A TROPICAL PARADISE IN SRI LANKA
Bentota Beach is one of the most beautiful and relaxing beach destinations on Sri Lanka’s southwest coast. It is famous for its long stretch of golden sand, clear blue waters, and peaceful atmosphere. Unlike some of the island’s busier beaches, Bentota offers plenty of space to enjoy quiet walks, sunbathing, or simply sitting by the shore and watching the waves. What makes Bentota special is its unique setting where the Bentota River meets the Indian Ocean, forming a beautiful sand strip that creates a calm lagoon. This lagoon is perfect for swimming, boating, and enjoying different watersports such as jet skiing, windsurfing, and banana boat rides. The area is also known as a watersports hub, attracting both beginners and experts who come to experience the fun and excitement of the sea.
Along the coastline, there are many luxury resorts and hotels, some with private beach areas, offering visitors a more peaceful and exclusive stay. The beach is surrounded by tall palm trees and lush tropical greenery, adding to its natural beauty and tropical charm. Whether you are traveling with family, spending a romantic getaway as a couple, or looking for adventure and excitement, Bentota Beach offers something for everyone. Its combination of calm waters, golden sand, and vibrant seaside activities makes it one of the best places to relax and enjoy the coastal beauty of Sri Lanka.
THINGS TO DO AT BENTOTA BEACH
WATER SPORTS AND ADVENTURE
Bentota Beach is a haven for water sports enthusiasts. Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities, including:
Jet skiing – Feel the thrill of speeding across the ocean.
Windsurfing – Experience the excitement of riding the waves.
Banana boat rides – A fun activity for families and groups.
Snorkelling and scuba diving – Explore the vibrant marine life beneath the waves.
Deep-sea fishing – Try your luck at catching exotic fish.
RIVER SAFARI ON THE BENTOTA RIVER
A river safari on the Bentota River is one of the most peaceful and exciting experiences you can enjoy on Sri Lanka’s southwest coast. This relaxing boat ride takes you deep into the lush tropical mangrove forests, where calm waters and rich greenery create a magical atmosphere. As your boat glides gently along the river, an experienced local guide helps you spot many kinds of wildlife that live in this unique ecosystem. You might see crocodiles resting quietly on the riverbanks, large water monitor lizards swimming near the surface, and many beautiful birds such as kingfishers, pelicans, herons, and even eagles flying above.
One of the most enjoyable sights is watching playful monkeys jumping between the trees that hang over the river. Some tours even allow you to feed the monkeys or carefully hold a baby crocodile, making the experience both fun and memorable. The Bentota River Safari is not just about adventure—it’s also a chance to appreciate the natural beauty and peaceful side of Sri Lanka. Away from the busy beaches, this journey offers a quiet and scenic escape into a world of wildlife, greenery, and calm waters, giving visitors a true taste of the island’s tropical charm.
VISIT THE TURTLE HATCHERY
The area around Bentota and Kosgoda, on Sri Lanka’s southern coast, is famous for its turtle hatcheries, which act as both conservation centers and popular tourist attractions. These projects play an important role in helping protect and increase the number of sea turtles that visit the country’s beaches. Five species of sea turtles — Olive Ridley, Green, Hawksbill, Loggerhead, and Leatherback — are known to nest along these shores. Because turtle eggs are often eaten by predators or stolen by poachers, hatcheries collect or buy the eggs from beaches, sometimes paying higher prices to make sure the eggs are kept safe. The eggs are then carefully incubated in protected sandy enclosures, where they can hatch safely. Once the baby turtles are ready, the hatchlings are released into the ocean, usually at dusk, to protect them from birds and other daytime predators.
While these hatcheries have done much to raise awareness and save countless turtles, they also face ethical challenges. Some conservationists worry that keeping turtles in captivity can cause stress or spread diseases, and that frequent human contact might interfere with the turtles’ natural imprinting process — the instinct that helps them return to the same beach to nest as adults. There are also concerns that some hatcheries may focus more on tourism profits than on genuine conservation. For this reason, visitors are encouraged to choose responsibly managed and well-regulated hatcheries that prioritize the welfare of the turtles. Visiting such centers not only provides a chance to see these beautiful creatures up close but also supports authentic conservation efforts that protect Sri Lanka’s rich marine life for future generations.
EXPLORE NEARBY ATTRACTIONS
BRIEF GARDEN
Brief Garden, located just a short drive inland from Bentota, is one of Sri Lanka’s most beautiful and unique garden estates. It was once the home of Bevis Bawa, a talented landscape architect and the elder brother of the famous architect Geoffrey Bawa. Originally a rubber plantation, Bevis transformed this 20-acre property into a living piece of art starting in 1929. Today, it stands as a wonderful blend of European elegance and tropical charm, offering visitors a peaceful and inspiring escape surrounded by nature.
As you walk through the garden, you’ll find winding paths that lead to secret courtyards, quiet ponds, and open spaces filled with over a hundred different types of trees and plants. Every corner seems to hold a surprise — from playful sculptures and statues to hidden seats shaded by thick greenery. The atmosphere feels magical, as if the garden itself is alive with creativity and imagination.
At the heart of the estate is the main bungalow, where Bevis Bawa once lived. The house is full of character, with antique furniture, vibrant murals, and artworks created by famous guests, including the Australian artist Donald Friend. Stepping inside feels like entering an artist’s private world — rich, colourful, and filled with stories.
Visiting Brief Garden is not just about seeing beautiful plants; it’s about experiencing art and nature coming together. The garden’s peaceful setting, combined with its artistic design, makes it a favourite spot for travellers, photographers, and anyone seeking inspiration. It also had a lasting influence on Bevis’s brother, Geoffrey Bawa, who later created his own masterpiece, Lunuganga, inspired by Brief’s beauty and spirit.
Brief Garden remains a place of tranquility, creativity, and natural wonder, giving visitors a glimpse into the artistic soul of Sri Lanka’s most iconic garden designer.
LUNUGANGA ESTATE
Lunuganga Estate is one of the most beautiful and inspiring places in Sri Lanka, known as the former country home of the famous architect Geoffrey Bawa. Located near Bentota, on the peaceful banks of Dedduwa Lake, this estate is a wonderful example of Bawa’s creativity and his love for nature and design. He began working on the property in 1948, transforming what was once an old rubber and cinnamon plantation into his personal retreat and design experiment. Over more than 40 years, Bawa shaped Lunuganga into a living masterpiece that perfectly reflects his unique style of “tropical modernism” — a design philosophy that blends buildings and nature together in harmony.
Covering about 15 acres, the estate is filled with carefully planned gardens, open spaces, and architectural features that make it feel like an outdoor work of art. The gardens are designed as a series of “outdoor rooms,” each with its own special mood and view. As you walk through Lunuganga, you can see influences from Italian Renaissance gardens, English landscaping traditions, Japanese simplicity, and ancient Sri Lankan design. Every turn offers something new — from hidden pavilions and artistic sculptures to beautiful framed views of the lake and surrounding greenery.
Visitors to Lunuganga can explore the estate on guided tours, which reveal the thought and detail behind Bawa’s designs. Each corner reflects his vision of blending architecture with the natural environment. Some of the original buildings have now been converted into a boutique hotel, allowing guests to stay overnight and experience Bawa’s peaceful world firsthand. Since Geoffrey Bawa’s passing, Lunuganga has been managed by a trust that preserves his legacy and ensures that this extraordinary estate remains open for the public to enjoy. Today, Lunuganga stands as both a living museum of tropical design and a tranquil retreat, offering visitors a glimpse into the creative mind of one of Sri Lanka’s greatest architects.
GALAPATHA RAJA MAHA VIHARAYA
Galapatha Raja Maha Viharaya is a beautiful and ancient Buddhist temple located a few kilometers inland from Bentota, along the peaceful banks of the Bentota River in Sri Lanka. This temple is not only a place of worship but also a site of great historical and spiritual importance. Its history dates back to the Anuradhapura Kingdom, one of the earliest and most influential periods in Sri Lanka’s history. Although the temple was destroyed by the Portuguese in the 16th century, it was later rebuilt by local devotees, showing the deep faith and dedication of the people in preserving their religious heritage.
One of the most sacred features of Galapatha Raja Maha Viharaya is its stupa, which is believed to enshrine a tooth relic of Arhat Maha Kassapa Thera, one of the principal disciples of the Buddha. This makes the temple an important pilgrimage site for Buddhists and a place of great reverence. As visitors enter the temple, they pass through a stone doorway beautifully decorated with Kandyan-era carvings, including designs of the mythological Nari Latha — a magical creeper said to have flowers shaped like graceful maidens.
Inside the temple, the image house is calm and inviting, featuring a large reclining Buddha statue, vibrant murals that tell stories from the Buddha’s life, and several other statues that reflect the artistry of Sri Lankan temple architecture. The quiet surroundings, combined with the temple’s historical depth and spiritual atmosphere, create a feeling of peace and reflection.
For travelers visiting Bentota, Galapatha Raja Maha Viharaya offers a meaningful cultural experience beyond the beaches — a chance to connect with Sri Lanka’s ancient Buddhist traditions, admire its artistic beauty, and feel the serenity that has inspired generations of devotees.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
The best time to visit Bentota Beach is during the dry season, from November to April. During this time, the weather is warm, and the sea remains calm, making it perfect for beach activities. The monsoon season (May to October) brings heavy rains, but it can be an excellent time for those looking for a peaceful retreat.
ACCOMMODATION AND DINING
Bentota offers a range of accommodation options, from luxury resorts to budget-friendly guesthouses. For food lovers, Bentota boasts an array of restaurants serving delicious Sri Lankan seafood, international cuisine, and local delicacies. Be sure to try fresh seafood, Sri Lankan rice and curry, and tropical fruit juices.
WHY VISIT BENTOTA BEACH
Bentota Beach offers the perfect combination of serenity and adventure. Whether you're looking for a peaceful getaway, an adrenaline rush with water sports, or an opportunity to explore Sri Lanka's rich culture and wildlife, Bentota has something for everyone.
So, pack your bags and get ready to experience the breath-taking beauty of Bentota Beach – a true gem on Sri Lanka’s coastline!
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