Bentota

Bentota sits where the Bentota Ganga meets the sea, which gives it the geography that made it the first developed resort on this coast: a long sandy spit with surf on one side and flat estuary water on the other, so that swimming, water sports and river trips all work from one place. Hotels line the beach and the river. Several of Geoffrey Bawa's buildings are here, and the Brief and Lunuganga gardens are inland.

What you actually see

• The sand spit - beach on one side and calm estuary on the other.
• The river mouth - boat trips up the Bentota Ganga into mangrove.
• The water sports - jet skis, windsurfing and banana boats on the flat estuary water.
• The Bawa buildings - several of the architect's hotels along this stretch of coast.

When to go

November to April is the season on the southwest coast. The southwest monsoon from May to September brings rough sea and rain. Christmas and New Year are the busiest and most expensive.

Honest expectations

The beach is dominated by hotels and water sports operators, and touts are persistent. Sea conditions in the monsoon are dangerous and the beach erodes. Prices are high by Sri Lankan standards.

Nearby

Lunuganga and Brief Garden are inland, and Madu River is south.