Joanna James
Surrounded by water on all sides, the sandy beaches of Sri Lanka are the biggest allure for a visitor. Building on that, these beaches now have many watersport activities aimed at tourists.
Surfing is one of the most famous of watersports, and its popularity has never really diminished. Sri Lanka has many beaches famed for its surf friendly waters. The closest such beach is in Hikkaduwa. Located on the southern coast, it has been well developed for surfers with surfing gear easy to find on the beach. Waves are known to reach up to six feet in height. Another gem is Arugam Bay. The beach does not have the same development as Hikkaduwa but features a wilder and untamed nature and of course much better surfing points thanks to its deep waters and flat reefs. Furthermore, it regularly houses major surfing events and attracts talented surfers from across the world.
Situated almost one hundred kilometres from the capital, Colombo, Kalpitiya has all the right ingredients for a great kitesurfing session. You have the Indian Ocean on one side and the Kalpitiya lagoon on the other side, making it a covered paradise for a kitesurfer. Finding gear is not a difficult task as there are many operators who allow you to hire it for a per hour fee. If you are a beginner, worry not as there are qualified instructors who can teach and help you find the ropes. Once you have got the hang of it, you can venture deeper into the ocean where you are likely to come across dolphins and other rare marine species. The distance to Kalpitiya can make it difficult for newcomers to get there but many travel companies such as Connaissance de Ceylan can help you as they offer adventure tours in Sri Lanka.
While this might not be for everyone, the diverse marine life present in the seas off Sri Lanka makes it a perfect location for a fishing charter. Tunas, sailfishes, giant trevally, barracudas and even marlins can be caught in a deep sea fishing charter. Finding a company that handles the task is quite easy too. Be warned though, game fishing takes place only on certain months due to the monsoon rains so it's best that you plan your trip based on the monsoon season.
Another popular form of water sport among tourists to the country, the mesmerizing Indian Ocean further adds to the draw of it. For those starting out, a better option would be to try the Jet Ski in the rivers but if you are experienced in the sport, go ahead and take on the ocean!
Parasailing began only recently in the country but it has quickly become viral. Not only is it an exhilarating experience from start to end, but it also gives a person a bird's-eye view of the beach and the ocean. Many beaches such as the Bentota beach and the Negombo Beach now offer parasailing facilities. If you wish to try it out, keep in mind that April is the best time to do so thanks to the favourable winds.
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