Thalawila Beach
A long, quiet sweep of golden sand in front of St. Anne's Church on the Kalpitiya peninsula, with fishing boats on the shore and big sunsets over the sea.
Thalawila Beach is a long, quiet sweep of golden sand on the sea side of the Kalpitiya peninsula, right in front of St. Anne's Church. Away from the feast days, it is one of the most peaceful beaches on the west coast, with fishing boats pulled up above the tide line, palm trees behind the dunes and very few other visitors.
This is a working fishing beach, and the best time to see it come to life is early in the morning, when the boats come back in and the catch is sorted on the sand. In the evening, the light turns gold and the sun sets straight over the sea, which makes it one of the best sunset spots on the peninsula.
The sea here is open and faces the Indian Ocean directly, so it can be rough, especially during the southwest monsoon from around May to October, when strong winds blow onshore. From around December to April, the water is usually much calmer. There are no lifeguards, so swim only in calm conditions, stay close to the shore, and watch the locals for advice.
Facilities are basic, with a few small shops near the church, so bring water and anything else you need. Thalawila Beach combines naturally with a visit to St. Anne's Church, and it is a short drive from the Dutch Fort and the dolphin watching trips at Kalpitiya. For calmer, shallow water, the lagoon on the other side of the peninsula is a better choice.
At a glance
- Entry fee: Free
- Opening hours: Open all day
- Time needed: 1 to 2 hours
- Best time: December to April, at sunrise or sunset
How to get there
In Thalawila, in front of St. Anne's Church, on the sea side of the Kalpitiya peninsula. About 30 minutes from Kalpitiya town by tuk tuk.