Bentota

Overview

Just ninety minutes south of Colombo, Bentota has established itself as Sri Lanka’s premier beach resort destination since the 1960s. The town occupies a privileged position where the wide Bentota River meets the Indian Ocean, creating a unique landscape of golden beaches on one side and lush riverine mangroves on the other. This duality gives Bentota its distinctive character: sun-drenched ocean beach by day, tranquil river safari at dusk.

Bentota is also intimately connected with Sri Lanka’s most celebrated architect, Geoffrey Bawa, whose country estate Lunuganga lies just inland and helped shape the area’s reputation as a place where tropical nature and refined design converge.

What to See

Bentota Beach

The long, wide stretch of golden sand is the main attraction. The beach is well-maintained, backed by coconut palms and luxury hotels, and offers consistently good swimming conditions during the dry season. Unlike some busier stretches of the southern coast, Bentota’s beach retains a relaxed, uncrowded atmosphere.

Water Sports

Bentota is the undisputed water sports hub of the west coast. Operators along the beach and river offer jet skiing, windsurfing, wakeboarding, parasailing, banana boat rides, and diving. The calm waters of the Bentota River are ideal for beginners, while the open ocean provides more challenging conditions for experienced enthusiasts.

Bentota River Safari

A boat safari along the Bentota River is one of the area’s most rewarding experiences. The mangrove-lined waterways are home to estuarine crocodiles, water monitors that can reach two metres in length, a wealth of birdlife including kingfishers and cormorants, and occasionally the elusive fishing cat. Early morning trips offer the best wildlife viewing.

Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery

A short drive south of Bentota, the Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery has been protecting sea turtle eggs and releasing hatchlings since the 1980s. Five of the world’s seven marine turtle species nest along this coast. Visitors can see turtles at various stages of development and, if timing is right, witness the magical release of hatchlings into the ocean at dusk.

Lunuganga and Brief Garden

Geoffrey Bawa’s Lunuganga estate is a masterpiece of tropical landscape design that the architect crafted over nearly fifty years. Guided tours reveal how Bawa sculpted the land, framed views, and blurred the boundaries between architecture and nature. Nearby, Brief Garden was the creation of Bawa’s brother Bevis, an artist and sculptor, and is a wilder, more eccentric space filled with art and secret pathways.

Tips for Visitors

Combine beach and river: Spend mornings on the ocean beach and afternoons on the river for the best of both worlds.
Book water sports through your hotel: Reputable hotels can arrange licensed operators, ensuring safety equipment and insurance.
Visit Lunuganga by appointment: The estate requires advance booking. Morning tours are particularly pleasant before the heat builds.
Turtle hatchery timing: Late afternoon visits offer the best chance of seeing a hatchling release.
Respect the ocean: During monsoon season (May-September), seas can be dangerously rough. Heed red flag warnings and swim only in designated areas.
Negotiate tuk-tuk fares: Agree on a price before setting off. A half-day tuk-tuk tour covering the river, turtle hatchery, and gardens is excellent value.