Best Beaches in Sri Lanka 2026: South, West, East and North
The most-loved beaches on each coast, ranked from Google Maps, with the season for each side of the island
Friday.lk
3 min read · Checked 26 October 2026
This guide lists the places in Sri Lanka that Google Maps users rate highest, with how many people reviewed them and their opening hours. Every place below was listed as open on Google Maps on 26 October 2026. Tap a name to open it in Google Maps before you go, because hours and prices change.
- South coast: Mirissa Beach, rated 4.7 from 2,646 reviews.
- West coast: Ventura Beach, rated 4.6 from 624 reviews.
- East coast: Arugam Bay Beach, rated 4.6 from 2,011 reviews.
- North: Casuarina Beach, rated 4.3 from 1,114 reviews.
Good to know
- The south and west coasts are usually calmer from about November to April, and the east coast from about May to September, because the monsoons switch sides. Check the Department of Meteorology (meteo.gov.lk) for warnings.
- Some beaches have strong currents. Swim only where locals and lifeguards say it is safe, and never alone.
- No alcohol is sold on Poya (full-moon) days.
South coast
The south coast beaches with the most Google reviews.
West coast
West coast beaches near Colombo and Galle.
Rated 4.3 from 3,291 reviews · Beach
Browns Beach, Negombo, 63 Porutota Rd, Negombo 11500
East coast
East coast beaches, from Trincomalee to Arugam Bay.
North
Beaches in the north.
How to choose in a minute
- South coast: best rated is Mirissa Beach (4.7). Most reviewed is Jungle Beach (2,975 reviews).
- West coast: best rated is Ventura Beach (4.6). Most reviewed is Browns Beach, Negombo (3,291 reviews).
- East coast: best rated is Arugam Bay Beach (4.6).
- North: best rated is Casuarina Beach (4.3).
More on Friday.lk
Common questions
South coast in Sri Lanka: which are rated best?
On Google Maps, the best-rated choices with many reviews are Mirissa Beach (4.7 from 2,646 reviews), Hiriketiya Beach (4.6 from 2,858 reviews), Unawatuna Beach (4.5 from 2,459 reviews). Checked on 26 October 2026.
West coast in Sri Lanka: which are rated best?
On Google Maps, the best-rated choices with many reviews are Ventura Beach (4.6 from 624 reviews), Hikkaduwa Beach (4.5 from 1,737 reviews), Browns Beach, Negombo (4.3 from 3,291 reviews). Checked on 26 October 2026.
East coast in Sri Lanka: which are rated best?
On Google Maps, the best-rated choices with many reviews are Arugam Bay Beach (4.6 from 2,011 reviews), Nilaveli Beach (4.6 from 1,620 reviews), Pasikuda Beach (4.5 from 1,500 reviews). Checked on 26 October 2026.
North in Sri Lanka: which are rated best?
On Google Maps, the best-rated choices with many reviews are Casuarina Beach (4.3 from 1,114 reviews), Chaddy Beach (3.9 from 206 reviews). Checked on 26 October 2026.
How did you choose these places?
We searched Google Maps for each type of place in Sri Lanka. We kept only places Google lists as open, inside Sri Lanka, with enough reviews for the rating to mean something. Then we ranked them by rating, giving less weight to places with few reviews. We did not get paid to include any place.
Where this comes from
Ratings, review counts, opening hours, price levels and addresses are from Google Maps (Places API), checked on 26 October 2026. Google Maps users write the reviews; Friday.lk does not change them. We do not list prices because they change often.
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