For sports and golf enthusiasts, Sri Lanka is a perfect playground. If watersports are your thing, you won’t be disappointed – Sri Lanka’s coastal towns and cities are replete with opportunities to get out on the waves! Whether you’re into surfing, kitesurfing, diving or windsurfing, you’ll find optimal conditions all around the coast. For beginners, there are hundreds of schools offering lessons and rental equipment, so you can spend your trip mastering a new, exhilarating sport.
For golfers, there are several spectacular courses and resorts dotted around the country. Golf was introduced to Sri Lanka way back n the 19th century and has been a popular sport in the country ever since. Courses are immaculately maintained, beautifully designed and optimally located for breathtaking views throughout your stay.
For sports and golf fanatics, here are the best towns and cities to visit in Sri Lanka!
Best places to surf in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is a world-famous surfing destination, with a wide range of surf spots to suit every level. From beginner waves to epic swells, the shores of Sri Lanka draw an international crowd of surfers every year. But where are the best places in the country to learn the basics and hone your skills out on the waves?
Hikkaduwa
Hikkaduwa is one of the most popular surfing destinations in Sri Lanka. This chilled-out beach town is a favourite one among tourists and a great place to learn the basics or put your skills to the test, depending on which break you choose.
Beginner surfers should head to the popular Beach Break, where the safe, sandy bottom and small waves make a perfect playground for newbies. Rend a board or book some lessons to learn the basics and get yourself started!
Intermediate surfers hang out at Main Reef, which has larger waves and a more powerful swell than Beach Break. It’s a great spot to put your new skills to the test and gain confidence out on the waves. This is the most popular surf break in Hikkaduwa, however, and can get crowded during high season.
Experienced surfers ride the waves at Benny’s, where the waves often top 6 ft. The powerful swell comes in fast from the left and breaks over a sharp, coral reef – only brave the waves here if you know what you’re doing!
Weligama
Weligama has decent swell year-round and is popular among beginner and intermediate surfers. There are several surf schools in the area where you can take your first lessons or get some expert tips
Beginner surfers should start out at the Weligama Beach Break, where the sandy bottom and small waves create a perfect place for starting out.
Intermediate surfers looking to try their first reef break should check out Lazy Left and Lazy Right. These breaks sit opposite one another in Midigama Bay and have long, mellow waves over a deep reef where beginner and intermediate surfers can hone their skills.
Experienced surfers can put their skills to the test at Rams, which can also be found in Midigama Bay. The powerful waves here break over a sharp, shallow coral reef, and are only safe for advanced surfers. The occasional barrel ups the ante at Rams and makes this break a favourite among surfing pros!
Arugam Bay
Arugam Bay has some of the best waves in Sri Lanka. It’s no surprise that the town is a hit among experienced surfers, though beginners and intermediate surfers can still find breaks to suit their skill level.
Beginner surfers should check out Baby Point in Arugam Bay, which has a safe, sandy bottom and manageable waves.
Intermediate surfers can also find good swell in Arugam Bay – Main Point is the big brother of Baby Point and is the most popular in the area. The rocky is bottom and steep, and the fast waves present more of a challenge for intermediate surfers. This spot is always crowded, however, especially during high season.
Experienced surfers will find more powerful swell at The Point. Waves here can reach 6 ft, and you may even see the occasional barrel.
Best places for scuba diving in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s tropical waters are home to some sensational dive spots. From vibrant coral reefs to magnificent shipwrecks, the warm Indian ocean has plenty to offer underwater explorers. Sri Lanka is a great place to learn to dive with a PADI Open Water Diver course or to do a fun-dive and admire the incredible marine life around the coast.
Trincomalee
Trincomalee is home to the world-famous Pigeon Island Marine Sanctuary where you can see black-tip reef sharks, sea turtles, and incredible coral reefs. Dive sites around Trincomalee also have a rich abundance of vibrant tropical fish including parrot fish, blue snappers, morays and more! Take a diving tour to explore the underwater paradise around the shores of this northeastern coastal city, for an unforgettable look at Sri Lanka’s marine inhabitants.
Passekudah
There are several incredible dive sites around Passekudah, where the ocean floor is dotted with wrecks. These thriving habitats are home to dozens of magnificent marine species, such as scorpionfish, sweetlips, snappers, stingray, angelfish, turtles, parrotfish and much, much more. The opportunities for underwater exploration around this eastern coastal town are endless, making it a must-visit for diving enthusiasts.
Kirinda
The diverse and colourful marine landscape around Kirinda makes it one of the best for scuba diving in Sri Lanka. The Great Basses Dive Site is an incredible 40 km stretch of reef and is home to a plethora of aquatic life forms. A diving expedition here can get you up close with some incredible species such as angelfish, grey sharks, tuna, rays and even porpoises! There are also several shipwrecks around the Great Basses. The sunken ships make the best marine habitats and are fascinating and eerie places to explore. Book a diving expedition to check out Sri Lanka’s answer to the Great Barrier Reef during your trip!
Best kite and windsurfing spots in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is a great place to try windsurfing or kitesurfing. The warm, tropical winds are strong enough to get up some speed, without chilling you to the bone! But where are the best places in the country to try out these watersports?
Kalpitiya
Kalpitiya is THE place in Sri Lanka for kitesurfing, where the gorgeous, flat lagoon creates the perfect setting. The mirror-smooth water, combined with a strong wind, create optimal conditions for the sport. There are lots of kitesurfing and windsurfing schools in the area where you can rent equipment or take some classes, so you’ll be out on the water in no time! Whether you’re a total beginner or an experienced kitesurfer, this is the best place to hone your skills.
Hikkaduwa
Sri Lanka’s most popular coastal town is fantastic for water sports. It may be best known as a surfing destination, but it’s also great for windsurfing and kitesurfing! The waves and tropical winds make it the perfect place to try out new watersports, and you shouldn’t have trouble finding places to hire equipment or take a few lessons.
Bentota
Bentota is one of the best places in Sri Lanka for watersports, and that includes kitesurfing and windsurfing. Head to Bentota Beach to windsurf out on the ocean or, if you’re a beginner, check out the Bentota River. The more tranquil waters here make the ideal training ground for newbie kitesurfers. Master the basics here, then head out to the ocean to try out your new skills!
Best Golf Clubs in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is the perfect location for a golfing holiday overseas. The sport is popular among both local and international players and, as a result, the country has several spectacular golf resorts.
These perfectly manicured courses all come with breathtaking scenery, impeccable service and, of course, glorious Sri Lankan sunshine.
So, where are the best golf resorts to play and stay during your time in Sri Lanka?
Royal Colombo Golf Club
Where? Colombo
Sri Lanka’s oldest golf course was first established in 1880 in the capital city of Colombo. Today, the Royal Colombo Golf Club is one of the finest in the country with an immaculate course, world-class service and exceptional food. This Club House is highly exclusive and is open to members and their families only, but the course is available to visitors daily. With 18 holes, a tranquil ambience and several water features, the course is a pleasure to play on. This verdant oasis in the middle of Sri Lanka’s bustling capital is a must-visit for golf-enthusiasts in Sri Lanka!
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Shangri-La’s Hambantota Golf Resort & Spa
Where? Ambalantota
For those who want their stay in Sri Lanka to be all about golf, the Shangri-La’s Hambantota Golf Resort & Spa is the best place to be. This luxurious hotel in the southern coastal town of Ambalantota is home to one of the most beautiful courses in the country. This facility is open daily to its guests, so golf-enthusiasts can spend their whole holiday out on the green.
Landscaped by the internationally-recognized golf architect, Rodney Wright, this 18-hole masterpiece is a breathtaking place to play. With sweeping ocean views, groves of coconut palms and perfect green lawns, the course at Shangri-La is a perfect oasis of tranquillity.
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Victoria Golf and Country Resort
Where? Kandy
The course at the Victoria Golf and Country Resort in Kandy is set in an unbeatable, countryside location. With stunning views of the surrounding mountains and a calm, peaceful atmosphere, this is a sensational place to while away a day. Golf-enthusiasts will love the beautifully maintained and expertly landscaped 18-hole course, which is open daily to guests of the resort.
Even golfing novices needn’t be left out of the fun! The Victoria resort’s golf academy offers lessons and practice facilities where even complete beginners can play. Here, every level of golfer can sharpen their skills under the expert guidance of professional tutors.
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Nuwara Eliya Golf Club
Where? Nuwara Eliya
The Nuwara Eliya Golf Club is one of the oldest in Sri Lanka and has a rich and fascinating history. First established in 1889, this 18-hole course is nestled among the tea plantations of Sri Lanka’s breathtaking Hill Country. The views from the course, which is located at an altitude of 1830 m above sea level, are unrivalled by any other in Sri Lanka. Drop if for a day to play a round of golf or book yourself a room for unlimited access to the course throughout your stay.
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