Joanna James
As the seaside village of Balapitiya has the Indian Ocean on one side and the Madu Ganga river on the other side; it is no wonder that there are a variety of water sports available for thrill seekers!
If you are looking for things to do in Bentota, one of the first things to leap to mind is scuba diving. Bentota has several dive sites including coral reefs, large rock formations and a lobster valley. This is one of the best ways to get up close and personal with Sri Lanka's diverse and colourful sea life.
No visit to Balapitiya would be complete without experiencing at least one of its famous water sports!
The uninitiated may think that Snuba is a typo but it is, in fact, a form of surface supplied diving. A hybrid of snorkelling and scuba, the snuba diver is connected by a hose to a small air tank that floats on the water above the diver. On average the hose's length allows divers to dive down to about 15 feet and the benefit is that the divers can explore underwater without having to surface for air. Snuba is particularly recommended for divers who do not have previous scuba diving experience. Certain hotels in the area such as Shinagawa Beach offer snuba excursions.
Thrill seekers are bound to love riding on jet skis. Jet skiers get breathtaking views of the ocean and the beach as they speed over the waves. Jet Skis can also be ridden on the River Bentara and its adjoining lagoon. If you are below 18 years, the general requirement is to have a guide accompany you. Beginners can also request to be accompanied by experienced instructors so everyone has a chance to feel the rush of adrenaline.
Sea kayaking is different from river kayaking as it involves far more paddling and the kayaks are built for stability and ease of long distance paddling. Sea kayaking is a great way to access places that may be cut off from the average tourist. While this is not a high adrenaline sport, there is a definite sense of adventure when in a sea kayak. Sea kayaking day trips are popular in the Bentota area and a day package generally involves visiting the many islands surrounding the Bentota area. The package includes a kayaking guide, a sea kayak, safety equipment compliant with international safety standards and a briefing session prior to the trip. Some packages even include a fresh seafood lunch on one of the islands.
Wakeboarding is one of the most exhilarating experiences available in Balapitiya. It involves riding a wakeboard over a surface of water. The wakeboarder will be towed behind a boat which creates a wake so the average speed for novices is typically 30 – 40 km/h. Wakeboarding looks more demanding than it is. Those with water skiing experience will find it easier to transition to wakeboarding. One wakeboarding session can be quite exhausting but the experience is completely worth it!
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