NILAVELI BEACH—NORTHERN SPLENDOUR Located 20km north of Trincomalee, northern beach of Nilaveli was untouched by tourist until almost 2009. The civil war in the North kept the tourists away for very long time. And tsunami in 2004 further added to the damage. Thankfully this is all in the distant past. Beautiful virgin sand and surf of Nilaveli are now attracting sun seekers from all over the world. The sleepy town doesn’t have much to offer besides the best of shoreline. Expansive beaches of Nilaveli are a perfect getaway for those looking for solitude. The Pigeon Island nearby is known for breathtaking marine life. Put on your snorkelling and scuba gears and take a short boat ride to explore the glittering coral reef just off the coast. Visit the crystal azure water of Nilaveli before it get run over by tourists in search of exclusive spots! ARUGAM BAY—SURFER’S PARADISE Arugam Bay on the East coast of Sri Lanka is unquestionably the best surf spot in Sri Lanka. Surfers from across Europe are drawn towards the point break to ride rough waves. Surf or no surf, this remote beach on the East coast draws people from world over to its pristine waters. Arugam Bay is a tiny remote beach next to a sleepy village. If you are looking for beachfront guesthouses, here you can get to stay closest to the water. After a few days of laid back time on hammock with your favourite book, you might want to venture into the lush green countryside to explore elephant packed national parks or mangroves with crocodiles. If you intend to surf, carry your board, the remote village is not well equipped to cater to surfers’ needs. Get away from the usual tourist activities and park yourself on the beach at Arugam Bay for some ‘Me’ time! HIKKADUWA—PARTY ON THE WEST COAST Hikkaduwa is a pristine, tourist friendly beach on the West Coast of Sri Lanka. It is located north west of Galle and is easily accessible by Southern Expressway. Hikkaduwa is a popular destination for surfers and sunbathers. The beach offers great waves for surfboarding. Coastal waters of Hikkaduwa offer great snorkelling and scuba diving opportunities. You can take a boat ride to Hikkaduwa Coral Sanctuary just few meters off the shore to explore the colourful marine life there. The beach is lined with great seafood restaurants and bars. You can witness breathtaking sunset almost every day on the beach. Once the sun goes down the beach side restaurants liven up with partygoers. This is the only beach with lively nightlife. So gorge on jumbo prawns let your hair loose and have some coastal fun! NEGOMBO BEACH—PERFECT FOR A SHORT STAY There is nothing special about Negombo beach but it has become a popular destination because of its proximity from the airport in Katunayake. Attached to the second largest city after Colombo, Negombo is a well-known fishing town. It is visited mostly by business travellers who end up going to the beach for walks or sunsets after their busy schedules. Many tourists make a stopover at Negombo before boarding an international flight back home. Tourists as well as locals frequent the sandy beach and you will find many fishing boats lining up the shore. It’s a great destination for beachfront photography. The water is usually rough and does not permit many water activities. It is an ideal beach for morning or evening walks and witness breathtaking sunsets! The town of Negombo is worth a visit for its colonial charm. PASSIKUDAH BAY—TRANQUILLITY REDEFINED Another quiet beach on the East coast of Sri Lanka, Passikudah Bay is still a virgin spot. The shoreline is secured by reefs and is the ocean is calmer compared to many other beaches in Sri Lanka. The turquoise water is so calm, that you can swim inside for almost 200 meters from the shores. The beach is famous for early morning fish auction. The fishermen from the villages nearby usually return from deep-sea fishing and vendors line up to buy the fresh catch. It’s a great way to get a peek into the life of locals here. Being away from the touristy hub, you will only find small guesthouses around the village. It is a great place to unwind. The Passikudah Bay is ideal to practice an art of doing nothing and soak in and liberal dose of Vitamin Sea! Published in Daily Times, August 18th 2017.