus. Then from Mirissa you can easily reach Galle and Unawatuna Beach. If you enjoy beach hopping, surfing or simply just relaxing, the south coast of Sri Lanka is the perfect place for you!