Adventures Down South – A Pro’s Guide To Sri Lanka’s Southern Coast  

A landscape of endless sun and surf, southern Sri Lanka’s coastline is a dream holiday. Discover the best beaches and sites around the region, for an unforgettable tropical getaway.

Natural Landscapes & Tropical Modernism in Kalutara

One of the very first stops on the journey down the southern coast, Kalutara is a lush meeting place of river and sea, dotted with historic temples and famed gardens. Notably, the landscape was the muse of 2 pioneers in tropical modernist architecture, the Bawa brothers. Tour the riverside Lunuganga Estate, and the nearby Brief Gardens, for a tranquil getaway of manicured topiaries and terraced fountains, with excursions available through Anantara Kalutara Resort.

Historic Sites in Galle Fort 

Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Galle Fort, one of the top things to do in Sri Lanka. Discover the beautifully preserved colonial town, decorated in Dutch architecture, cobblestone streets, and charming boutiques. Visit the Galle Fort Museum to learn about the region’s history and culture.

Dan arndt, Galle National Museum 003, CC BY-SA 4.0

Bentota, A Premier Resort Town

Relax and unwind in the popular resort town of Bentota. Enjoy a variety of water sports, such as surfing, windsurfing, and kitesurfing, or relax on the golden shores of the town’s beaches. Visit the Bentota Ganga, a popular river for boat tours and fishing.

Coral Gardens & Marine Life of Hikkaduwa 

This charming seaside town is home to some of the best coral reefs in the country. A designated marine reserve, and one of Sri Lanka’s only marine parks, Hikkaduwa’s shoreline welcomes rare sea turtles and fascinating coastal birds, steps away from a thriving coral and reef life.

Adventure Water Sports in Bentota

A Kayak on the Bentota river
A Kayak on the Bentota river | Hafiz Issadeen | Flickr | (CC BY 2.0)

If you are visiting Sri Lanka, Bentota is definitely a place to check out for water sports. However the town is very touristy and can get busy. If you are looking for a quieter escape then Kalutara may be ideal as it is only a short drive from Bentota. Though there are a number of things to do in Kalutara, water sports are a major activity here as well as in neighboring Bentota. This is a good place to base yourself to get to neighbouring towns. Hotels such as Anantara Kalutara Resort will be more than happy to organize water sports activities for their guests.

Some of the popular adrenaline pumping activities in the area include, Jet skiing. The Jet Ski is usually rented out on hourly basis. You could either take it out for a spin by yourself or there are members from aquatic centres who could help you. Other activities include banana boat rides which are great if you are in a group. An inflatable banana like boat is dragged on the water with the help of a motorised boat. The ripples from the boat and the speed make the ride a true adventure. A similar activity is the doughnut ride.

Water skiing is also a popular activity and some of the water sports centres have veterans of the sport training. There are various levels of courses carried out such as those for beginners where special adjustments are made to the boat with bars fixed onto them.

There are also facilities to pick up a new water sport such as wind surfing if you are in the area as the beginners’ course is around 8-10 hours.

Other than that another activity that is popular in the area is diving and snorkeling. A great activity for both adults and children alike and also it’s a great place to catch a glimpse of some of the tropical fish and turtles.

Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers.

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