Ventura Beach — Attraction in Southern Province

Bentota is a coastal town in Sri Lanka, located in the Galle District of the Southern Province, governed by an Urban Council. It is approximately 65 kilometres (40 mi) south of Colombo and 56 kilometres (35 mi) north of Galle. Bentota is situated on the southern bank of the Bentota River mouth, at an elevation of 3 metres (9.8 ft) above the sea level. The name of the town is derived from a mythical story which claims a demon named 'Bem' ruled the tota or river bank. Bentota is a tourist attraction, with a local airport (Bentota River Airport) and a handful of world-class hotels. It is a destination for watersports. Bentota also delivers an ancient art of healing called Ayurveda. Bentota is famous for its toddy production, an alcoholic beverage made out of coconut nectar. It also has a turtle hatchery, located on Induruwa beach. Bentota is a historical place described in ancient messenger poems (sandeśa kāvya). The Galapatha Viharaya is one of a cluster of five ancient temples in the region.[1] In the 17th Century the Portuguese built a small fort at the mouth of the Bentota River (Bentara Ganga), which in Sinhala was called Parangi Kotuwa, meaning the fort of the Portuguese. The river marked the southern extremity of Portuguese held territory in Sri Lanka. The Dutch subsequently allowed the fort to fall into disrepair, converting one of the large buildings within the fort into a colonial rest house for Dutch Officers travelling between Colombo and Galle. The British subsequently converted the rest house into a coastal sanatorium. Sir James Emerson Tennent (1804-1869), the colonial secretary of Ceylon (1845-1850) in his book, Ceylon, An Account of the Island (1859), stated that the rest house at Bentota, situated within a little park, deeply shaded by lofty Tamarind trees on the point of the beach where the river forms its junction with the sea, is one of the coolest and most agreeable in Ceylon. The British introduced the railway in the early 19th century, mainly to transport the coconut produce from the deep south to the capital, building a permanent bridge (Bentota Palama) to...

A perfect coastal escape - clean, calm, and absolutely stunning!

Ventura Beach quickly became one of my favorite beach destinations. The atmosphere is peaceful and laid-back - ideal whether you're looking for a quiet walk along the shore or just want to relax and listen to the waves. The beach is well-maintained with soft sand, clear water, and plenty of open space, so it never feels too crowded, even on weekends.

There's something for everyone here - families enjoying a picnic, surfers catching gentle waves, couples watching the golden sunset, and even solo visitors just soaking in the coastal calm. I loved how close it is to charming little cafes, food trucks, and beachside shops. Parking was easy to find, and the area felt safe and welcoming.

If you're looking for a place to reset, breathe, and feel connected to nature without all the noise and chaos of bigger tourist beaches, Ventura Beach is the spot. Don't forget to bring a blanket and stay for the sunset - it's absolutely worth it. I'll...

An extraordinary experience amidst an ordinary setup lies 65 kilometres from Colombo and is named Bentota beach. Soak yourself in the ordinary golden sand while enjoying the marvellous sound of the mighty Indian Ocean crashing against the shores. The mesmerizing view of the sea will leave you speechless. If you are planning to break the monotony of the routine just try your hands at adventure sports found alongside the palm trees.

Highlights: You can visit Kasgoda Turtle Hatchery and also go on a boat cruise on the Bentota River.

Getting there: Bentota is very well connected with the cities and is very easily accessible. You can ride from Galle or you can take a ride from Colombo. Bentota is approximately 101km south of the airport...