Great — here are top ocean‑view hotels across Sri Lanka, grouped by region with a short note on why each is a good pick. I’ve included official/reputable sources so you can check availability, photos and facilities.

South / Galle–Weligama–Mirissa (best for sunsets, whale watching, surfing)

• Cape Weligama (Weligama) — cliff‑top, villa-style luxury with dramatic 270° Indian Ocean views and multiple dining options; excellent for couples and privacy. (resplendentceylon.com)
• Weligama Bay Marriott Resort & Spa (Weligama) — large beachfront resort with many rooms that have balconies/sea views; good for families and surfers. (marriott.com)
• Three Gables Boutique Villa (Mirissa) — small beachfront boutique villa with direct beach access and ocean‑facing rooms; great for romantic stays and whale‑watching trips. (threegablesboutiquevilla.com)
• Mandara Resort Mirissa — larger beach resort with many sea‑view rooms and easy access to Mirissa harbour (whale watching). (mandarahotels.com)
• Jetwing Lighthouse (Galle) — iconic, Geoffrey Bawa–influenced hotel on a coastal promontory just outside Galle Fort with sweeping ocean vistas. (jetwinghotels.com)
• KK Beach (near Galle/Ahangama) — small, design‑led beachfront boutique where virtually every room faces the ocean; good for boutique‑hotel fans. (kkcollection.com)

Tangalle / Southern cliffs (best for quieter beaches, turtles)

• Amanwella (Tangalle) — minimalist luxury suites (many with plunge pools) overlooking a private beach; ideal for tranquil, high‑end stays. (aman.com)
• Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle — cliffside resort with ocean‑view rooms and villas, cliff dining and easy access to local nature/turtle sites. (anantara.com)
• Sooriya Resort & Spa (Rekawa/Tangalle) — hill‑and‑beach resort with rooms that advertise panoramic sea views and turtle‑watching nearby. (sooriya.com)

Galle / Koggala coastline

• The Fortress Resort & Spa (Koggala/Galle) — beachfront resort with ocean rooms, pools and contemporary facilities close to Galle Fort. (thefortress.lk)

Colombo (city ocean views)

• Galle Face Hotel (Colombo) — historic colonial hotel right on Galle Face Green with dedicated sea‑view rooms and a classic oceanfront location. (gallefacehotel.com)
• Shangri‑La, Colombo — large city luxury hotel along the Galle Face/Port City stretch with many sea‑facing rooms and modern facilities. (shangri-la.com)

East coast / Trincomalee / Pasikuda (best for calm seas May–Oct, snorkeling)

• Trinco Blu by Cinnamon (Trincomalee) — beach resort on the east coast with beach chalets and sea/sunrise views; good base for Pigeon Island snorkelling and east‑coast whale/dolphin season. (cinnamonhotels.com)
• Nilaveli Beach Hotel (Nilaveli / Trincomalee) — long white sand beach and ocean‑view rooms; close to Pigeon Island for snorkeling. (nilaveli.tangerinehotels.com)
• Uga Bay (Pasikudah) — east‑coast resort with most rooms facing the bay and easy shallow‑water swimming/snorkelling; good alternative for calm water months.