Silent Beach, Sri Lanka: What It Really Looks Like (Photos + Travel Tips)

Silent Beach: At a glance

Location: Near Tangalle, South Coast of Sri Lanka
Best time to visit: Morning / dry season
Swimming: Conditions-dependent (sea can get rough)
Crowd level: Low to medium, most quiet until 11:30am
Access: Walk from roadside or access by Tuk Tuk down to the beach

Silent Beach in Sri Lanka isn't the top beach on everyone's list when visiting this beautiful country. It isn't as well known, mainly because it's a touch more out the way and it doesn't offer the cafe and surf culture that many of the south coast beaches do.

If you’re deciding is it worth visiting Silent Beach, I am here to help you... I visited in late January, right in peak season, and stayed at Amanwella, which overlooks the beach, giving me the chance to experience Silent Beach across several days, at different times of day and in different conditions.

Even at its busiest, it never felt crowded, and by the second morning it had already become one of the most peaceful stretches of coastline I’d found anywhere in the country. It actually reminded me a little of the postcard beaches you find on Koh Kood island in Thailand, maybe that's why I fell in love with it so much?

In this guide, I’ll show you what Silent Beach near Tangalle actually looks like, from sunrise and early morning calm to golden hour and the times when most visitors arrive, so you can decide if it suits your travel style.

I’ll also cover how to get there, the best time of day to visit, swimming conditions, and how to combine it with other beaches on Sri Lanka’s south coast.

Is Silent Beach Worth Visiting?

Yes, yes, a thousand times yes, Silent Beach is in Sri Lanka is definitely worth visiting, especially if you are staying in nearby Tangalle or Dikwella.

Silent Beach is for the laid back travellers, the ones that don't need concept stores and fancy beach cafes. It's for those wanting sand, sea, and the fluffiest palm trees you will find.

The beach is quiet, it feels true to Sri Lanka, and I really hope it stays this way... If you want to lay on the sand, play in the waves, and drink a coconut, this beach is for you.

How to Get to Silent Beach (From Tangalle & Dikwella)

From Tangalle:

Silent Beach is around a 15–20 minute drive east of Tangalle.

The easiest option is a tuk-tuk or taxi. Most drivers will recognise “Silent Beach” or “Amanwella”, asking for the resort is often the clearest way to get close to the access path.

From the drop-off point, it’s a short walk through the trees down to the sand, but some Tuk Tuk drivers do drop visitors off right at the beachside (it all depends on your driver).

From Dikwella:

From Dikwella, expect a journey of around 35-40 minutes by car or tuk-tuk, following the main coastal road towards Tangalle. The route is straightforward and scenic, passing smaller beach towns along the way.

Again, using Amanwella as your reference point makes the final approach easier, as Silent Beach sits just beside it.

Quick tip:
Pin the beach on Google Maps before you leave, mobile signal can be patchy near the access path, and having the location saved avoids any confusion with similarly named beaches along the coast.

What facilities are on the Beach?

The beach is undeveloped, this is part of its charm. Aside from the small beach shacks serving food, there is not a huge amount.

Food - There are some small, basic 'restaurants' on Silent Beach. These are more beach hut-style, serving fresh fish and some small Asian dishes. These are all at the far west end of the beach and you can grab a coconut or drink from a stall too.

Beach loungers - There are some spots with beach loungers available to visitors, I advice turning right when you arrive and walking along the beach to the far end which is where you will find them.

Toilets - There are no toilet facilities on Silent Beach, you can however use the facilities of a small restaurant which is on the path down to the beach. Do not ask the hotel to use their facilities, they won't let you.

Hotels - There is a 5 Star hotel on the eastern end of Silent Beach, the Amanwella. To access the beach you need to cut through the resort via its dedicated path, if you go off piste, hotel security will move you along. This is one of the best hotels in Sri Lanka, and if you can afford the price tag, it offers the most incredible views of the beach.

There are some one off villas around the beach if you want to save some money and still benefit from the gorgeous location:

This one-bedroom beach villa is just 200m from the beach, making it one of the best location Air Bnbs in Tangalle (prices start at £45 per night).

Alternatively, this luxury ocean suite is nestled between the jungle and the sea, offering its own bathroom, kitchen and private terrace (prices start at £75 per night).