A characteristic fishing town north of Colombo, it is a mere 6 km from the
international airport. Set amidst lush groves of coconut palms, it breathes
the spirit of the sea. Negombo is a gourmet’s paradise with sea food
in plenty. Old - world fishing craft, like the outrigger canoe and the catamaran,
bring seer, skipjack, herring, mullet, pomfret and amber jack, while lobster
and prawn are caught in the lagoon.
Mount Lavinia
Distance from Colombo 12 km
Mount Lavinia is an ideal place to relax and enjoy the sea. The beach
is crowded on Sundays and public holidays with large crowds gathered to
participate in many beach sports activities such as swimming, surfing
etc. The Governors House built in 1805 by Sir Thomas Maitland , now forms
part of the famous Mount Lavinia Hotel.
Kalutara
Distance from Colombo 42km
An important spice-trading centre controlled at various times by the Portuguese,
Dutch and British. Today it has a reputation for fine basket ware (visit
basket hall) and also for the best mangosteens on the island. Immediately
south of the Kalu Ganga Bridge on the main road is the Gangatil Vihara,
which has a hollow dagoba (Buddhist shrine) with an interesting painted
terior. By the roadside there’s a small shrine and bodhi tree where
drivers often stop to make offerings to ensure a safe journey to Wadduwa
is 8kim north of Kalutara.
Beruwela
Distance from Colombo 55 km
South of Colombo, Beruwela marks the beginning of a 130 km-stretch of
beaches, where resort development has made immense strides in recent years.
Good bathing in the bay all year round.
Bentota
Distance from Colombo 62 km
Bentota Resort complex is a romantic rendezvous of river and sea with
several hotels, railway station, post office, shopping arcade, cafeteria
and an open - air theatre showing folk and mask dancing with clusters
of palms overlooking everything.
Hikkaduwa
Distance from Colombo 206 km
The first area to be developed for Tourism, this is still one of the most
popular of our beach resorts. Hikkaduwa is famous for its coral and sub
tropical fish. The reef, which runs parallel to the shore and is only
a few meters below the water, can be investigated with snorkel and flippers,
or in a glass-bottomed boat. There are several wrecks in the area which
offer interesting dives. Scuba equipment and the services of licensed
instructors are on hire from PADI centres. A little futher down the coast,
there’s good surf for board or body-surfing. There is a generally
a community of international surfers in and around Hikkaduwa.
Galle
Distance from Colombo 116 km
South of Colombo, Galle is the most important southern town. It has an
old world charm. Believed to be the “Tarshish of the Bible”,
its natural harbour was a famous fort in days gone by. Galle is famous
for its Dutch fort, lace making, ebony carving and gem polishing.
Koggala
Distance from Colombo 130 km
Koggala beach is about 12 kms south of Galle. Stilt -Fisherman are a familiar
sight here.
Arugam Bay
Distance from Colombo 116 km
Arugam Bay is a fishing village 3km south of the small town of Pottuvil
at the remote southern end of the east coast. It probably has the best surf
in Sri Lanka, which forms near a low promontory a little further south,
and because of this it has developed into a hang-out for low-budget travelers.
There’s a wide, sweeping beach in front of the village itself which
is good for swimming; and south of the surf promontory a long, deserted
beach leads down to ‘Crocodile Rock’, from where wild elephants
can quite often be seen. The best period for surfing is between April and
September and during this ‘season’ the number of travelers –
most of whom are diehard surfers – visiting the area increases. When
the season ends the place empties and some guesthouses and restaurants shut
up shop, but this may be just what you’re after.
Since the troubles began, Arugam Bay has been on and off the ‘safe’
list, not only because of incidents in Arugam Bay itself and Pottuvil,
but also because vehicles on
Nelaveli
Distance from Trincomalee 14 km
Nilaveli is a prime beach resort in the East Coast. It is ideally suited
for sun bathing, sea bathing and diving. A few metres off shore is a small
rocky island good for snorkelling. Nilaveli was the venue for the 1985
International Fun Board Championships.
