Sri Lanka / The South Coast / BentotaBentota
Resort Beach, River Safaris and Water Sports
A wide golden beach where the Bentota river meets the sea, lined with resorts and the closest proper beach to Colombo and the airport (about 1.5-2 hours). Water sports on the river mouth, mangrove boat trips, Geoffrey Bawa's Lunuganga garden and his brother's Brief Garden, and the Kosgoda turtle hatcheries. A family and honeymoon favourite; quieter than the far south.
Highlights
- Wide beach and calm season seas
- Jet ski, banana boat and windsurf on the river
- Bentota river mangrove safari
- Lunuganga, Geoffrey Bawa's garden
- Brief Garden
- Kosgoda turtle hatchery
- Ayurveda spa
Things to do
- Bentota river mangrove safariMorning · 2h
- Water sports on the river mouthAfternoon · 2h
- Lunuganga garden tourMorning · 1h 30m
- Kosgoda turtle hatcheryAfternoon · 1h
- Ayurvedic massageEvening · 1h 30m
Tours & tickets
Tourisma may earn a small commission if you book — it never changes your price.
When to go
Best time: December – April
Worth knowing
South-West Monsoon: Rough Seas
From May to September the south-west monsoon brings rain, wind and big waves to the west and south coasts: red flags and strong currents on most beaches, whale-watching boats stop, and many beach restaurants close. It rarely rains all day, and rooms are cheaper, but for swimming go to the east coast (Trincomalee, Pasikudah, Arugam Bay), which is in season.
- Christmas and New Year peak — The south coast's busiest and dearest fortnight: beach hotels set minimum stays and gala dinners on 24 and 31 December, the Ella train and Yala jeeps sell out, and Indian holiday-makers add to the European winter crowds. Book rooms and reserved train seats by October.