Introduction
The island of Sri Lanka has more than 800 miles of coastline, along which stretch some of Asia's most beautiful beaches. Golden sands, gin-clear seas, a cooling breeze and the reaching shade of a tall palm tree come as standard. And, as an island nation, the beaches are a hive of activity and industry, with fishermen perching on stilts or setting out in small boats each morning and dragging their nets ashore each night.
These wonderful beaches are central to both Sri Lanka holidays and local life, and each one reflects the diversity of this Indian Ocean paradise. In the south, pumping swells attract surfers from across the globe and in Yala National Park, five species of sea turtle frequent the shores. In the east, the beaches around Trincomalee stare serenely at the Bay of Bengal and the close corals beneath. And on the western coast, the beaches of Negombo and Mount Lavinia are a stone's throw from Colombo and the central highlands, providing a quick breather to any tailor made travel plans.
