Beaches - South, West, North Coast 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. kisses 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'll find beach resorts with excellent facilities along the beaches that wind sinuously all the way down from Negombo to Hambantota. Diving and Snorkeling 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 through your hotel or local travel agents. Don't look out for sharks, they're unheard of in this part of the ocean. But whales and dolphin watching tours could be arranged through your hotel or travel agent. Hold your breath! You may also have the exciting opportunity of watching sea turtles coming ashore to 1ay their eggs on our beaches (special spots) which could be arranged through your hotel or travel 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 fishermen 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 villages in the interior and points of interest, such as Hikkaduwa (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 Buddhist revivalist period. Katunayake - 31 km 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 affording excellent facilities to the discerning travelers. Negombo - 35 km A characteristic fishing town north of Colombo, 1t is a mere 6 km from the international Airport. Set amid lush groves of coconut palms, t breathes the spirit of the sea. Negombo's a gourmet's paradise with sea food in plenty. old-world fishing craft like the outrigger canoe and the catamaran bring seer, skipjack, herring and mullet, promfret 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 – North West Coast 160 km 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 attract on is the Dolphin & Whale population which could be watched without sailing out to the deep seas. The region n 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. Mount lavinia - 12 Km S/West Coast 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 times. Bentota - 64 km 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 bordering the river and the Meethiyagoda Moonstone mines nearby. Most hotels have facilities for water sports. Ambalangoda - 83 km Home of the low country masked dancing (Devil dancing) and mask making. An interesting mask museum and a delightful beach for sea bathing. Hikkaduwa - 99 Km Hikkaduwa is the place for underwater delights. Site of the famed coral gardens, hire a glass-bottomed boat or goggles and flippers and explore the fantasies under your feet at Marine National Park. Other attractions in Hikkaduwa: Seenigama Viharaya, Gangarama Viharaya, Moonstone Mines in Mitiyagoda, Hikkaduwa Lake. Galle - 116 Km Galle is the most important southern town with an old-world charm. Believed to be "Tarshish" of the Bible, its natural harbor was a famous fort in days gone by. Famous for its Dutch fort, lace-making, ebony carving and gem polishing, Unawatuna - 124 Km Close to Galle, is a beach resort popular with tourists as well as local travelers. I provides the beach facility Galle lacks. Hotels, guest houses and restaurants line the beach road amid lush green vegetation. A fine reef for snorkeling. Placid deep blue sea, frequented by turtles who come here to lay their eggs by night. Koggala / Habaraduwa Famous for its lake which was used during the Second World War as a base for Catalina flying boats. It is also a favourite haunt of migrant birds in winter. A leisurely out-rigger boat ride will take you to small. Islands which dot the lake. Stilt-fishermen 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. Weligama - 140 Km 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 fishermen. Mirissa - 140 Km This is known to be the beach to just lay back. Unlike Unawatuna and Hikkaduwa, Mirissa is yet to be developed in many areas, the beach is ideal for snorkeling and whale watching trips are arranged during season. It offers the visitor that peaceful time which you rarely get in a beach location, There are decent places to eat and suitable accommodation. Matara - 161 km 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 places for whale watching. Dondra 165 Km 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.0ctagonal in shape Sri Lanka's tallest lighthouse (50m) dating to the late 19th C. is found here. Dickwella A burgeoning town on the south coast flourishing on the thriving fishing industry and the development activities of the rich hinterland. Just 8km 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 meters over the rocks. If you are adventurous you may join a fisherman and venture closer to the spot by sea - an exhilarating experience indeed. Tangalle - 196 km Tangalle - 196 km Most picturesquely located, Tangalle's four mile wide bay is a paradise for swimmers and divers. Most of the hotels hug the bay. A 211 meter rock similar to Sigiriya, Mulkirigala is 2'1 km from Tangalle. Instead of a palace in ruin there is a Dagaba on top of this rock. The beach at Rekawa village just '10 Km away is an important sea turtle nesting site. Excursion to Kalametiya bird sanctuary. Hambantota – 238 Km Hambantota – 238 Km The large well-sheltered fishing port is the centre of Sri Lanka's salt industry, Dry and arid, the blue palm fringed beaches give way to scrub covered savanah only the distant hills of Kataragama breaking the monotony. incidentally a fast growing township with a new harbour.
