What to know before you go.
Researched by Sarisara, with sources.
Bentota Beach lies on Sri Lanka’s southwest coast, where the Bentota River meets the Indian Ocean, about 65 kilometres south of Colombo. It is a long, wide stretch of golden sand that has been one of the country’s main beach resorts for decades, with hotels, restaurants and water-sports operators lining the shore.
Most visitors come here to relax by the sea, swim, and try water sports such as jet-skiing, banana boat rides, windsurfing, or a river safari on the Bentota River, which runs close by. The town is also known for Ayurvedic treatment centres, and for making toddy, a mildly alcoholic drink made from coconut flower nectar.
A short trip away are two stops many Sarisara trips combine with the beach: the Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery, about 11 kilometres south, where sea turtles are protected and hatchlings are released into the ocean, and the Brief Garden, a landscaped garden created by the architect Bevis Bawa about 11 kilometres inland.
The sea here is generally calmer and better for swimming from December to March. From May to October, the south-west monsoon can bring rougher waves and stronger currents on this coast, so extra care is needed at that time of year. There is no entrance fee to the beach itself — it is open public coastline, free for anyone to walk onto, at any time of day.
Free entry.
There is no entrance fee for the beach. Water sports, boat or river safaris, and the Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery nearby are separate paid activities, not included in your Sarisara price.
Swimwear is fine on the beach itself. Cover up with a t-shirt, shorts or a sarong before you walk into the town, a shop or a restaurant away from the beach.
Not dressed right? Nobody checks clothing on the beach itself. Away from the beach, in the town or in a restaurant, you may get stares or be asked to cover up — carry a simple cover-up in your beach bag so this does not happen.
There are no gates or fixed hours, because this is open public coastline. The calmer swimming season (December-March) and the rougher season (May-October) come from Sri Lanka's general monsoon pattern on the west and south coast, not from a source specific to Bentota.
No single managing body — this is open public coastline. The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) sets general tourism standards for the area. Official website
Bentota, Galle District, Sri Lanka
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