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Arugam Bay Beach
Arugam Bay is located in the dry zone of Sri Lanka and is ranked among the three best surfing destinations in the world. The unspoiled fishing village is a popular tourist attraction and is perfect for those with a love for water, surfing, water sports and under water photography. |
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Bentota Beach
The Bentota Beach is the ideal place to enjoy the sun and relax, surf or sail. There are a number of local vendors around and you can hire equipment from them for a reasonable price. It is important to remember however that they always quote a slightly inflated price and hence, there is always room for bargaining. |
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Hikkaduwa Beach
It is the perfect destination for those with a love for water sports as it offers activities such as snorkeling, diving and surfing. For surfing, Hikkaduwa is only second to Aru Gambay. For those who want to dive down to the deep blue water of the ocean, there are some ancient and mysterious shipwrecks to explore and for those who want to view the beautiful corrals without having to get into the waters, there is also the option of glass bottom boats, which have become very popular among the tourists. The beaches in Hikkaduwa are sandy and beautiful and also safe for swimming. It is a good place to come if you are holidaying with your kids. |
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Negombo Beach
Negombo has a long and wide sandy stretch of beach that stretches along for several kilometers. Hotels maintain most of these beaches, while some areas of the beach are full of fisherman and their boats nd is a wonderful and colorful sight to see. You can relax and soak up the sun, enjoy some water sports and tap into your adventurous side and go for long walks as the sun sets above the Indian ocean. There are also many friendly local vendors along the beach that offer you an opportunity to grab some souvenirs. |
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Snorkeling and Scuba Diving:
Scuba diving and snorkeling are popular in the clear waters of Tangalle. When the seas are calm, from October to April, beautiful coral reefs, colorful fishes, and even sea turtles can be spotted. Tangalle Divers scuba shop near the Tangalle Bay Hotel offers daily trips during the season. |
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Hummanaya Blow Hole:
Hummanaya is home to the world’s second largest blowhole. Seeing the blowhole is an exhilarating experience, which shouldn’t be missed. Volumes of seawater whistle through a natural fine hole from beneath a massive rock in the sea. At the site, rough and high waves, which at time reach up to 120 feet push water into the triangular based rock bottom, and force it through a hole at the bottom of the rock with very high pressure. Located 40ft above sea level, this magnificent site was first discovered after a close scrutiny of photographs taken from the sea. |
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Trincomalee Beach
Trincomalee has some of the most picturesque and scenic beaches found in Sri Lanka, relatively unspoilt and clean. The area is famous for bathing and swimming, owing to the relative shallowness of the sea, allowing one to walk out over a hundred meters into the sea without the water reaching the chest. Whale watching is a common pastime in the seas off Trincomalee, and successful sightings are on the rise with the increase of tourism in the area. |
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Diving:
There are many diving schools around that will help you fear up and explore the waters of the Indian Ocean. Beneath the turquoise waters of Unawatuna, lies a wealth of underwater wonders including varied species of colorful fish and corral, turtles, ship wrecks and a few under water caves for the more experienced diver. |
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Bentota:
Bentota is a coastal city that is popular for its golden sandy beaches. It is the ideal place to unwind and relax as you recover from your long journey to Sri Lanka. Over the years, Bentota has developed into one of the most prominent places for water sports in the island as you can chose from a large variety of activities including body surfing, wind surfing, jet skiing and water skiing. The city is also popular for its toddy production, which is a local alcohol beverage made from coconut nectar. As it is a popular stop among those visiting Sri Lanka, there are many luxury, boutique and budget hotels to chose from. To make the choice easier for you, we recommend Saman Villas for a truly five star experience. |
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Unawatuna:
Unawatuna lies just 5km to the south of Galle. Its beaches are ranked amongst the top 12 in the world and the reef that shelters the beach provides a safe zone for swimming and bathing. Diving and surfing are immensely popular here. There are a number of reef breaks that provide an ideal location to surf, while the many under water treasures that range from a large variety of fish and turtles to ship wrecks and caves ensures that there is something for new and more experienced drivers alike. |
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Tangalle:
Tangalle is a small fishing town that lies in the far end of the southern coast of Sri Lanka. It is popular for its unspoiled and quiet beaches, colorful corals and exotic fish. It is perfect for those looking to relax and laze around in a quiet surrounding while enjoying activities such as snorkeling, surfing and swimming. If you decide to visit during the period December – April, you have the opportunity to go whale and dolphin watching. The chances of spotting them are quite high as it is often mentioned that the density of whales and dolphins in the waters that surround Sri Lanka is one of the highest in the world. |
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Negombo:
This city is located roughly about 7km from the Bandaranaike international airport. The city thrives mainly on the tourist and its century old fishing industry. There is plenty to do in Negambo, starting with the beautiful sunny beaches, where you can relax sipping your favorite cocktails and working on that tan. A visit to the fish market is a must because no trip to Negombo is complete without it. You must be warned! It is a smelly and slippery sight, but well worth it as it is a rare experience. If you are willing to drag yourself out of bed early in the morning, then you can watch the fishermen bringing their catch to the shore. Guests can also chose from a variety of in house activities that the hotels have on offer, or indulge yourself with a tailor made spa session to suit your individual needs. |
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Kitulgala:
Kitulgala is in the wet zone rain forest, which gets two monsoons each year, and is one of the wettest places in the country. Nevertheless, it comes alive in the first three months of the year, especially in February, the driest month. The Academy Award-winning ‘The Bridge on the River Kwai’ was filmed on the Kelani River near Kitulgala, although nothing remains now except the concrete foundations for the bridge. Kitulgala is also a base f or white-water rafting, which starts a few kilometers upstream. |
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Hikkaduwa:
Hikkaduwa is one of Sri Lanka’s most popular international travel destinations. It’s stunning beaches with colorful corals, excellent surf, numerous bars and nightclubs have and continue to attract a variety of tourists from around the world. Snorkeling has become a very popular pastime among those who visit Hikkaduwa, since it provides the ideal way to observe variety of colorful fish and corals found in the reef. There are also a number of shipwrecks around the area and those who are interested can dive down to explore them. Apart from the beaches, there are many other attractions just a few minutes away. You can see the fishermen at work, visit the peaceful temples that are situated nearby or simply go for a walk in town where there are countless boutiques with clothes, souvenirs and other knickknacks. The accommodation in the city ranges from guesthouses to international hotel chains, all of which offer access to the beautiful beaches where the waters are calm and swimming is safe. |
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Weligama:
Weligama is a small fishing village that is unspoiled by tourists and offers calm and scenic views of the breathtaking beaches. The city is famous for its stilt fishermen as well as the devil dance, which according to ancient Sri Lankan belief helps to speed up the recovery process of an illness. You will be given the opportunity to both watch and take part in the traditional dance before we head for dinner. |
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