The sparkling blue ocean, endless long flat beaches, shallow reefs ideal for bathing, all year-round sunshine and the many popular beach hotels define the coastal towns of Beruwala and Bentota, Sri Lanka’s prime beach resorts. At this point the coast becomes more developed, with half a dozen villages indistinguishably joined together.

This small village of Beruwala, is only 36 miles from Colombo and is a popular tourist attraction. South of Colombo, Beruwala marks the beginning of a 130 km-stretch of beaches, and the start of the most popular beach resorts of the south coast. The beaches are fantastic and the bay is ideal for bathing in all year round.

Beruwala marks the spot where the first Arab Muslim settlers are believed to have landed around the eighth century. Kitchimalai Mosque only about 3 km away is worth seeing; a major pilgrimage centre at the end of Ramadan since there is also a shrine of a 10th century Muslim saint. Looking east form the mosque Beruwala harbor is an interesting place to watch the fisherman unload their catch. The fish market is busy early each morning – you may well see fresh fish change hands even before the sun is up. You can also hire a boat to the lighthouse raised on a small island offshore which offers an excellent view of the coastline from the top.

A romantic rendezvous of river and sea, Bentota is only 4 km south of Beruwala. Bentota Bridge marks the border between the Western and Southern Provinces. Here are some of the most sumptuous places to stay in the entire island. The area is also gaining reputation for providing first-class Ayurvedic healing centers. For the intrepid there’s plenty to do. There are tons of places to explore…like temples, coir factories and woodcarvers. Water sports like windsurfing, water skiing and sailing along the Bentota River are extremely popular activities. For the traveler looking to experience more of Sri Lanka’s deep sea wonders, then diving and snorkeling in the clear blue ocean waters filled with dazzling and colourful fish and other mystical creatures will certainly be a treat for the senses.

And if you’re the kind of person whose notion of an ideal holiday is just lazing on unspoilt golden beaches, feeling the warm seas gently lapping against you, letting your imagination drift as far it wants to go and just enjoying the moment…then this area is the prefect setting.

A few places we would recommend are;