Outdoor Activities and Things To Do in Hambantota
Turtles on the beach
Five out of seven of Marine Turtles species can be found in Sri Lanka. Rekawa beach is home to sea turtles to laying eggs and returning to the sea. Turtle watching programs can be organized by Turtle Conservation Center. Turtle Conservation program aims to protect nesting sites and eggs. Visitors can go on “Turtle Watching” every evening. Visitors have to follow some rules about not disturbing turtles. Outdoor Activities and Things To Do in Hambantota
Bird Watching Tour
Sri Lanka is birds’ paradise and home to more than 440 species of birds which are migrants, resident and 33 endemic. The best time is for bird watching between October and April. From October, winter migrant birds fly to Sri Lanka. Visitors can see resident and endemic birds throughout the year. There are many bird sanctuaries in Sri Lanka which includes Kumana, Bundala and Kalametiya.
Kalametiya Eco Bird Watching Tour
Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary is excellent choice for birders. More than 150 bird species have been identified and also with different kind of fish species, mammals and reptiles. This bird watching tour takes about 2 -3 hours. Tour can be started either 6 am in the morning or 3.30 pm. You can ride paddle boat and the climb rock in this sanctuary.
Boat Ride & Safari Tours
Boat Safari in Walawe River
The Walawe River is one of longest rivers in Sri Lanka begins from Adam’s Peak. We can start the boat tour in Walawe River from Ambalantota. This area has a rich biodiversity which consist of 6 varieties of Mangroves, 72 species of birds, 52 fish species, 38 plant varieties and 28 animal species. If you are birder, we recommend starting boat tour at 7 am or 4 pm. During the boat safari, can be seeing mostly monkeys, peacocks, bats, eagles, and herons, king fisher, water monitors, and cormorant.
We provide boat, safety jacket, local experienced guide, water bottle and fruit basket with this safari. This boat safari will be unforgettable wild life tour in your life.
Boat Ride in Tissa
Tissa Lake is an artificial reservoir located very close to Tissamaharama town. The lake is tranquil and most area covered by lotus flowers and leaves. Around the lake can be see huge Rain trees. If you are bird lover, this is a great place to a observe birds.
Boat ride takes about two hours. Many people like to do a boat ride in evening because of nice sunset. We provide boat, safety jacket, fruit basket and water bottles with the tour.
Madu River Boat Safari
Madu River is located in a little town known as Balapitiya. Surrounding of river is carved by swampy marshlands with mangrove forests. This area has rich biodiversity. 72 species of fish, 31 types of reptiles, 50 species of butterflies and 111 species of birds have been recognized within this area.
Mangrove forests spread about 61 hectares and 25 islands are found. You can visit specially Cinnamon Island and you will have a chance to buy fresh cinnamon products. And do not forget fish therapy.
Boat will ride under tunnels which consist of mangrove. During the boat ride can see birds and animals that are living in this aquatic environment.
Diving and Snorkeling in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is the Pearl of the Indian Ocean and endowed with many beautiful golden sandy beaches and coconut palms. You can enjoy your beach holiday with diving and snorkeling. Around the island can be seen many beaches which famous for diving and snorkeling.
Where you dive in Sri Lanka depends on when you plan to dive because of monsoons. October to May is the main season and we recommend South and West coast. Between May to October is the best time to dive the North East coast. If you are a beginner for diving, you will have a good opportunity in Sri Lanka because there are great places have to learn.
Surfing Sri Lanka
Trekking and Hiking
Trekking in Horton Plains
Sri Lanka is a great country for all kind of trekking. Horton Plains is a one of best destination for trekking and considered as a super biodiversity hotspot also protected are covered by grassland and cloud forest. Horton Plains had been declared as a world heritage site by UNESCO.
Altitude of the plateau is about 2100 – 2300 meters and island’s second and third highest mountains are founded here. Horton Plains spreading across over 3160 hectares of the highland table of the island. Horton Plains well recognized for its rich biodiversity. About 188 species of plants has been recorded, which 63 belong to endemic plants. Horton Plains National Park harbor 24 species of mammals and 87 species of birds. Most commonly Sambar Deer can be seen.
Most famous attractions of the Horton Plains are World’s End, Mini World’s End and Bakers Falls Waterfall. The escarpment at World’s End drops 870 meters at view point. It is really important to arrive to World’s End before 10 am because you can see nothing when it is cloudy.
Climb Adam’s Peak
Adam’s Peak is a conical mountain which is over 2243 meters tall and located in central highlands of Sri Lanka. Adam’s Peak is also known as Sri Pada (Sacred Foot Print) and Samanala Kanda (Butterfly Mountain). Sri Pada is an important pilgrimage site in Sri Lanka. The top of the mountain has a huge Foot Print. Buddhists believe that this is a left foot print of Buddha. Hindus say that foot print at top of the mountain is Shiva. The Christians and Muslims believe that it is Adam’s first step after being kicked out of the Garden of Eden.
It takes around 5 hours to reach the peak. Many visitors start to climb during the night and reach the top for sunrise. The best time for climb is during the night because it is colder and less humidly. The pilgrim season of Sri Pada is starts traditionally at the full moon of December and end at the full moon of April.
Trekking Sinharaja Rain Forest
Sinharaja (means “Lion King”) Rain Forest is best place for trekking in Sri Lanka. It is a national wilderness area and biodiversity hotspot. Rain forest has been declared as a world heritage site in Sri Lanka by UNESCO. The vegetation of Sinharaja can be described as “Tropical Lowland Rain Forest” or “Tropical Wet Ever Green Forest”.
The average rain fall at Sinharaja is between 3000 – 6000 mm. The average high of the trees are between 35 m to 45 m, even growing up to 50 m. Few waterfalls belongs to rain forest and different kind of bird species, 8 species of mammals, fish and butterflies have been recognized here. And this is one of best paradise to observe endemic birds.
Whale Watching
Whale and Dolphin Watching in Mirissa
Our little island stands proud as a best destination for Whale and Dolphin watching. In east coast and south coast of Sri Lanka have been recorded different kinds of whales including Blue Whale. Also Sperm Whales, Fin Whales, Killer Whales, Whale Shark, Spinner Dolphins and Bottlenose Dolphins are found.
Mirissa whale watching season is start from November up to April. We recommend early morning to start tour. Tour takes 3 or 4 hours. Boats are fully secured. Life Jackets, Bottled water, Breakfast will be provided.
