If you’re here then you’re ready to plan your holiday at paradise island – a.k.a SRI LANKA!
As an award-winning destination management company in Sri Lanka, we live, breathe and sleep all things Sri Lanka and here’s our expert travel opinion on where are the best East Coast beaches in Sri Lanka.
As a year-round destination influenced by two opposing monsoons, currently the southwest coast is best between November and April, and the east coast from May to September.
Keep reading to discover everything there is to know about the incredible east coast beach options for your holiday in beautiful Sri Lanka.
Arugam Bay Beach
Located 117 kilometers (73 miles) south of Batticaloa, Arugam Bay is dominated by surf tourism, owed to several quality breaks in the area making it Sri Lanka’s East Coast trump card where beach ratings are concerned
Recommended to visit between May to September, it has a variety of evocatively named breaks, such as Whiskey Point, Peanut Farm, and Crocodile Rock located in wild, untouched and hard-to-reach locations. This idyllic seaside town attracts budget-conscious sun-seekers looking to combine surfing with visits to deserted beaches, historic temples and remote national parks (Kumana and Lahugala Kitulana).
Kalkudah Beach
If wild, private beaches are what you crave, the untouched beaches of Kalkudah are where you should be. Dotted with lush romanticized coconut and cashew plantations, this idyllic east coast beach offers the simple harmony of coastal living, coupled with serene ocean waves – calm enough for a dip; but wild enough to get your heart pumping.
Located a few kilometers from Pasikudah Bay – Kalkudah beach is a 4km long sandy beach that represents a vision of tranquility. As an infrequent neighbor of Pasikudah Bay, Kalkudah is much quieter and offers the perfect atmosphere for relaxation and introspection for spiritual rejuvenation.
Nilaveli
Located 13 kilometers (8 miles) north of Trincomalee, the lush Nilaveli beach is a 4 km-long (2.5-mile) east-coast beach characterized by wide ivory sands, picturesque palm trees and roaming cattle.
From May to September, the shallow waters gently caress the beach, making Nilaveli the center of deep-sea diving and whale watching in Sri Lanka. Just offshore is the protected marine park on Pigeon Island – a tourist favourite for reef diving and snorkeling as you get a glimpse of Sri Lanka’s beautiful underwater marine life. The park is home to turtles and blacktip reef sharks and is one of the best snorkeling and diving spots on the island, as it allows you an up-close-and-personal adventure experience that is safe for people of all ages.
A relatively new region that has quickly become popular for beach holidays in Sri Lanka, the east coast is home to relaxing golden beaches, particularly suited for swimming and luxuriating and gives holiday-goers access to northeast island exploration.
Book your holiday now or consult with one of our travel planners for a holiday that will leave you relaxed and recharged physically, emotionally and mentally as you experience the magic of Sri Lanka’s secret east coast beaches.
