Beaches

     

 For many people the beach is Sri Lanka, and small through 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 of sunning to surfing it's no surprise that the south coast of the island is the most popular area with beach bound independent travellers.

       War and unrest have kept the east coast beaches largely off the radar of all but the most adventurous but with peace big changers are afoot here and some absolute corking beaches are starting to get travellers tongues wagging.

      Finally, there's the far north, where a beach to yourself isn't just a possibility but more of a given. However, only explores need pack their beach things.

Beach Culture In The North & East

By and large Sri Lankans are an easygoing and accepting lot and on the south and west coasts there are also very used to foreign tourists and their skimpy beachwear. For much of the East & North through the situation is a little different women in bathing suits even modest one piece numbers can attract a lot of unwelcome attention. Even in the increasingly popular east coast beach resorts such as Arugam Bay and the beaches north of Trincomalee the attention can be excessive (and there have been sexual assaults). On these beaches and especially in more remote locations, women will not want to travel alone and should consider wearing a T shirt and shorts into the water.