Beaches · Colombo · Sri Lanka
The best beaches in and near Colombo
Where to swim and spend a beach day, and when the water is warm.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: AKS.9955, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
The best-known beach is Mount Lavinia (About 12 km south; 30–60 minutes by road or train). The sea is usually warm enough for a comfortable swim (21°C+) in January–December.
Key facts
- Beaches in this guide
- 4
- Swimming season
- January–December
- Warmest sea
- 29°C (84°F)
The beaches
About 12 km south; 30–60 minutes by road or train · Sunsets and a quick beach escape
1.Mount Lavinia
The nearest swimmable beach to the city, with beach bars, seafood restaurants and the colonial Mount Lavinia Hotel.
About 37 km north; around 1 hour by road · Families and airport stopovers
2.Negombo
A long beach lined with hotels near the airport, popular for a first or last night and for seafood.
About 65 km south; 1.5 hours by train or road · Couples and resort stays
3.Bentota
Wide golden sand between river and sea, with resort hotels and water sports, calmest from December to April.
About 100 km south; 1.5–2.5 hours by road or train · Snorkelling and surfing
4.Hikkaduwa
A busy beach town with a coral reef for snorkelling, surf breaks and turtles often seen near the shore.
Sea temperature by month
| Month | Sea | Air high |
|---|---|---|
| January | 27°C (81°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
| February | 28°C (82°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
| March | 29°C (84°F) | 32°C (90°F) |
| April | 29°C (84°F) | 32°C (90°F) |
| May | 29°C (84°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
| June | 28°C (82°F) | 30°C (86°F) |
| July | 28°C (82°F) | 30°C (86°F) |
| August | 27°C (81°F) | 30°C (86°F) |
| September | 27°C (81°F) | 30°C (86°F) |
| October | 28°C (82°F) | 30°C (86°F) |
| November | 28°C (82°F) | 30°C (86°F) |
| December | 27°C (81°F) | 30°C (86°F) |
Staying near the beach
$$ · Best for beach, couples and budget
Mount Lavinia
Mount Lavinia is Colombo's beach escape: a sandy strip lined with seafood restaurants and beach bars, anchored by the Mount Lavinia Hotel, built around a 19th-century governor's mansion. It is quieter than central Colombo and linked by the coastal railway and Galle Road, though the city is 30–60 minutes away by road.
- Good
- Beach and sunset on the doorstep; Relaxed atmosphere; Seafood restaurants on the sand
- Watch out
- Long ride to central sights; Rough sea in the monsoon
- Nearby
- Mount Lavinia Hotel, Dehiwala Zoo, Mount Lavinia station
Getting to the beaches
- Train — The coastal line runs south from Fort station past Kollupitiya, Bambalapitiya and Wellawatte to Mount Lavinia and on to Galle; the main line goes inland to Kandy.
- Bus — Red state buses and private buses run frequently along Galle Road and to most suburbs; they are very cheap but crowded and driven fast.
Beach-weather months
Days of 24°C (75°F) or more with no more than nine rainy days come in January–March. The busiest of those is January, so book early.
Beach safety
Common scams include friendly strangers near Galle Face and the Fort who claim a temple festival is on and steer visitors into gem shops, and tuk-tuk drivers who overcharge. Sea currents on the west coast are strong, especially from May to September, so swim only where it is safe. Swim at lifeguarded beaches where possible and follow local flag warnings.
Questions travellers ask
+Does Colombo have beaches?
Yes: Mount Lavinia, Negombo, Bentota and Hikkaduwa.
+When is the sea warm enough to swim in Colombo?
Usually January–December, when the sea averages 21°C or more.
+What is the best beach near Colombo?
Mount Lavinia: The nearest swimmable beach to the city, with beach bars, seafood restaurants and the colonial Mount Lavinia Hotel.