Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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 for-
eign beach worshippers.
