Beruwala is located on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka, 58 km from Colombo, just a five-minute drive from the famous tourist resort Bentota. Beruwala was the first Muslim settlement on the island, founded by Arab traders in the 8th century AD. It is said that an ancient mosque near the lighthouse was built on the very spot where the Arab traders first landed on the island. Today, the mosque remains a focal point during annual religious festivals. Nearby, there is also the ancient Kande Viharaya temple, which means "temple on the mountain top".
The local population primarily engages in fishing. More than 400 boats are moored in Beruwala’s harbor; some are quite large and often set sail for several months.
The coastline of Beruwala is a well-known resort area, with many hotels ranging from three- to five-star categories. The bay is an ideal place for swimming. The watersports center, Confifi Marina, offers diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, banana boat rides, and jet skiing. Not far from the shore is a small island with a lighthouse, which can be visited by renting a boat for an exciting excursion.
