Mount Lavinia Beach

Mount Lavinia Beach runs for roughly 1 kilometre in the suburb of the same name, 12km south of Colombo Fort along the coastal rail and road corridor. It is the city's nearest accessible beach, popular with both Colombo residents and short-stay visitors staying in the city. The beach is lined with seafood restaurants built right on the sand, several of them converted from old beach bungalows. The water at Mount Lavinia can have a strong shore break and rip currents, especially from May to October during the south-west monsoon; swimming is safest from November to March. The 19th-century Mount Lavinia Hotel, formerly the colonial governor's residence, overlooks the northern end of the beach and serves afternoon tea and sundowners on its terrace. Arrive by 5pm to find a table at one of the beach restaurants before sunset.