About 58 km south of Colombo, Beruwala is the site of the oldest Moor settlement on the island (1024 AD) and the town even today retains a somewhat Arabic character. This is the beginning of a 130 km stretch of beach where resort development has taken immense strides in the past few years. There are several good beach resorts, built almost next to each other along the coast with beautiful tropical gardens and in such a way so as not to disturb the landscape. The bay offers good bathing possibilities the year round.