sri-lanka-13-full-pdf-ebook.pdf

When to Go

Sri Lanka is pretty much a year-round

beach destination. When it’s raining in the

East, it’s normally sunny in the West and

vice versa.

̈ The main tourist season coincides with the

northeast monsoon, which runs from December

to March. At this time the beaches on the west

and south coasts are bathed in sunshine and the

tourist industry for this part of the country is in

full swing. The east coast, by contrast, is often

wet and many hotels are closed.

̈ Between May and September, when the

stronger southwest monsoon hits the island and

the southwest coast is drenched, head straight

for the east coast, which sits in the rain shadow

of the highlands and will be sunny and idyllic.

̈ Don’t take the seasons as gospel: even during

the height of the southwest monsoon it can

often be sunny in the morning on the west-coast

beaches before afternoon thunderstorms roll in.

̈ The north of the island is generally much drier

so you could come here any time and get your

beach towel out.

Beaches

For many people the beach is Sri Lanka,

and, small though the island is, it really is

no slouch in the sand and sea department.

̈ The west coast is the most developed beach

area and is where the majority of the package-

tour resorts can be found, but don’t let that put

you off because some of the beaches here are up

there with the best in the country.

̈ With its stunning beaches, good selection of

accommodation and activities that range from

diving to sunning to surfing, it’s no surprise that

the south coast of the island is the most popular

area with beach-bound independent travellers.

However, heavy development is bringing more

package tourists.

̈ For years war and unrest had kept the east

coast beaches largely off the radar of all but the

most adventurous, but with peace a coastline

littered with excellent beaches is now ripe for the

picking for all comers. New hotels are springing

up fast but the east is still much less developed

than the west or south.

̈ Finally, there’s the far north, where a beach

to yourself isn’t just a possibility but more of a

given. However, tourist development up here

remains minimal and locals aren’t used to

foreign beach worshippers.

Safe Swimming

Every year drownings occur off Sri Lanka’s

beaches. If you aren’t an experienced

swimmer or surfer, it’s easy to underesti-

mate the dangers – or be totally unaware

of them. (Don’t worry, not all Sri Lanka’s

beaches are surf battered: Unawatuna,

Passekudah and Uppuveli all vie with one

another for title of calmest, safest swim-

ming beach and are perfect for less confi-

dent swimmers and children.) There are

Best for ...

Diving & Snorkelling

Pigeon Island, off Nilaveli beach, offers crystal

waters, shallow reefs, colourful fish, and div-

ing and snorkelling that’s great for a beginner

or the experienced.

Whale-Watching

Whales can be seen all along the Sri Lankan

coast but Mirissa is the best base for seeing

the blue whales that splash past Dondra

Head.

White-Water Rafting

As the Kelaniya Ganga tumbles out of the

mountains and passes through Kitulgala it

produces the best white-water rafting in the

country.

Indulgence

Bentota beach has an unrivalled collection

of sublime boutique hotels, and when you’re

done with pampering, the beach itself ain’t

bad.

Solitude

We almost want to keep this one to ourselves,

but seeing as you asked nicely... Talalla beach

is utterly empty and utterly divine – for the

moment.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

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