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Sri Lanka offers various kinds of water sports: surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, snorkelling, scuba diving, jet skiing, and kite surfing. With pristine beaches, serene lagoons, and coral reefs, it offers a never-ending list of thrills for adventurers and leisure enthusiasts. With expert guides and top-notch equipment, the water sports in Sri Lanka scene caters to all skill levels. Experienced instructors and modern equipment in Sri Lanka offer safe, enjoyable water activities in picturesque settings, making it a top destination for water sports enthusiasts.
10 Water Sports In Sri Lanka
With a wide range including kitesurfing, windsurfing, snorkelling, scuba diving, jet skiing, and more, here is a detailed description of popular water sports in Sri Lanka.
1. Surfing
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Sri Lanka, located south of India in the Indian Ocean, is a stunning surf destination with 1600 km of palm-fringed coastline, stunning landscapes, unique wildlife, and a rich culture. It offers year-round surf trips with different swells on the west and east coasts. Arugam Bay, Hikkaduwa, Mirissa, Weligama, and Kalpitiya offer a wide array of surf experiences, with Arugam Bay offering high-quality waves, Hikkaduwa and Mirissa offering mellow waves, and Weligama providing gentle waves.
Cost/Person: 5,323 LKR / ₹1,500 onwards
Duration: 1 hour
Best Time: November – April
Suggested Read: Beaches In Sri Lanka Where The Golden Sandy Shores Await You
2. Kitesurfing
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Sri Lanka is a great destination for kitesurfing with beautiful seaside views and great winds. Well-known destinations like Kalpitiya, Mirissa and Bentota are perfect for beginners as well as for advanced surfers. Facilities include rental equipment and professional lessons, where one can get stunning looks at the shores lined with palm trees and the seas in shades of blue.
Cost/Person: 61,756 LKR / ₹17,400 onwards
Duration: 4 hours
Best Time: May – October and January – March
3. Windsurfing
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Windsurfing in Sri Lanka is an unforgettable adventure with wonderful coastal scenery and optimum wind conditions. Some of the famous points are Kalpitiya, Mirissa, and Bentota which contain different conditions of waves for each level of surfer. Kalpitiya is ideal for windsurfing as it provides strong wind and vast lagoons to surf, Mirissa provides scenic beauty with favourable wind conditions and Bentota has a safe bay and constant wind for windsurfing. These places provide rental equipment making the activity viable for all.
Cost/Person: 19,503 LKR / ₹5,495 onwards
Duration: 1 day
Best Time: May – October
Suggested Read: National Parks In Sri Lanka With Stunning Vistas, Biodiversity & Wildlife
4. Snorkelling
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Snorkelling tops the charts when it comes to the most fun water sports activity in Sri Lanka. Apart from Kalpitiya Beach, visitors can go snorkelling in Mirissa, and Bentota and can explore the rarest colourful corals under the seaworld. With its shallow waters and exquisite marine life, the place is a haven for travellers looking to spend some time away from the hustle and bustle of the crowds and have a peaceful yet memorable time.
Cost/Person: 7,098 LKR / ₹2,000 onwards
Duration: 1 day
5. Scuba Diving
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The tropical paradise of Sri Lanka is home to one of the richest marine life in the country. The Islands of Sri Lanka are a must-visit destination because of the variety of aquatic life that can be seen while scuba diving. Visitors can spot one of the densest coral ecosystems and reef formations enclosing most of the Islands. Participants can also find volcanic lava hills complementing these formations in some places, making the diving experience amazing.
Cost/Person: 7,098 LKR / ₹2,000 onwards
Minimum Depth Level: 40 feet (10-12 yrs) and 60 feet (12-15 yrs)
Maximum Depth Level: 130 feet (Above 18 yrs)
Suggested Read: Festivals In Sri Lanka You Cannot Miss Out On Experiencing
6. Jet Skiing
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Pasikudah in Sri Lanka is a premier destination for water sports and offers an exhilarating experience for adventure seekers and skiers of all ages. The most frequented ever-destinations are Negombo, Bentota, Hikkaduwa, and Unawatuna. Visitors can take a ride, have fun and get an adrenaline rush while enjoying the beautiful coastline and wildlife. Operators make safety equipment available, and they also offer instructions on how to manage the jet ski.
Cost/Person: 7,098 LKR / ₹2,000 onwards
Duration: 1 – 2 hours
Age Limit: Above 14 years
7. Kayaking And Canoeing
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Sri Lanka boasts 103 rivers, lagoons, lakes, man-made reservoirs, and canals, making it an ideal destination for canoeing and kayaking. The Kalu Ganga offers a variety of trips with accommodations at Eco Team’s campsites. Belihuloya offers a unique canoeing experience in the man-made Samanalawewa Reservoir, where camping and nature trails provide a glimpse of Sri Lankan rural life. Experienced guides and high-quality equipment are provided, and guests are encouraged to follow their advice.
Cost/Person: 21,295 LKR / ₹6,000 onwards
Duration: 3 – 4 hours
Best Time: February
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8. Banana Boat Rides
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Banana Boat Riding is a fun and safe water sport for families and groups of friends. Guests sit on a long banana-shaped boat pulled by a speedboat, enjoying a slow or adventurous ride. This not only promises an adrenaline surge but also poses great photo and video opportunities, so one can capture and share every instance of thrill against the stunning backdrop. Banana boat rides are typically conducted in groups, with the inflatable boat accommodating 4-10 passengers. Experience the thrill of inflatable banana boat rides and donut rides at Amaya Beach, Pasikudah.
Cost/Person: 5,323 LKR / ₹1,500 onwards
Duration: 1 – 2 hours
9. Fishing
Photo: Bernard Gagnon / Wikimedia Commons
There is so much in Sri Lanka that a visitor can experience as an adventure-lover at all levels, ranging from surfing to fishing. With its long coastline and immense aquatic life, it is simply an ideal destination to relax and experience thrills. Sri Lanka offers a diversity of fishing experiences, including both inland and deep-sea fishing using traditional methods like stilt fishing. One can be spotted fishing for big game species like Tuna and Marlin. Fishing for private or a group can easily be arranged through guided tours and charter boats.
Cost/Person: 5,323 LKR / ₹1,500 onwards
Duration: 8 hours
Location: Negombo, Mirissa, Hikkaduwa, and Galle
Suggested Read: Best Places To Visit In Sri Lanka With Family
10. Stand-Up Paddle Boarding
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Stand-up paddle boarding (SUP), a rapidly growing sport, involves standing on a large surfboard with a one-sided paddle, allowing for various activities such as surfing, river floats, and yoga. Standup Paddling (SUP), is perfect for families, improving balance and core strength, and offering a faster learning experience. SUP offers a unique paradise experience in Sri Lanka, with views of white sandy beaches, jungles, remote villages, bustling towns, Buddhist temples, nature reserves, and lagoons.
Cost/Person: 10,648 LKR / ₹3,000 onwards
Duration: 2 hours
Location: Baddegama, Negombo, and Hikkaduwa
Water sports in Sri Lanka attract many tourists who can participate in jet skiing, deep-sea fishing, and snorkelling. It has crystal-clear seas, warm waters, gorgeous shorelines, and amazing marine life making it perfect for those who are adventurous. For an easy trip planning experience, book a trip to Sri Lanka with TripXL and indulge in water sports activities amidst the stunning vistas.
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