Indian Ocean is a key element to Sri Lanka’s tourist business. The tropical climate, sunny beaches and the tempting warmth of the water are the main factors that bring tourists to the island. The Indian Ocean is the world’s third largest, giving Sri Lanka two tourist seasons, one on the west coast and the other on the east coast.
Totalling approximately 1,340kilo meters fringe the island of Sri Lanka with its white sandy beaches, from the southern coast to the vast beaches of the deep south, and to the north as well as to the east, which are all tourist destinations.
Sri Lanka’s coastline largely surrounds with a wide coral reef making it ideal for diving. An underwater journey into the Indian Ocean will offer you to glimpse at a totally different world, full of astounding colour and marine life.
In southern coastal areas, Hikkaduwa Marine Sanctuary, and on the east coast around Pigeon Island off Nilaveli, near Trincomalee, snorkelling is a popular past-time. For surfing. there are first-class waves in Arugam Bay on the east coast, and along the south coast at Hikkaduwa and Mirissa. Unawatuna, near Galle, and Nilaveli, are safe for swimming and especially good for families with young children.
You can enjoy wind-surfing at many places along the coastline from Negombo to Tangalle and Bentota is known to be the unofficial water-sports capital of the island. It also has a river where beginners can gain experience before heading into the ocean. Trincomalee on the east coast also offers a fantastic alternative for wind-surfers. For wake-boarding and kite-surfing, Negombo and Hikkaduwa are places that are beginning to take off.
However, newcomers to the island should remember that it is rare to find a lifeguard at the beach in Sri Lanka or any flags indicating safe places for swimming. If you are less confident you should ask a local for their advice or just test the waters carefully and make sure someone knows you have gone out for a swim or dive.
