Bentota Beach

Bentota Beach is one of Sri Lanka’s most famous beach destinations, located on the southwestern coast. Known for its golden sands, calm waters, and luxurious resorts, Bentota is a prime location for both relaxation and adventure. With a mix of water sports, cultural attractions, and natural beauty, Bentota Beach offers a wide range of activities for every kind of traveler.

Golden Sands and Crystal Clear Waters

Bentota Beach boasts pristine golden sands and calm, clear waters, making it an ideal spot for swimming, sunbathing, and leisurely beach walks. The wide stretches of sand offer plenty of space for both relaxation and beach games.

Water Sports Hub

Bentota is a hotspot for water sports enthusiasts. The calm waters of the Bentota River and the ocean provide perfect conditions for activities like jet skiing, windsurfing, water skiing, and banana boating. The Bentota Lagoon is especially popular for its wide range of water-based adventures.

Bentota River Safari

A river safari along the Bentota River offers a peaceful exploration of mangroves, small islands, and local wildlife, including water monitors, birds, and even crocodiles. This is a relaxing and scenic experience that complements the beachside activities.

Turtle Hatcheries

Bentota is known for its turtle conservation efforts, and several turtle hatcheries are located nearby. Visitors can learn about sea turtle conservation, see various species of turtles up close, and, if lucky, participate in the release of baby turtles into the ocean.

Luxury Resorts and Spas

Bentota is home to some of Sri Lanka’s best luxury beach resorts, offering world-class amenities, private beach access, and Ayurvedic spa treatments. For those seeking relaxation, the area has numerous wellness centers that provide traditional Ayurvedic therapies, massages, and holistic treatments.

Bentota Ganga and Water Activities

Apart from the ocean, the Bentota Ganga (River) is another attraction, offering river cruises and water sports. You can take a relaxing boat ride along the river, enjoying the lush greenery and spotting wildlife along the banks.

Cultural and Historical Attractions

  • Brief Garden: A short drive from Bentota, this garden was designed by Bevis Bawa, the brother of renowned architect Geoffrey Bawa. It’s a beautiful, landscaped garden full of tropical plants and sculptures.
  • Lunuganga Estate: The former country home of Geoffrey Bawa, this estate showcases the architect’s unique vision, blending European and Sri Lankan design. It’s a serene spot to explore, with stunning gardens and lake views.

Marine Life and Snorkeling

For those interested in marine life, snorkeling around Bentota is a treat, especially near the coral reefs. The reefs are home to a variety of colorful fish and other marine creatures, providing a beautiful underwater experience.

Best Time to Visit:

The best time to visit Bentota Beach is from November to April, when the weather is sunny, and the seas are calm. This period is perfect for enjoying beach activities, water sports, and exploring the local attractions.

About Galle District

Galle is a city situated on the southwestern tip of Sri Lanka, 119 km from Colombo. Galle is the best example of a fortified city built by Europeans in south and Southeast Asia, showing the interaction between European architectural styles and south Asian traditions. The Galle fort is a world heritage site and the largest remaining fortress in Asia built by European occupiers.

Galle is the best example of a fortified city built by Europeans in south and Southeast Asia, showing the interaction between European architectural styles and south Asian traditions. The Galle fort is a world heritage site and the largest remaining fortress in Asia built by European occupiers.

Galle is a sizeable town, by Sri Lankan standards, and has a population of 91,000, the majority of whom are of Sinhalese ethnicity. There is also a large Sri Lankan Moor minority, particularly in the fort area, which descend from Arab merchants that settled in the ancient port of Galle.

About Southern Province

The Southern Province of Sri Lanka is a small geographic area consisting of the districts of Galle, Matara and Hambantota. Subsistence farming and fishing is the main source of income for the vast majority of the people of this region.

Important landmarks of the Southern Province include the wildlife sanctuaries of the Yala and Udawalawe National Parks, the holy city of Kataragama, and the ancient cities of Tissamaharama, Kirinda and Galle. (Although Galle is an ancient city, almost nothing survives from before the Portuguese invasion.) During the Portuguese period there were two famous Sinhalese poets called Andare who was from Dickwella and Gajaman Nona who was from Denipitiya in Matara District, composing poems on common man.