Joanna James
Sri Lanka is a paradise island surrounded by water on all four directions. Therefore, it's one of the best places in the world to engage in water sports from surfing to white water rafting. An adrenaline junkie every dream, here are some of the best water activities you can enjoy when in the country.
The best time to go white water rafting in Sri Lanka is from April to November. One of the most popular locations is Kitulgala, which is situated inland about 90 km from the commercial capital of Colombo. The Kelani River is particularly fierce coming down the central highlands making Kitulgala the ideal place for tackling the rapids. Whether you are a beginner or a professional there are plenty of programmes available with a range of price categories.
The Indian Ocean waters are warm and comfortable making the conditions ideal for scuba diving all around Sri Lanka. There are many spots around the country where you can go scuba diving and observe the rich marine life that the island is blessed with. But the best spot would be Hikkaduwa. You can see all kinds of marine life here from the gigantic whales to scores of reef fish. The best season to go scuba diving is from October to May on the southwest and south coast.
You can go snorkelling all over Sri Lanka from the southern coastline to the east and west. Pegasus Reef is one of the many hotels that are located on a strip of beach that leads right out into the ocean. Some of the reefs that circle the island are so extensive you can swim for miles around and check out the beautiful corals. The best time to go snorkelling is during the spring months of March to May. If you are on the lookout for a Wattala hotel, make sure you find one on the beach so you can indulge in some snorkelling while on holiday.
The thing about going on a lagoon canoeing tour is that you can control the pace at which you are exploring your surroundings. Sometimes it is good to take a slow journey and be mindful of what is around you. Canoeing in Unawatuna is a brilliant way to see the lagoon and experience it by observing the natural beauty of the banks of the lagoon as well as the wildlife you will find.
The best time to go deep-sea fishing in Hikkaduwa is during November as soon as the major monsoons have ended. There are plenty of tours available so you can go out into the sea for a whole day or even half a day and the ship's captain and crew will facilitate everything for you. All you have to do is throw out your line and hope for a good catch or two. If you have any luck you should be able to catch skipjack tuna, sailfish, frigate tuna and various kinds of mackerel.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
