Experience Arugam Bay beyond the surf! Dive into a world of the tropical paradise, diverse wildlife encounters, and captivating cultural experiences.

You’ll be enthralled by Sri Lanka’s breathtaking scenery, historic sites, and immaculate beaches. However, if you’re the type of person who is tired of seeing new places and is eager to get out on the water, the nation has some very magnificent things in store for you. You’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to water sports in Sri Lanka, from surfing in untamed waves to snorkeling in the deep sea!

However, because there are so many water adventures, we’ve compiled a list of the greatest ones just for you, water babies! For an unforgettable experience, make sure to partake in these activities while you are organizing your next vacation to Sri Lanka!

Activities: Sailing in Bentota, Catamaran, Water Skiing, Jet Skiing, Windsurfing, Snorkeling, Canoeing, Deep Sea Fishing, White Water Rafting, and many more.

If jumping into the water is your idea of heaven, water sports are the way to go in Sri Lanka. It will provide you with lots of chances to enjoy yourself, unwind, and have fun. Enjoy some incredibly exhilarating scuba diving, kite surfing, and snorkeling experiences that will leave you feeling completely renewed. You can also learn about the richness of the Indian Ocean’s tropical waters by participating in these water activities.

It is best to get the assistance of a trainer if you are not a hardcore professional. It is one of the greatest places for thrill-seekers and will also give you a taste of adventure in its purest form. You’ll have recollections from it that you won’t soon forget.

White water Rafting in Kitugala

Discover the thrill of water sports in Sri Lanka! From surfing to snorkeling, explore the beauty of the Indian Ocean.

A try at whitewater rafting in Kitugala is worthwhile if you’ve always wanted to live like Robinson Crusoe. In Kitugala, one of the wettest places in the nation, you will go rafting.

This location lies on the banks of the Kelani River, 90 kilometers from Colombo. Both novice and advanced rafters will find it an exciting experience because it has grade-three rapids. Your entire rafting adventure will make you very happy.

Optimal Time: The optimum months to choose this activity are April through November.

White water rafting is one of the best water sports in Sri Lanka and is an exciting adventure. The Kelani River is well-known for its white water rafting, which allows you to navigate the stream’s mild rapids. This is a must-do if you are traveling to Sri Lanka with friends or family!

Scuba Diving at Hikkaduwa

Discover the thrill of water sports in Sri Lanka! From surfing to snorkeling, explore the beauty of the Indian Ocean.

Immersion in the warm currents of the Indian Ocean is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. In Sri Lankan waters, there is a vast array of marine life. Sri Lanka is home to everything from the massive blue whale to the little nudibranch.

The wonderful cuisine and the welcoming natives make for an even better overall experience. Off the coast of Mount Lavinia lies this reef, which will never let you down. Some of the most exquisite aquatic animals, including rays, nudibranchs, and lionfish, can be found there.

Best period: October through May is the ideal period to dive on the west and southwest coasts. On the other hand, the northeast coast is best visited from May through October.

Scuba diving is one of the top water sports in Hikkaduwa and will immerse you in the fascinating underwater world. Dive deep into the sea to see how it works, swim with the fish, and discover underwater life!

Snorkeling

Discover the thrill of water sports in Sri Lanka! From surfing to snorkeling, explore the beauty of the Indian Ocean.

It’s time for you to try the Sri Lankan waters, which stretch for three nautical miles in length if you want a great snorkeling tour. There are several such daring activities available along Sri Lanka’s whole southern coast.

Bar Reef is thought to be the largest reef in Sri Lanka, therefore, if you want the experience to reach its pinnacle, give it a try.

Highlights: Try snorkeling in Hikkaduwaa, Weligama, and Kirinda for the best experience.

Ideal Time: March, April, or May are the ideal months to engage in this activity.

One of the best water sports in Sri Lanka to excite your senses is snorkeling! Dive deep into the ocean and marvel at the colorful coral reefs, shipwrecks, and tropical fish. Hikkaduwa Beach, Kalpitiya Beach, and Pigeon Island are the best locations for snorkeling. You now know where to go immediately as well!

Surfing

Experience Arugam Bay beyond the surf! Dive into a world of the tropical paradise, diverse wildlife encounters, and captivating cultural experiences.

With your surfboard, peel off the waves and start the adventure! Surfing is an exhilarating activity that will undoubtedly leave you with lifelong memories. It is among the most well-known activities in Sri Lanka.

While several Sri Lankan beaches offer surfing, Weligama Beach is the place to go if you want to enjoy surfing in the warm water like the pros. You can, however, also try other beaches, too many to mention, such as Arugm Bay, Hikkaduwa, and Unawatuna.

In order to master the fundamentals of surfing in safe seas, it is always preferable to learn from a trainer, regardless of experience level.

The best times to visit vary depending on the beach, but ideally, one should go between November and April.

The Lagoon Canoeing Tour at Unuwatuna

Discover the thrill of water sports in Sri Lanka! From surfing to snorkeling, explore the beauty of the Indian Ocean.

Canoeing is a beautiful experience in Galle and also one of the best activities to do in Galle. Unawatuna is an astounding island where most of the adventure sports happen in Galle. It is brimmed with canals, lagoons, beaches, rivers, and reservoirs.

Canoeing can take you in the midst of the natural beauty of flora and fauna, characterized by changing landscapes and fascinating mangroves.

Where: Galle’s Unuwatuna LagoonHours and timings: two hours of paddling begin at 8 or 8:30 in the morning.

Highlights: A life jacket, water, and refreshments are included in the canoeing tour, along with a local guide. A tuk-tuk can take you to the Unawatuna Lagoon. You would get the opportunity to investigate the deeper mangrove sector, the pristine coastline flora and fauna, etc.

Timing: This tour is best done in the morning or the evening.

Kayaking

Discover the thrill of water sports in Sri Lanka! From surfing to snorkeling, explore the beauty of the Indian Ocean.

Canoeing and kayaking are merely forms of transportation that were originally employed by fishermen. Kayaking is an option on the well-known Kalu Ganga River, which runs to Kalutara, a town on the west coast, where it eventually reaches the Indian Ocean.

You may also get a look at the interesting local flora and fauna while kayaking. Among the many large reservoirs in the nation is Samanalawewa Reservoir, where you may also attempt river canoeing in its placid waters.

Best Time: October to early May is a nice time to come when it is less windy.

Medium Difficulty: If you are renting, you should be able to swim and hike 1.5 miles.

Jet Ski

Discover the thrill of water sports in Sri Lanka! From surfing to snorkeling, explore the beauty of the Indian Ocean.

Sri Lanka is one of the greatest places in the world for water activities because of its beautiful natural surroundings, verdant palm trees, golden beaches, emerald green ocean, and pleasant year-round weather. One of the best water sports for people who enjoy racing against the powerful tides is jet skiing.

As the ocean lifts you and you soar through the foggy sea, feel the rush of adrenaline coursing through your body.

Location: The hub of all water sports in Sri Lanka is Bentota. Situated in the Galle neighborhood, it offers a variety of water sports activities. The Colombo International Airport is only 15 kilometers away from Negombo, another location.

Best Time: From October to April on the west coast and from March to November on the east coast are the ideal times to visit if you want to do jet skiing.

Water Skiing

Discover the thrill of water sports in Sri Lanka! From surfing to snorkeling, explore the beauty of the Indian Ocean.

Sri Lanka has the best possible conditions for waterskiing because of its stunning sandy beaches, vibrant coral reefs, and crystal-clear blue water set against a year-round tropical climate. Even if you’re a beginner, you can simply learn to ski because there are water ski camps in all the main places.


As you race against the powerful ocean waves, feel the thrill of adrenaline coursing through your system. Sri Lanka is divided into two distinct climate zones: the north-east and the south-west. On the South West coast, October through April is the optimal time to go water skiing; on the North East coast, the greatest time to go is March through November.

Location: Negombo, Hikkaduwa, Bentota, and Kumudu Valley are the main spots in Sri Lanka for water skiing.

Cost: Approximately, eleven rounds cost 10,000 LKR, whereas one round costs 1,000 LKR.

Level of Difficulty: Suitable for both novices and specialists.

Banana & Tube Ride

Discover the thrill of water sports in Sri Lanka! From surfing to snorkeling, explore the beauty of the Indian Ocean.

Banana rides and tubing are the greatest water sports in Sri Lanka for families looking for low danger and high entertainment. The banana ride offers you the excitement of a lifetime as a motorboat pulls a long, banana-shaped boat at a high pace. Sitting atop an inner tube, you will be dragged across the water by the watercraft while tubing or riding the tube. These leisure pursuits are ideal for small families looking to enjoy quality time together.

Location: Bentota, Sri Lanka’s epicenter for water activities, is where you can enjoy this exciting water ride. At Negombo Lagoon, you can take your family to enjoy the sport as well.

greatest time: October through April are the greatest months to go because of the milder waves and less precipitation.

Cost: The approximate starting price for six individuals is 4000 LKR

Speed Boat Ride

Discover the thrill of water sports in Sri Lanka! From surfing to snorkeling, explore the beauty of the Indian Ocean.

With exhilarating speed boat rides in the stunning emerald water of Sri Lankan beaches, experience the ocean breeze blowing over your face and hair. An enjoyable family outing with minimal safety risks is the perfect way to pass a few hours of your vacation.

Savor the thrill of a speed boat ride while letting out lots of laughs and yells. The speed boat is an unforgettable and thrilling water sport in Sri Lanka, perfect for small groups or families.

Location: Bentota, Sri Lanka, a seaside town in the Galle district, offers almost all water activities.

Best Time: With a tropical atmosphere and little precipitation, October through April are the best months to visit.

Cost: This is determined by the boat’s speed and the period of the journey. 85 HP for one hour and LKR 12,000 and 115 HP for one hour and LKR 15,000.

Kite Surfing

Discover the thrill of water sports in Sri Lanka! From surfing to snorkeling, explore the beauty of the Indian Ocean.

The kite surfing adventure in Kalpitiya will provide you with an incredible experience if you want to kite in paradise. One of the best water sports in Sri Lanka is kite surfing, and the Kalpitiya Lagoon is the ideal location for beginners and freestylers. It is among the most well-liked activities in Sri Lanka.

If you’re interested in receiving instruction, there are a number of institutions where qualified instructors can teach you the basics of kite surfing. Many lodging options are available in the neighborhood, making it simpler for everyone to attempt this adventurous sport.

Location: It takes about three hours to go to Kalpitiya from Colombo.

Highlights: Due to the strong winds in the afternoon, this is the ideal time of day to practice kite surfing.

Best Time: December to March and May to October.


Cost: The approximate starting price is USD 45.

Sea Plane Ride

Discover the thrill of water sports in Sri Lanka! From surfing to snorkeling, explore the beauty of the Indian Ocean.

Sri Lanka is blessed with incredible natural beauty and a diverse range of cultures. Experiences to remember for a lifetime include the golden beaches, magnificent flora and fauna, varied topography, vibrant culture that dates back more than 2,000 years, and stunning heritage architecture. Take a relaxing seaplane flight over Sri Lanka to get a bird’s eye perspective of this magnificent island.

Savor the verdant terrain featuring tea plantations and rice fields. Enjoy the sights of some of the amazing historical buildings and witness the countless ways that the beauty of the natural world is revealed before your eyes. The majority of Sri Lanka may be reached via the rides.

Location: Colombo, Bentota, Batticaloa, Dickwella, Kandy, Koggala, Sigiriya, Trincomalee, and numerous other cities are the places from which the rides are offered.

Duration: The ride may run anywhere from ten to sixty minutes.

Cost: The approximate price is between LKR 25,000 and LKR 40,000.