A wide, reef-sheltered bay of blond sand and shallow turquoise water, one of the safest swimming beaches in Sri Lanka.

Overview

Pasikudah Beach curves around a broad, reef-protected bay where the warm, shallow water extends 150-200 m from the shore, staying waist-deep far out. This makes it exceptionally safe for swimming, wading and snorkelling, and a favourite with families. Blond sand backed by coconut palms and beach resorts lines the shore, and calm conditions through the dry season make it ideal for kayaking and lazy sunset strolls.

History

Long a quiet fishing bay, Pasikudah was badly damaged by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and held back by the civil conflict. After the war ended in 2009 the bay was developed as a tourism zone, and a cluster of resorts opened along the sand, making it one of the east coast's most popular beaches.