Sun Worshippers, prepare to stretch out, curl your toes in the fine white sand, and get a glorious tan on sundrenched. Palm-caressed beaches that adorn over a 1000 miles of the coast of Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka is a paradise of unlimited sun, sea, sand and surf all year round. The coast often twists and curves into little nooks, bays and coves, ideal romantic hideaways. The Indian Ocean clear, blue and peacock bright, at a warm 27* C. Kissed the beaches the south west coast is at its best for sea adventures between November – April and the east coast the rest of the year.
You will find beach resorts with excellent facilities along the beaches that wind sinuously all the way down from Negombo to Hambantota. Diving and snorkelling in these waters takes you into an entirely different and equally delightful world, scattered with fantastic coral formations and colourful tropical fish. You may also come across interesting sunken wrecks at certain points along the coast. Sea adventures could be easily arranged thought your hotel or local travels agents.
You may also have the exciting opportunity of watching sea turtles coming ashore to lay their eggs on our beaches (special spots) which could be arranged through your hotel or travels agent. Fishermen along the coast still go out to sea in craft that have changed little in design through the centuries, and their long, weathered catamarans drawn up along the beach add to the picturesque beauty of the coast. You could even help the groups of fisherman drawing in the nets, and earn a fish for your labour.
The sea is fine for bathing and surfing, and there are wide expanses of beach. The hotels often have barbecues and dancing on the beach. Seafood is the forte, and scrumptious luncheon buffets are a weekly feature. Firelight and throbbing drumbeats herald performances of traditional low country dancing.
Short tours are often arranged from resorts to typical village in the interior and points of interest, such as Hikkaduwan (underwater coral formations & Marine National Park, Galle (Old Dutch Fort) , Ambalangoda (Mask Making) Bentota (Moonstone mine) and several Buddhist temples with interesting temple murals of the discerning travellers.
Location of the main international airport – Bandaranaike international airport, Katunayake is a very popular transit stop for visitors proceeding to Colombo or taking an early flight back. Several modern hotels have sprung-up of fording excellent facilities to the discerning travellers.
A characteristic fishing town north of Colombo, it is a mere 6km from the international airport. Set amid lush groves of coconut palms, it breathes the spirit of the sea. Negombo is a gourmet’s paradise with sea food plenty. Old-world fishing craft like the outrigger canoe and the catamaran bring seer, skipjack, herring and mullet, prom fret and amber–jack while lobster and prawns caught in the lagoon. Apart from beaches and sea-food Negombo has a unique charm of its own with narrow streets, small boutiques and Catholic Churches dotting the landscape.
Kalpitiya in the N/West coast is a stretch of land skirted by sea on one side and lagoon on the other and fast developing as a beach resort. Fourteen unspoiled islands basking in the sun, rimmed by the blue waters of the Indian Ocean and wide sandy beaches waiting to be discovered. Presently the attraction in the Dolphin & whale population which could be watched without sailing out to the deep seas. The region in and around Kalpitiya can be called the birth place of our civilization. According to the Mahavamsa, the great Chronicle and legend prince Vijaya landed on its shores, married a daughter of a tribal chieftain of the Yakkha community and became king. The country was called Thambapanni (red earth) due to the red earth found in the region.
Just 12 km south of Colombo, Mount Lavinia is an immediate city suburb and the beach is one of the better known even in colonial time.
Bentota resort Complex in a romantic rendezvous of river and sea with several hotels, railway station, post office, shopping arcade, cafeteria and an open-air theatre showing folk and mask dancing – with clusters of palms overlooking everything. Interesting boat trips to the hamlets bodering the river and the Meethiyagoda Moonstone mines nearby. Most hotels have facilities for water sports.
Home of the low country masked dancing(devi Dancing) and mask making. An interesting mask museum and a delightful beach for sea bathing.
Hikkaduwa is the place for underwater delights. Site of the famed coral gardens, hire a glass-bottomed boat of goggles and flippers and explore the fantasies under your feet. Marine National Park.
Galle is the most important southern town with an old-world charm. Believed to be ‘’Tarshish’’ of the Bible, its natural harbour was a famous fort in days gone by. Famous for its Dutch fort, lace-making, embony carving and gem polishing.
Close to Galle, is a beach resort popular with tourists as well as local traveller. It provides the beach facility Galle lacks. Hotels, guesthouses and restaurants line the beach road amid lush green vegetation. A fine reef for snorkelling. Placid deep blue sea, frequented by turtle who come here to lay their eggs by night.
Famous for its lake which was used during the second world war as a base for Catalina flying boats. It is also a favourite hunt of migrant birds in winter. A leisurely out-rigger boat ride will take you to small islands which dot the lake. Stit-fisherman are a familiar sight here. You may also visit the Martin wickremasinghe Museum of folk art and culture. The Purwarama Temple at Kataluwa shows a full range of styles of the southern School of Murals dating as far back as the early 1800s.
27 Km, from Galle with its picturesque bay, and an off shore islet where a French count built his dream house, Weligama is where you will see the famous stilt fisherman.
Built on the banks of the Nilwala Ganga (river), it is an ancient settlement. The Dutch Star Fort (17-18c.) still in good repair , the Weherahena Temple built underground with a colossal Buddha statue and the Polhena Beach are its main attractions. Matara, is protected by a coral reef forming a lagoon between beach and reef with the famed coral gardens just beyond the reef. The lagoon is safe for bathing throughout the year, and is a veritable marine wonderland. The sea off Mirissa harbour in Matara is among the best place for whale watching.
The southernmost tip of the island. A colourful festival is held during Aug/Sept in honour of God Vishnu featuring elephants, low country and Kandyan dancing. Octagonal in shape Sri Lanka’s tallest lighthouse (50m) dating to the late 19th c. is found here.
A burgeoning town on the south coast flourishing on the thriving fishing industry and the development activities of the rich hinterland. Just 08km from Dickwella at Mawella along the coast you come across a blow-hole (Humming Spout) perhaps the second largest of the six blow-holes in the world. You could see the water gushing about 18 metres over the rocks. If you are adventurous you may join a fisherman and venture closer to the spot by sea – an exhilarating experience indeed.
Most picturesquely located, Tangalle is four mile wide bay is a paradise for swimming and divers. Most of the hotels hug the bay. A 211 metre rock similar to Sigiriya, Mulkirigala is 21 km from tangalle. Instead of the palace in ruin there is a dagoba on top of this rock. The beach at Rekawa village just 10km away is an important sea turtle nesting site. Excursion to Kalametiya bird sanctuary.
The large well-sheltered fishing port is the centre of Sri Lanka is salt industry, Dry and arid, the blue palm fringed beaches give way to scrub covered savannah only the distant hills of Kataragama breaking the monotony. Incidentally a fast growing township with a new harbour.
