With amazing sand and surf all around the country and numerous waterways spreading through the countryside spider webs, Sri Lanka is a country that lends itself to water sports and other water based activities.
Swimming in the ocean and in the various rivers, tanks and lakes is pretty much a given. A lot of travellers tend to take a dip in the emerald waters found all over the island in order to cool off after travelling in the hot tropical weather present in the country. If you like the sun as well as the water then lazily lying about the beach will be the way to go. And in Sri Lanka where there is swimming, there is diving too. Numerous beaches in Sri Lanka has been famous for diving for many years; the Hikkaduwa beach and Unawatuna beach are at the forefront as great locations to get a glimpse of amazing coral reefs or colorful tropical fish. Snorkeling equipment is readily available at many of these locations so interested travellers can dive right in.
Surfing is the latest water based activity that has gained a lot of traction among foreigners visiting Sri Lanka. Arugambay, on the Eastern coast of Sri Lanka is the most famous for this. Depending on weather and wind patterns the best places to surf varies. But be assured, you can always find some sort of action somewhere at a given time.
White-water rafting is a watersport that has been gradually getting famous for nearly a decade here in Sri Lanka. The Kithulgala River is the best place for this activity. There are plenty of qualified organizations who offer this and I can guarantee that they make sure you get the best possible experience from it.
Sri Lanka, this past decade, has increasingly been attracting more and more of the adventurous type of travellers. These are the type of people who are looking for something more than just a holiday when they travel to a country. They want to experience every sight and sound a country has to offer and make sure they take with them unforgettable memories when they return home. If you are they kind of traveller then Sri Lanka has plenty of action in store to keep you occupied.
Ballooning is the latest activity that Sri Lanka has to offer thrill seekers. Dambulla is the place where this is available and you will be able to see numerous landmarks as you slowly float over the countryside.
Biking is an activity that has slowly grown more and more popular in the country. A lot of travellers who love long biking trips prefer the Kandy – Nuwara Eliya route, especially because of the challenging track and the amazing views of the hill country that you can see along the way. The town of Habarana has sort of become hub for travellers looking to bike and view the famous locations of the surrounding area, especially the ancient cities. The Habarana – Anuradhapura, Habarana – Polonnaruwa and the Habarana – Kandy routes are the most famous.
Trekking or hiking has been famous in Sri Lanka as long as one can remember. Nowadays there are quite a number of places which travellers love to use for hiking. A lot of these locations are situated around the Hill Country. The most prominent amongst them are the Horton Plains. Haputale and The Knuckles range are the most favourite mountain peaks which climbers like. A lot of other love to hike through forest and brush to catch a glimpse of a little-known waterfall, hidden away in the wilderness. The Sinharaja Rainforest, another UNESCO world heritage site, is another place where you can hike for hours, marveling at the various different species of trees and animals which live in it.
For travelers who really like Rock Climbing, locations such as Adam’s Peak, Ella Rock and Piduruthalagala, the tallest mountain in the country provide ample challenges.
The most novel experience that Sri Lanka offers to visitors who are looking for a novel experience is the Nature Track Tour or the Ethnic Tour. This activity enables you to follow the way of life which has been practiced in Sri Lanka, unchanged, for centuries. This tour includes a ride in a catamaran to a rural village, where you get to live a day of the life of a native, work in one of their farms, make rotis (a pancake like food item) and then travel on a bullock cart and have a meal consisting of local delicacies. These activities will make a unique experience to take back with you when you go back home. This activity is famous around the Habarana/ Sigiriya area.
