Water & Land Sports
Overview
The warm waters - 27°C/80°F – around Sri
Lanka’s coast encourage wonderful 
surfing, diving and snorkelling.
The calmer inland waters offer windsurfing, water skiing, dinghy
sailing and jetskis.
Where and When
- East Coast April to September
- South & West Coast November to April
Surfing |
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Arugam Bay on the East Coast was home to 2004 National Championships.
This area is being re-developed following the cessation of hostilities
in Sri Lanka but as yet has a 
casual/hippy atmosphere. Not the place
for luxury hotels – try Lotus Park and Kudakalliya.
Kitesurfing is the up and coming extreme sport and Arugam Bay is the centre for coaching and German kite-sellers.
Hikkaduwa, Midigama and Polhenna Beaches in the south and west are good surfing beaches to explore.
Boards and gear are available for hire locally.
Do take local advice regarding strong currents and undertow in some areas. For the latest news on surf in Sri Lanka, visit www.surfing-waves.com or www.wannasurf.com.
Diving & Snorkelling |
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On-shore reefs and coastal wrecks afford ideal diving sites to explore a colourful underwater world. Trincomalee and Arugam Bay have greatest visibility from May to September, when the seas are calmer. Bentota, Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna and Mirissa on South and South West from November to April have numerous excellent dive sites with visibility up to 20m.
The Coral Sanctuary at Hikkaduwa is close inshore. Dive, swim
and snorkel with the parrot fish, barracuda and green turtles.
Polhenna beach has a reef that you can reach on foot from the shore.
Snorkelling
Available at all the above sites. Pigeon Island off Nilaveli on the East Coast, Unawatuna Bay and the on-shore reefs of SW resorts are particularly recommended but do check the strength of the undercurrent with local beach operators on a daily basis as many lives are lost through ignorance . Hiring equipment is easy and only Rs 150-200/hr or Rs7-800/day.
Dives and Courses
There are many water sports centres around Sri Lanka, and many P.A.D.I. recognised operators. Sri Lanka has a number of wreck dives around Galle, Bentota and Trincomelee.
Boutique Sri Lanka recommend and have teamed with the following companies for cost, experience, equipment, friendliness , and great locations year-round with well qualified leaders – introductory dives or courses.
Dive Centres
| Company | Location | Time Of Year | Comments |
| Dive The Snake | Bentota | November - March | For further details on courses and booking, click here |
| Trincomalee | April- September | ||
| Pearl Hotel | Negombo | November – April | Dives Euro 25 |
| Trincomalee from Negombo | June – October | Wreck Dives for minimum 3 certified divers Euros 150 each per day,
including: 1 deep dive (40m) to Hermes Sunken Aircraft Carrier 1 dive in flat water (20m) |
|
| Submarine Diving School | Unawatuna Bay | November – April, July/August |
Sri Lankan owner Gnare is extremely helpful and runs a professional operation but his internet acumen is less advanced and we are unable to provide a booking facility for his courses. He is happy to take bookings by phone or on the beach. Padi 4 day Open water course - US$ 350 For further details contact : Gnare on Tel +94 91 4 380 358 or email: gkoralage@hotmail.com |
| Coral Gardens Hotel | Hikkaduwa | ||
| Poseidon Diving Station | Hikkaduwa | Tel: +94 (0)91 22 77294, email: info@divingsrilanka.com | |
| Lets Dive Touchschule | Medille, Tangalle | Tel. +94 (0)77 902073 |
Rafting & Canoeing |
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The myriad of waterways in Sri Lanka offer a wide range of experiences from gentle guided canoe trips through the lowlands to thrilling white-knuckle rafting on the turbulent rivers.
Canoeing
One and two-man canoes – for solo or guided trips. Discover the backwaters, riverside villages and forests with a silent approach.
Established routes :
- Sinharaja Forest Reserve to Kalutara on the South Coast can be enjoyed as a day or overnight trip.
- Panadura Wildlife Resource Centre runs canoe safaris through unique wetlands inland from Colombo
For further details, give us a call.
White Water Rafting
Rivers are carefully graded from 2-6 to accommodate families,
beginners and experienced rafters. Children over 6 years are welcomed.
Best time to go is May-December when waters are highest and fastest.
Where to Raft
Grades 2/3 are Popular Excursions for beginners
- Walawe Ganga through Uda Walawe Park to South Coast at Ambalantota – enjoy the elephants from the river.
- Kelani River, SW of Kandy – “River Kwai” country. Organised (1½ hrs) trip from Kitulgala. Avoid Sundays when dam controlling water flow is closed.
Grades 3/6:
- The Sitawaka River – 1½ hrs from Colombo.
- Kotmale River – for experienced only. A 6-hour paddle at Grades 4-5
- Kal River – 2-day trip from Sinharaja Forest overnight camp invites you to exchange memories of ‘thrills and spills’ with your companions.
- Mahawella River – the ultimate challenge with Grade 6 drops.
Any very experienced rafters seeking big rapids should let us know and we will put you directly in touch with the best operators who will have up to the minute rapid conditions.
For day rafting packages, visit our review of Rafter's Retreat.
Kayaking |
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Hanwella is a tropical paradise amongst rivers, mountains, forests
and a rich ancient past, just an hours drive from Colombo. 300 meters
of the River Kelani frontage is lined with a pebbled sandy beach.
Kayaking (1 or 2 person) trips can be joined for the day and a beach
lunch is included. Paddle, swim for a while and absorb the river
wildlife en route. Guests are returned to camp in Hanwella.
Contact :
Adveture Asia Ltd , c/o Peter Stewert
Tel. +94 11 5 368468
Email: adventure@wow.lk
Where to Stay
Rafters’ Retreat offers an excellent package of rafting and bird-watching, whilst staying in their fun tree houses.
Paradise Farm, where your rafting thrills will be contrasted with accommodation in a private villa amongst organic orchards and a picturesque infinity pool.
Windsurfing & Water-Skiing |
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Where: Bentota River is favoured for the keen
water babes and sunbathers but Colombo Sailing Club on Bologoda
Lake is also an ideal break for the business/ holiday maker.
For the experienced wind surfers, head just off the West Coast in December/March, but the strong breezes are very challenging.
West Coast is home to Holger Brummer’s ski camp and wake boarding training courses for the beginner to the advanced competitor.
When: December to March is ideal but July - September and November and April are often fine if the winds and undercurrent are suitable.
Lessons and equipment are easily available
Cost: Skiing around Rs600 run to $120 for a week’s course
Surfing: R400 per hour – R4000 for a week’s course
Jetski
Strangely, still the latest “Look at me” sport on
at Bentota River. Life jackets and full instructions are part of
the safety package. Speeds of up to 50 mph are permitted.
Watersports Centres |
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(Waterskiing, wind surfing, surfing, jet skis and kite surfing)
| Company | Location | Comments |
| SIGI, PJ Mono Sports | Behind Sinharaja Restaurant), 26 Koluwamodara, Riverside, Aluthgama. Tel. 0777 544091 / 034 4289212, email: manoi@sltnet.lk |
1 round water skiing :R 600 Sigi has modern equipment and is extremely patient with beginners and was National waterskiing champion himself for many years. Located next to the prestige Ganga Gardens. |
| Sunshine Watersports | River Avenue, Aluthgama. Tel 034 4289379 / 071 765029, email : funsurf@eureka.lk | 1 round waterskiiing : R 700 Located on the river side in the Aluthgama town (next door to Sunilanka). Owner, Thusal held the National windsurfing Cup for 13 years and now runs a large watersports operation including fishing boat trips, jetskis, wakeboards, windsurfing etc. His equipment and teachers are of a high quality and he offers a courtesy pick up service to your hotel. He is a tad more expensive than his neighbours. |
| Sunset Araliya Watersports | Araliya Hotel, Kaluwamodara, Aluthgama. Tel +94 34 22 72468 / mob. 077 621 0526 |
Owner, Chandrasiri Silva, 1992 national mono and barefoot champion. The facilities and teaching are great but the hotel environment is not as relaxed. |
| The Pearl | 13 Poruthota Road, Negombo. Tel +94 74 872 824. | Hotel owner Marc, has partnered with a waterskiing training camp (run by German World champion) on the West coast. Training can last for 2 weeks and is an intensive programme for advanced and competitor level skiers. They offer slalom course, kite surf training (a selection from 1m material kites to 16 tube kites with harnessess) and Malibu surf boards. They operate from the West Cost (near Negombo) November to April and from the East Coast June to October . We can help you with accommodation but for further details on courses and prices, let us know and we will put you directly in-touch with The Pearl/centre. |
Dinghy Sailing |
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Where: Bologoda Lake in Colombo has a good range of sailing boats for hire, Hobby Cats, Lasers and Catamarans. Recognised courses of 1-14 days are run throughout the year.
Fishing |
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As with any island people, fishing has always been part of Sri
Lankan life. You may try fly fishing for trout, cast in the surf
or lagoons, challenge the big game fish or, in Boutique Sri Lanka’s
case, dangle your rod in the river at night with a fine bottle of
“Old Arrack”.
When to fish at sea
- On West and South West Coasts - from October to March.
- East Coast - from May to July
- Inland – any time
Where to go
Trout river fishing – Nuwara Eliya in the Highlands. Traditional fly fishing, a legacy from the early European settlers. You will probably need a licence, and good equipment and clothing is not available locally.
Coastal lakes and lagoons offer good catches. The breakwater of Colombo Harbour is a popular spot.
Night fishing on the rivers, Game and sport fish and Deep sea
fishing are plentiful, as they follow their prey inshore in the
warm currents.
In particular, Negombo on the West Coast - Bentota and Weligama in the South West and Trincomalee on the East Coast.
Your catch may include:
- Marlin
- swordfish
- queenfish
- tuna, barracuda.
Boutique Sri Lanka can arrange fishing trips for yourself and friends, or you can negotiate a trip with local fishermen. Don’t expect Caribbean style luxury or costs, but a bottle of Arrack will be well received.
Recommended places to book private boats
River boats from:
- Sunilanka, Bentota
Fishing boats from:
- Sunshine Watersports, River Avenue, Aluthgama/Bentota Tel +94 34
4289379 / mobile 071 765029
email: funsurf@eureka.lk - The Pearl, Negombo
- Lotus Park, Trincomalee
You will find willing ‘beach boys’ touting for this business, but be aware of their “commission”, as most will simply lead you to the above or the main local fishing harbours in :
- Trincomelee town harbour, East Coast
- Beruwala Coast South West
- Welligama Harbour South
Golf |
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An early settler on Sri Lanka, which offers three quality courses
and others are under development.
| Club | Cost | Comments | Places to Stay |
| Royal Colombo Golf Club | R1800-2400 a round, plus caddies’ fees R200-250 |
|
Colombo House and Havelock Bungalows are close by. |
| Nuwara Eliya Club |
|
If you wish to escape the large tour groups after your game, try The Heritage - a small, friendly, ex-colonial hotel. | |
| Victoria Golf Club |
|
Helga’s Folly, Stone House Lodge |
The Sri Lankan BOI (Board of Investment) are keen to provide a
round tour of the island in the future. Work is under way for an
18-hole links course amongst the flat paddyland of Bentota, with
completion in 2006. The complex will include a racecourse and casino.
Just 10 minutes away you can spend your winnings in the beach boutiques, such as Club Villa and Taru ; relax with a spot of fishing and a Sri Lankan meal at Riverside Ganga Gardens, or enjoy village life at the private villa Nisala Arana.
Cycling |
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Sri Lanka is a perfect venue for the cyclist of any age or ability,
with many safe trails criss-crossing the countryside.
Where: almost anywhere, except on the major roads
– tourists’ wellbeing is not often a priority in the
average driver’s mind!
- National cycling trail – part open – from Wadduwa to Koggala – 240km, easily tackled in bite-sized pieces, 20-30km.
- Ancient Cities of Polonnaruwa & Anuradhapura
- Mountain range trail from Kandy – tough- quality mountain bikes needed
- Ella – sleepy village in the Hill country with spectacular views of waterfalls, Tea, spice and rubber plantations
- Hanwella – Mountain biking in the hilly countryside of the Western Province
When: Cycling days are best begun early before the heat of the day.
Hotels and equipment :Bicycles of varying standards are easily available, and many hotels
offer complimentary/reasonably priced cycles and guides.
Illuketia Villa - South Coast
Nisala Arana Villa - Bentota
Kaladiya - Dambulla
Elephant Corridor - Sigiriya
Don Diogu Villa - Wellawaya
Ravana Heights - Ella
Victoria Golf Club - Kandy
Pre-planning is advised for those needing more sophisticated mountain bikes.
Price Guide for Bike Hire
Basic bicycle : From LKR 100/hour to 3000/day .
Mountain Bike Excursions
Day excursions can be joined at Adventure Asia camp in Hanwella, approx one hour North east of Colombo. Ride amidst tough terrain and alongside the River Kelani. Stop for a dip and lunch on the pebble beach.
Cost : LKR 2000 / person for a day plus packed lunch.
Contact : Adventure Asia c/o Peter Stewart
Tel. +94 11 5 368468
Email: adventure@wow.lk
Cricket |
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For many people Sri Lanka is synonymous with cricket; a national sport and impossible to avoid, as TV screens and radios reveal the commentaries from every corner of the street, office or bus.
For visiting devotees, tickets can be bought from the office of the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka for International Test Matches or one-day matches. For club matches the choice is unlimited – check local newspapers.
The most important stadia are found in Dambulla, Galle, Colombo and Kandy – all centres of interest in themselves. More informal games may be found on any open patch of land where a few budding hopefuls gather with their schoolfellows.