West Coast of Sri Lanka: Travel Guide

The west coast at a glance

Places on the west coast, from north to south

Kalpitiya

Kalpitiya is a quiet peninsula with a large lagoon, famous for kitesurfing and dolphin watching. The main kite seasons are usually from about May to October and from about December to February. See kitesurfing and dolphin watching.

Wilpattu National Park

Inland from Kalpitiya, Wilpattu National Park is Sri Lanka's largest national park, known for leopards, sloth bears and its many natural lakes, called villus. It is much quieter than Yala. See Yala vs Udawalawe vs Wilpattu.

Negombo

Negombo is the closest beach town to the airport, with a long beach, a large lagoon, colonial canals and a busy fish market. It is a perfect place to spend your first or last night. See the best things to do in Negombo.

Colombo

Colombo is Sri Lanka's commercial capital, with colonial buildings, temples, markets, museums and a lively food scene. Galle Face Green is a popular place to watch the sunset. See one day in Colombo, our Colombo city tour and day trips from Colombo.

Mount Lavinia

Just south of Colombo, Mount Lavinia has a city beach with seafood restaurants and a historic colonial hotel. It is an easy escape from the city.

Kalutara

Kalutara is known for its large, white hollow stupa beside the Kalu Ganga river, which you can walk inside. See places to visit in Kalutara.

Beruwala

Beruwala has resort hotels on a long beach and one of the oldest mosques in Sri Lanka, as well as a busy fishing harbour.

Bentota and Induruwa

Bentota has wide golden beaches, upmarket hotels and the calm Bentota River, which is ideal for boat trips and water sports. Nearby, the gardens of Brief and Lunuganga, created by the Bawa brothers, are famous for their design. Induruwa is quieter, with long empty beaches.

Kosgoda

Kosgoda is known for its sea turtle hatcheries, where you can learn about turtle conservation. Choose a responsible hatchery that releases hatchlings promptly. See turtle hatching in Sri Lanka.

Balapitiya and the Madu Ganga

The Madu Ganga is a river and lagoon full of small islands and mangroves. A boat or kayak trip takes you past island temples and a cinnamon island.

Ambalangoda

Ambalangoda is famous for its traditional wooden masks, used in dance and healing rituals. You can visit mask workshops and a small museum. See craft villages and Ceylon art experiences.

Just south of Ambalangoda, the coast continues to Hikkaduwa and Galle. See our south coast guide.

Things to do on the west coast

• Take a lagoon boat trip in Negombo, Bentota or Madu Ganga. See lagoons in Sri Lanka.
• Try water sports in Bentota, from jet skiing to banana boats and windsurfing.
• Learn to kitesurf in Kalpitiya.
• See dolphins off Kalpitiya in season.
• Explore Colombo's temples, markets and colonial streets.
• Visit a turtle hatchery in Kosgoda.
• Go on safari in Wilpattu.
• Relax on the beach at Bentota, Induruwa or Negombo.

When to visit the west coast

The west coast is usually at its best for beaches from about November to April, when the sea is calmer and the weather is drier. From about May to September, the south-west monsoon brings rain and rough seas, and swimming is often unsafe.

Kalpitiya is a little different: it is drier than the rest of the west coast, and the windy months from about May to October are the main kitesurfing season. Colombo can be visited all year. See our guide to the best time to visit Sri Lanka.

How to get there

The international airport at Katunayake is on the west coast, just south of Negombo. Approximate times by car:

• Airport to Negombo: about 20–30 minutes
• Airport to Colombo: about 45 minutes to 1 hour
• Airport to Bentota: about 2 hours by expressway
• Airport to Kalpitiya: about 3 hours

The coastal railway runs south from Colombo through Kalutara, Beruwala, Bentota and Ambalangoda. See our airport transfers and Colombo airport to Kandy, Galle and Ella guides.

Getting around

A private driver is the easiest way to explore the west coast, especially if you want to combine beaches with Colombo or Wilpattu. Tuk-tuks are useful in towns, and the coastal train is a scenic, budget-friendly option.

How many days do you need?

• 1–2 nights: Negombo before or after your flight.
• 3 days: Colombo and Bentota.
• 5 days: Kalpitiya and Wilpattu in the north, or Bentota, the Madu Ganga and Ambalangoda in the south.

A suggested 4-day west coast itinerary

Day 1: arrive and stay in Negombo. Take a sunset lagoon boat trip.

Day 2: drive to Colombo for a city tour, then continue south to Bentota.

Day 3: a morning boat or kayak trip on the Bentota River, then the beach.

Day 4: visit the Kosgoda turtle hatchery and the Madu Ganga, then continue to Galle or return to the airport.

Our beach holidays and Sri Lanka and Maldives tour can include time on the west coast.

Where to stay

• Negombo for the first or last night near the airport
• Colombo for city sightseeing and restaurants
• Bentota and Induruwa for resorts and beaches
• Kalpitiya for kitesurfing and eco lodges

See our guide to where to stay in Sri Lanka.

Safety tips

• Swim only where it is safe, especially outside the main season. Currents can be strong.
• Choose responsible turtle hatcheries and don't handle the turtles.
• Agree tuk-tuk fares before you set off, or use metered or app-based tuk-tuks in Colombo.
• Use sun protection and drink plenty of water.

Read our responsible travel guide.

Who the west coast suits

The west coast suits travellers with short trips, families who want easy beach time near the airport, and anyone who wants to start or end their holiday gently. Kalpitiya suits kitesurfers and nature lovers. Our 3-day tour and 5-day tour are good options for short trips, and our travel agent in Negombo page explains how we can help.

Using the west coast for your arrival and departure

Most international flights arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport, near Negombo, and many land late at night or very early in the morning. Rather than starting a long drive straight away, many travellers spend the first night in Negombo, then set off rested the next morning. On the last day, a night in Negombo or Bentota means you are close to the airport and not rushing.

We can arrange your airport transfer so your driver meets you at arrivals with a name sign, at any hour. If you have a long wait before a late flight, ask about a day room or a short tour of Negombo or Colombo.

Food on the west coast

The west coast is known for its seafood, especially in Negombo, where the fish market supplies restaurants with crab, prawns and lagoon fish. Colombo has the island's widest choice of restaurants, from street food and rice and curry to fine dining. See Sri Lankan food to try and our food tour.

Other coasts of Sri Lanka

See our guides to the south coast, the east coast and northern Sri Lanka.

Frequently asked questions