Sri Lanka Beach Holiday Escape Option I (Summer): Trincomalee, Arugam Bay & Unawatuna

Sri Lanka Beach Holiday Escape Option I (Summer): Trincomalee, Arugam Bay & Unawatuna

This Sri Lanka Beach Holiday itinerary is designed for travellers seeking sun, sea, and slow island living. From the calm turquoise waters of Trincomalee’s east coast beaches to the relaxed surf culture of Arugam Bay and the iconic shores of Unawatuna in the south, this journey blends coastal relaxation, light marine activities, and scenic drives across the island. Ideal for summer travel, this beach-focused itinerary delivers a balanced experience of Sri Lanka’s most rewarding seaside destinations.

What You Will Experience on This Beach Holiday?

This beach holiday takes you through Sri Lanka’s most diverse coastal landscapes, beginning with tranquil beach days in Trincomalee, where soft sands, clear waters, and optional snorkelling create a relaxed introduction to island life. You’ll then move to Arugam Bay, known for its easygoing atmosphere, ocean swims, and beachside cafés, offering time to slow down and enjoy the rhythm of the east coast. The journey concludes in Unawatuna, one of Sri Lanka’s most loved southern beaches, where calm swimming bays, sunset views, and coastal dining provide the perfect final chapter to your island escape.

Is this itinerary suitable for a pure beach holiday?

Yes. This itinerary is designed around beach relaxation, coastal scenery, and light marine activities with no wildlife safari focus.

Which coast is best during this itinerary period?

The east coast beaches such as Trincomalee and Arugam Bay are ideal from April to September, while Unawatuna offers year-round appeal.

Can I swim at all beaches included?

Yes, Nilaveli and Arugam Bay have designated safe swimming areas; however, swimming conditions vary seasonally.

Is this itinerary suitable for families and couples?

Yes. The beaches included offer calm swimming areas, relaxed environments, and comfortable accommodation options for both families and couples.

Do I need equipment for snorkelling and water sports?

Basic snorkelling gear is often provided by tour operators or resorts; extras can be rented locally.

Can this beach holiday be customised?

Yes. Additional beach nights, upgrades, or alternative coastal stops can be arranged on request.

How are inter-city transfers handled?

All transfers are in an air-conditioned vehicle with a chauffeur-guide throughout your journey.

Sri Lanka Beach Holidays

Snorkelling at Pigeon Island

Arugam Bay Surf Guide

Trincomalee Coastal Tours


DAY 1 & 2 Wilpattu
DAY 3, 4 & 5 Sigiriya
DAY 6 & 7 Trincomalee
DAY 8 & 9 Galoya
DAY 10 , 11 & 12 Arugam Bay
DAY 13 Unawatuna

from USD 1,685

Per person on double sharing basis

Tour Map

Key Highlights

  • Visit Wilpattu – Habarana – Sigiriya – Kaudulla – Minneriya – Ritigala - Trincomalee – Gal Oya national park - Panama – Buttala - Yala – Udawalawe
  • Full-day safari in Wilpattu national park 
  • Visit the famous Avukana Buddha statue, Namal Uyana, and Dambulla cave temple 
  • Visits Kaudulla national park for elephants watching
  • Bird watching safari in Sigiriya sanctuary 
  • Climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress
  • Safari in Minneriya national park
  • Ritigala mountain hike
  • Night safari in Popham’s Arboretum
  • Visit Fort Frederick and Koneshwaram Hindu Temple
  • Whales watching in Trincomalee
  • Snorkelling at Pigeon Island marine national park
  • A boat safari on Senanayake Samadraya (Reservoir) to witnessing the swimming elephants 
  • Walk with Vadda people, Sri Lankan hunter dwellers, at Galoya national park
  • Hike to Gvindahela
  • Full day safari at Kumana national park
  • Visit Buduruwagala rock carvings of Bodhisatva cult, Dambegoda Avalokiteshvara Bodhisatva Image, and Maligawila Buddha statue
  • Safari at Yala national park
  • Visit Galle fort
  • Colombo city tour

What's included

  • Accommodation for 14 Nights.
  • 14 Nights’ accommodation sharing Double Room on HB (breakfast and dinner) basis as per itinerary. 
  • Services of TLJ’s English speaking accredited chauffeur-guide accompanying throughout the tour.
  • Travel in a late model mid-sized air-conditioned car.
  • Local transfers
  • Government tax and service charges
  • Entrance and activity charges directly pay at the site as per itinerary 

What's Not included

  • All activities not detailed in inclusions are Pay As You Go. 
  • International airfares.
  • Lunch, snacks & beverages.
  • Personal travel and medical insurance
  • Tips for guide / driver / assistant
  • Visa fees
  • Expenses of a personal nature.
  • Video camera and still camera fees
  • Permits at some locations
  • Welcome to Sri Lanka. 
  • Transfer you to Wilpattu
  • Evening safari in Wilpattu national park
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  • At the arrival lounge of Colombo Airport, you will be received by your chauffeur guide who will take care of you for the next 16 Days and transfer you to Wilpattu. Approximately 2 and half hours’ drive
  • Check in to the hotel and relax for a few hours. 
  • Evening safari at Wilpattu national park.
  • BBQ dinner around the campfire and overnight stay at The Backwaters Lodge, Wilpattu
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Available Hotels

The Backwaters Lodge

The Backwaters Lodge

US$ 116 - US$ 175 per night

Wilpattu Safari Camp

Wilpattu Safari Camp

US$ 231 + per night


  • Full-day wildlife safari, Wilpattu national park
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  • Full-day safari in Wilpattu national park for wildlife and hidden cultural treasures of the ancient port city. 
  • Wilpattu national park, world-renowned for Leopard watching, is featured with 42 natural lakes believed to be formed by the fallen of a meteor. In the western border of the park, the area called “Kudiramalai”, was a famous ancient Port City,  has a unique terrain with red colour soil not been found anywhere in the country is a wonderful sighting. 
  • Dinner and overnight stay at The Backwaters Lodge, Wilpattu
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Available Hotels

The Backwaters Lodge

The Backwaters Lodge

US$ 116 - US$ 175 per night

Wilpattu Safari Camp

Wilpattu Safari Camp

US$ 231 + per night


  • Transfer you to Sigiriya
  • En-route visit the famous Avukana Buddha statue, Namal Uyana and Dambulla cave temple
  • Safari in Kaudulla national park for elephants watching
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  • Breakfast at the hotel
  • Transfer you to Sigiriya. Approximately 2 and half hours’ drive
  • En-route visit the famous Avukana Buddha statue, Namal Uyana, and Dambulla cave temple World heritage site
  • The 5th-century Avukana Buddha statue has carved out of a large rock face and is 12 m in height. 
  • Asia’s largest ironwood forest and pink quartz mountain is located in Namal Uyana. 
  • Afternoon visits Kaudulla national park for elephants watching.
  • Dinner and overnight stay at Fresco Water Villa
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Available Hotels

Fresco Water Villa

Fresco Water Villa

US$ 55 - US$ 115 per night

Sigiriya Village

Sigiriya Village

US$ 0 - US$ 54 per night

Kaveri Ayurveda Resort

Kaveri Ayurveda Resort

US$ 55 - US$ 115 per night

Aliya Resort and Spa

Aliya Resort and Spa

US$ 116 - US$ 175 per night

Sigiriya King's Resort

Sigiriya King's Resort

US$ 176 - US$ 230 per night

Jetwing Vil Uyana

Jetwing Vil Uyana

US$ 231 + per night


  • Ritigala mountain hike
  • Night safari in Popham’s Arboretum
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  • Breakfast at the hotel.
  • Ritigala mountain hike. 
  • Ritigala jungle-clad mountain has 70 odd caves. Those caves were inhabited by forest-dwelling monks since ancient times. Though it was famous as a Buddhist monastery Ritigala is a strict nature reserve due to its vegetation. 
  • Night safari in Popham’s Arboretum
  • Popham’s Arboretum is a man-made forest. The natural habitat in this forest is famous for sighting Sri Lanka endemic nocturnal arboreal mammal of the red slender loris (Loris tardigradus) 
  • Dinner and overnight stay at Fresco Water Villa, Sigiriya
Hide details

Available Hotels

Fresco Water Villa

Fresco Water Villa

US$ 55 - US$ 115 per night

Sigiriya Village

Sigiriya Village

US$ 0 - US$ 54 per night

Kaveri Ayurveda Resort

Kaveri Ayurveda Resort

US$ 55 - US$ 115 per night

Aliya Resort and Spa

Aliya Resort and Spa

US$ 116 - US$ 175 per night

Sigiriya King's Resort

Sigiriya King's Resort

US$ 176 - US$ 230 per night

Jetwing Vil Uyana

Jetwing Vil Uyana

US$ 231 + per night


  • Morning birdwatching safari in Sigiriya sanctuary 
  • Climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress, UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site
  • Afternoon elephants watching safari in Minneriya national park
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  • Morning bird watching safari in Sigiriya sanctuary with picnic breakfast.
  • Then climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress, UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site.
  • Afternoon safari in Minneriya national park. The most number of Asian Elephants in a herd can be seen in Minneriya national park.
  • Dinner and overnight stay at Fresco Water Villa, Sigiriya
Hide details

Available Hotels

Fresco Water Villa

Fresco Water Villa

US$ 55 - US$ 115 per night

Sigiriya Village

Sigiriya Village

US$ 0 - US$ 54 per night

Kaveri Ayurveda Resort

Kaveri Ayurveda Resort

US$ 55 - US$ 115 per night

Aliya Resort and Spa

Aliya Resort and Spa

US$ 116 - US$ 175 per night

Sigiriya King's Resort

Sigiriya King's Resort

US$ 176 - US$ 230 per night

Jetwing Vil Uyana

Jetwing Vil Uyana

US$ 231 + per night


  • Transfer you to Trincomalee.
  • City tour in Trincomalee to explore Lover’s leap, Swami Rock and Koneshwaram Hindu Temple and Fort Frederick, Trincomalee
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  • Breakfast at the hotel
  • Transfer you to Trincomalee. Approximately 2 hours’ drive
  • En-route visit Fort Frederick and Koneshwaram Hindu Temple.
  • The fort at Trincomalee was first built by the Portuguese and then by the Dutch completed in 1624. 
  • Koneshwaram Hindu Temple situated atop of the Swami Rock is a classical medieval Hindu Temple devoted to God Shiva, contains ornate shrines, and a massive statue of Shiva and nearby Lovers’ Leap or Ravana’s cleft at Swami Rock is a rock cleft approximately 106.68m above sea level. 
  • Dinner and overnight stay at Anilana Nilaveli
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Available Hotels

That's Why Beach Cabanas Nilaveli

That's Why Beach Cabanas Nilaveli

US$ 0 - US$ 54 per night

Nilaveli Beach Hotel

Nilaveli Beach Hotel

US$ 55 - US$ 115 per night

Cardamon Hotel Nilaveli

Cardamon Hotel Nilaveli

US$ 55 - US$ 115 per night

Amanta Beach

Amanta Beach

US$ 55 - US$ 115 per night

Trinco Blu by Cinnamon

Trinco Blu by Cinnamon

US$ 116 - US$ 175 per night

Jungle Beach by Uga Escapes

Jungle Beach by Uga Escapes

US$ 231 + per night

Sailing-Trincomalee

Sailing-Trincomalee

US$ 231 + per night


  • Whales watching Trincomalee
  • Snorkelling at Pigeon Island marine national park
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  • You will be picked up from the hotel at 5.30 am for the Wheals and Dolphin watching tour. Tour takes about 3 hours. Picnic breakfast will be served. 
  • Trincomalee is an internationally important destination for seen Blue whales and Spinner Dolphins
  • After that boat ride to Pigeon Island marine national park. It is made up of two Islands and has unique coral-rich natural habitat. More than 300 species of coral reef fish make the beautiful underwater symphony.
  • Dinner and overnight stay at Anilana Nilaveli
Hide details

Available Hotels

That's Why Beach Cabanas Nilaveli

That's Why Beach Cabanas Nilaveli

US$ 0 - US$ 54 per night

Nilaveli Beach Hotel

Nilaveli Beach Hotel

US$ 55 - US$ 115 per night

Cardamon Hotel Nilaveli

Cardamon Hotel Nilaveli

US$ 55 - US$ 115 per night

Amanta Beach

Amanta Beach

US$ 55 - US$ 115 per night

Trinco Blu by Cinnamon

Trinco Blu by Cinnamon

US$ 116 - US$ 175 per night

Jungle Beach by Uga Escapes

Jungle Beach by Uga Escapes

US$ 231 + per night

Sailing-Trincomalee

Sailing-Trincomalee

US$ 231 + per night


  • Transfer you to Gal Oya national park
  • A boat safari on Senanayake Samadraya (Reservoir) to witnessing the swimming elephants in Galoya national park
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  • Breakfast at the hotel
  • Transfer you to Gal Oya national park.  Approximately 5 hours’ drive.
  • Afternoon boat safari on Senanayake Samadraya (Reservoir) to witness the swimming elephants in Galoya national park.
  • Dinner and overnight stay at Wild Glamping Gal Oya
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Available Hotels

Wild Glamping Gal Oya

Wild Glamping Gal Oya

US$ 176 - US$ 230 per night

Gal Oya Lodge

Gal Oya Lodge

US$ 231 + per night


  • Take a walk with Vedda person through the jungles of his ancestors
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  • Breakfast at the hotel
  • Take a walk with the Vadda people, Sri Lankan hunter dwellers, at Galoya national park.
  • Dinner and overnight stay at Wild Glamping Gal Oya
Hide details

Available Hotels

Wild Glamping Gal Oya

Wild Glamping Gal Oya

US$ 176 - US$ 230 per night

Gal Oya Lodge

Gal Oya Lodge

US$ 231 + per night


  • Transfer you to Panama, Arugam Bay. 
  • En-route experience the fantastic hike to Govindahela 
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  • Breakfast at the hotel
  • Transfer you to  Arugam Bay. Approximately 2 hours’ drive.
  • En-route visit Govindahela (West ministers’ Abby) for a hike. It is about a 2-hour hike. The view at the top is panoramic.
  • Afternoon relaxes at the Arugam Bay beach.
  • Dinner and overnight stay at The Blue Wave, Arugam Bay.
Hide details

Available Hotels

Whisky Point Resort

Whisky Point Resort

US$ 0 - US$ 54 per night

The Blue Wave

The Blue Wave

US$ 55 - US$ 115 per night

Bay Vista

Bay Vista

US$ 0 - US$ 54 per night

Blue Waters

Blue Waters

US$ 55 - US$ 115 per night

Babar Point

Babar Point

US$ 55 - US$ 115 per night

Surf N Sun

Surf N Sun

US$ 116 - US$ 175 per night

Aprota Villas Arugam Bay

Aprota Villas Arugam Bay

US$ 176 - US$ 230 per night

Jetwing Surf

Jetwing Surf

US$ 231 + per night


  • Full day safari at Kumana national park
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  • Full day safari at Kumana national park.
  • You will be picked up at 5.00 am and will reach the entrance by 6.00 am. You will be able to see leopards, elephants, and other animals. At the “Kumana Villu” a lot of residents and migratory birds and crocodiles would be able to see. You will rest at the river mouth of the “Kubuk River” before starting the afternoon safari. Exit at the park by around 6.30 pm.
  • Dinner and overnight stay at The Blue Wave, Arugam Bay.
Hide details

Available Hotels

Whisky Point Resort

Whisky Point Resort

US$ 0 - US$ 54 per night

The Blue Wave

The Blue Wave

US$ 55 - US$ 115 per night

Bay Vista

Bay Vista

US$ 0 - US$ 54 per night

Blue Waters

Blue Waters

US$ 55 - US$ 115 per night

Babar Point

Babar Point

US$ 55 - US$ 115 per night

Surf N Sun

Surf N Sun

US$ 116 - US$ 175 per night

Aprota Villas Arugam Bay

Aprota Villas Arugam Bay

US$ 176 - US$ 230 per night

Jetwing Surf

Jetwing Surf

US$ 231 + per night


  • Full day relax at Arugam Bay
  • Evening safari at Lahugala national park
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  • Breakfast at the hotel
  • Full day relax at the Arugam Bay
  • Evening safari at Lahugala national park. 
  • Dinner and overnight stay at The Blue Wave, Arugam Bay
Hide details

Available Hotels

Whisky Point Resort

Whisky Point Resort

US$ 0 - US$ 54 per night

The Blue Wave

The Blue Wave

US$ 55 - US$ 115 per night

Bay Vista

Bay Vista

US$ 0 - US$ 54 per night

Blue Waters

Blue Waters

US$ 55 - US$ 115 per night

Babar Point

Babar Point

US$ 55 - US$ 115 per night

Surf N Sun

Surf N Sun

US$ 116 - US$ 175 per night

Aprota Villas Arugam Bay

Aprota Villas Arugam Bay

US$ 176 - US$ 230 per night

Jetwing Surf

Jetwing Surf

US$ 231 + per night


  • Transfer you to Unawatuna
  • Explore Rumassala and relax at the Unawatuna beach
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  • Breakfast at the hotel
  • Transfer you to Unawatuna. Approximately 5 hours’ drive
  • Afternoon explore Rumassala and relax at the Unawatuna beach
  • Dinner and overnight stay at Araliya Beach, Unawatuna
Hide details

Available Hotels

Araliya Beach

Araliya Beach

US$ 116 - US$ 175 per night

Apa Villa Thalpe

Apa Villa Thalpe

US$ 231 + per night


  • Visit Galle Dutch Fort and do last minute shopping in Galle
  • Transfer you to Airport to say goodbye to Sri Lanka 
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  • Breakfast at the hotel
  • Visit Galle Dutch Fort and do last minute shopping in Galle
  • Transfer you to Airport for departure. Approximately 2 and half hours' drive.
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