Bentota, situated on Sri Lanka's west coast, is bordered solely by the Gulf of Manara. This is a significant advantage because the bays generally have higher water temperatures than the open Indian Ocean. Consequently, the water temperature in the Gulf of Manara tends to be notably warmer than in the southern parts of the island directly exposed to the ocean.
The Gulf of Manar maintains a minimum temperature of +25°C throughout the year. While it's expected that the temperature in Manara Bay will rise during the hot season, the difference is not substantial.
Manara Bay is characterized by minimal waves, making it less suitable for surfing. Tides in the bay are also quite weak. During the hot season, tides are nearly imperceptible, but they become more noticeable during the rainy season and with the arrival of the monsoon, with waters rising up to 500 meters at times!
