Water Sports

Sri Lanka is known for its remarkable and pristine beaches, rivers and lakes- allowing the locals to freely have access to it. As a tourist, you too will have the same advantage and perhaps a bit more! Water sports such as water skiing, jet skiing, snorkeling and diving, windsurfing, banana and tube riding are available. Water sports are highly popular in areas such as Bentota, Kalpitiya, and even Bolgoda Lake!

Surfing

While the beaches extend for miles around the island, you should find the right spots for surfing in Sri Lanka. Some of the popular spots for surfing in Sri Lanka include Hikaduwa and Arugam Bay. Being popular means it might also get crowded at times, so it is better to look for other options such as Weligama and Yala.
When selection a certain location keep in mind the different seasons for the different coasts. For example the best months for the southern beaches are November to April and May to October for the east coast.

Windsurfing

For a real wind-surfer’s paradise, head down to Bentota on the south-west coast of Sri Lanka where the exhilaration of cruising across the azure water overlooking the idyllic beach won’t fail to disappoint. For beginners of windsurfing, the more tranquil waters of the Bentota river or any of Sri Lanka’s many tanks and lakes offer an ideal training zone before heading out to the challenge of the ocean. North of Trincomalee, on the west coast of Sri Lanka, the sea off Nilaveli beach provides a fantastic east coast alternative for when the Yala monsoon brings strong winds and rough seas to the west. So whatever your level of experience, leave your wetsuit at the door and make the most of what Sri Lanka has to offer this exciting sport.

Scuba Diving

Diving spots in Sri Lanka are located near Pasikudah, Uppuveli, Arugam Bay, Unawatuna, Kalmunai, Vakarai, Galle, Kirinda, Batticaloa, and Colombo harbor. Most of these diving spots are open for tourists, however, if you want to dive near the Colombo harbor, you need special permission, as this is a restricted area. Wreckage sites are usually located in the deep sea and usually you have to be an experienced diver to participate in these deep-sea diving tours. Beach resorts of Pasikudah, Arugam bay and Unawatuna are equipped with excellent scuba diving equipment and diving instructors to assist the tourists.

Snorkling

Sri Lanka has almost thirteen hundred kilometers of picture postcard style wide sandy beaches. The more popular beaches are in the southwest of Sri Lanka. Though little crowded, boast of two of the best snorkeling beaches, while other beaches in the deep South and east are waiting for you to revel in their remoteness, serenity and unspoilt beauty and are ideal for a refreshing day in the sun.

Kite Surfing

The peninsula of Kalpitiya is one of the top destinations for kite surfing in Sri Lanka. It is the ultimate experience for anyone looking for adventure water sports amidst breathtaking scenic beauty. Sri Lanka is gaining recognition within the international kite surfing community mainly because of what Kalpitiya has to offer.
Kalpitiya is renowned for its excellent winds throughout the year, particularly during May to September, which is the perfect time for kite surfing. There are several surfing spots for everyone. Sri Lanka offers flat water lagoons for beginners and wave riding spots in the Indian Ocean for serious kite surfers. There are also opportunities for kite surfing excursions to over a dozen other sandbanks and nearby tiny islands. In Sri Lanka there is ample space for uncrowded kite surfing sessions, making Kalpitiya a haven for kite surfers.

Jet Skiing

Jet Ski is a speed watercraft, perfect for individuals who look for thrill and adventure. Hikkaduwa, Nilaveli, Weligama, Mirissa, and Arugam Bay and Bentota are areas where one can experience jet skiing.

Banana Boat Riding

Banana Boat which was invented by Glen Matthews in the late 1980’s is a water sled which is similar to the experience of tubing but caters to lager groups from three to ten individuals. Banana Boat is a tube filled with air sealed tight and is dragged by a speed boat giving you the thrilling experience of being slide through the waves. You can experience Banana Boat rides in the general areas where water sports are available but is very popular in Bentota, Beruwala, Kalpitiya areas.

Wakeboarding and Water Skiing

Wakeboarding and water skiing are one of the most exciting activities that can be done in Sri Lanka. The and many other water sport activities can be experienced in Negombo, Hikkaduwa, Bentota, Beruwala, Aluthgama and Trincomalee.