Must Try Water Sports in Sri Lanka – An Island of Adventure

You may be based in the vibrant commercial capital of Colombo; but heading down to the popular resort of Bentota, on the south coast, is a breeze. Bentota is a Mecca for all sorts of water sports and perfect for a day's excursion. There you will find plenty of schools teaching beginners the art of windsurfing, jet skiing, speed boating, mono-skiing, water skiing and many more. Snorkelling in Sri Lanka is quite popular, and apart from Bentota you can also enjoy it in areas closer to Colombo as well; Mount Lavinia is one such place and accommodation options here such as Mount Lavinia Hotel are ideal places to base yourself at.

Hikkaduwa too is located along the south coast and is quite a developed resort town; the place, in fact, came into being when the hippie crowds of the 60's discovered the areas vast surfing allures. There are about four main locations for surfing in Hikkaduwa with high season promising waves as high as 6 feet. On offer are deep waters and flat reefs, which the seasoned surfer will much appreciate. Hikkaduwa is not for the novice surfer.

Kalpitiya is just 95kms from the commercial capital and is perfect for kitesurfing; expect conditions to be just right there. Sitting on a sandy peninsula the area has the Indian Ocean on one side and a gorgeous lagoon on the other; the lagoon provides a secure and covered area for beginners to practice on calm waters. Mind you do practice before attempting the sport, as no-experience can often lead to broken bones.

You may think that Hikkaduwa is a fine surfing spot, and indeed it is but if you prefer more laid back environs and less developed infrastructure head over to the rustic realms of Arugambay. Listed as one of the world's top 10 surfing destinations, this eastern coast resort is now listed as a destination for international surfing competitions; besides, surfing the rustic environs are ideal for chilling out, snorkelling and enjoying swimming in the Indian Ocean.

Hikkaduwa is perfect for heading out on deep sea fishing excursions. Book full day fishing tours that include equipment hire and soft drinks, as well as, expert instructors who will make sure you return with a worthy catch. The best part of deep sea fishing, are the night fishing tours, which set off into a sky that's turning orange from a setting sun.

Negombo is the closest beach resort to the international airport and always patronised on arrival or when departing the island. Negombo is a sleepy fisher village that has developed to offer modern vibes while retaining verdant wild surroundings close to the coast. Just about 12 miles from Negombo Beach is a lovely spot for snorkelling and scuba diving as well as, daredevil canoe rides across the waves, in a traditional wooden boat.