Unawatuna Beach was named the world’s best beach by The Discovery Channel in 2004. That may be a stretch today, but Unawatuna is undoubtedly the best beach in Sri Lanka-none other offers the same combination of golden sand, a protected bay that offers the country’s best swimming, the famed beauty of the headland with its temple and sunset, and the laid back atmosphere of Unawatuna. Accessibility is also unrivalled, only an hour and a half from Colombo. It is simply the best all round beach in the country, and probably the world.