Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary is a beautiful, mellow spot with just you and a boatman punting a boat around the lagoon. The trip is best taken just after dawn but for those resistant to early rising it is also satisfying to take the trip in late afternoon. This bird sanctuary is home to many species of resident as well as migratory shorebirds. From kingfishers to flamingoes inhabit this extensive wetland area of mangrove swamps and lagoons. Kalametiya is one of Sri Lanka's oldest and main bird sanctuaries, first declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1938. It is found about half-an-hour south east of Tangalle. There are over 150 species of birds, including 54 migrants. The best time to visit is from November to April.

Situated 30 minutes inland from Tangalle, the ancient Mulgirigala temple is perched on an enormous boulder more than 200m high. According to ancient inscriptions carved on the rock Mulgirigala dates back almost 2,000 years when it was a site of a Buddhist monastery. The serene white Dagoba stands at the peak of the rock with magnificent coastal views. The temple complex consists of ancient murals, a recumbent Buddha statue, devalayas and several cave temples all of which are found at different levels while ascending the peak of the rock. This is a living temple that is visited by many devotees.

Sri Lanka is globally recognised as one of the few places in the world where you can observe marine turtles in their natural habitat. Five out of seven of the world’s marine turtle species are found in Sri Lanka and come ashore in Rekawa to lay eggs, including green, loggerhead, hawksbill, olive ridley and leatherback.The Rekawa Turtle Watch is a marine turtle conservation project which aims to protect the turtles’ nesting sites and ensure that the eggs can hatch safely. Visitors can go on ‘turtle watch’ any evening of the year, where the volunteers from the centre lead groups to the beach between 8:30pm and 11:30pm where you can watch the turtles laying eggs or returning to the sea. Waiting for turtles to appear can take a couple of hours, so patience is required. During the high season (April – July), 5-15 turtles appear each night, whereas during the low season (October – January) it is approximately 1-2. There is no guarantee that you will see a turtle, although sightings occur most nights of the year.The centre have very strict rules about not disturbing the turtles and visitors should be aware that flash photography and white/yellow torches are not allowed. If no turtles are on the beach, visitors will wait in the centre until one appears. If no turtles are seen, the cost of the ticket can be refunded, but the centre is non-funded and so donations are welcome. Booking in advance is not necessary.

Sri Lanka’s western, southern and eastern coastal belts are prime spots for scuba diving. Swim through the alluring turquoise water in the shallows and watch colourful tropical fish dart through the intricate corals, before heading out to the deeper waters of the Indian Ocean and diving in search of exotic marine creatures and looming shipwrecks. Many of the reefs are located offshore and you will need to head out to sea with a boat and a licensed guide to find the best dive spots. The monsoon weather patterns in Sri Lanka ensure that one half of the island’s coastal waters are always in season for diving, snorkelling, and swimming with good underwater visibility (which ranges from about 50 to 100 feet).Scuba diving in Sri Lanka is immensely rewarding off the north-west coast near Kalpitiya, around Hikkaduwa and Bentota and along the south coast all the way up to Yala. Scuba diving in these locations is possible during the season between December and May. There is also the opportunity to do scuba diving in Trincomalee, a coastal town in the north-east which boasts beautiful beaches of white sand and azure waves. This is possible between May and September when the east coast seas come into season.

The fragrant spice cinnamon, over which many a war has been fought, is a treasured commodity that has even been mentioned in religious books of old. Today there are a few varieties of cinnamon, but Ceylon Cinnamon or true cinnamon, is the much sought after specimen.
Sri Lanka supplies between 70 to 80 percent of the global production of authentic cinnamon and here in the southern hills you get to experience, first-hand, a process that for most part, has remained unchanged for centuries. Meet your host over a cinnamon infused drink and head uphill to the cinnamon peeling shed where peelers from the area gather to get to work. Watch the technique of peeling and you could even find out if you’ve got a hidden talent yourself! Learn about the benefit of these cigar shaped golden brown quills, how they are graded and the positive impact of the industry on the community. Savour a cup of tea in the Ambalama at the top, while enjoying gorgeous views. If you wish, you could even add on a tea tasting experience to end the experience, but note that this needs to be notified in advance.

Sri Lanka is a fantastic choice for a surfing holiday, and has been a popular surf destination since the 1970s. Boasting not only the escapist south-east beach settlement of Arugam Bay – which is listed as one of the top ten surf spots in the world – but also several other great surf points along the south coast, including Hikkaduwa and Mirissa, and in Trincomalee, surfers will be spoiled for choice. Sri Lanka’s monsoon weather patterns mean that one side of the island is always in season for water-sports, so surfing in Sri Lanka is possible all year round.

Learn to surf the waves at Weligama Bay on Sri Lanka's blissful south coast with the extra assurance of your own instructor to guide you every step of the way. Whether you are a beginner or seeking to develop your skills, you can have bags of enjoyment in a relaxed and convivial setting. There has been an increase in simple surf schools lying among the palm trees of Weligama Bay and Red Dot will ensure you don’t have to rely on guesswork to get the best attention. Weligama Bay is one of Sri Lanka's finest, so enchanting that you will imagine you can become a champion surfer in no time. Start with a board walk-through and learn about basic safety procedures while still safely on sand. Once you are ready, you will go with your dedicated instructor into the waves and discover whether you have what it takes to ride the waves. While you look for the perfect wave, developing your knowledge with the help of your instructor, don’t forget to notice your beautiful surroundings on the east side of the bay as fishermen ready their nets for the day’s catch and brightly-coloured boats glimmer in the sun. Once the lesson is over, rest your board on the sand, adopt that champion surfer pose and enjoy a languid drink under the shelter of a traditional beach hut.

Sri Lanka is now widely regarded as one of the best places in the world to see whales. The island’s shoreline lies unusually close to the continental shelf, the point when the ocean floor drops dramatically and where larger marine life is found, and so it does not take too long to reach these deep waters from Sri Lanka’s western, southern and eastern coastlines. Whale and dolphin watching is possible from Kalpitiya, Bentota and Mirissa between December and April, and from Trincomalee and Pasikudah on the east coast between June and August, but Mirissa is widely thought of as the best place for whale watching in Sri Lanka.
Set out from Mirissa Harbour in the early morning and watch as spinner dolphins spiral and soar through the air beside the boat. Look out for other marine life too, including flying fish and sea turtles, as you move further out into the ocean. The conditions of the water surrounding Sri Lanka are particularly good for sperm whales and blue whales, and there is a 90% chance of spotting one on a whale watching expedition between December and March. The whole journey will last approximately three hours. As well as public ‘join-in’ whale watching experiences, we can also arrange a private boat for you and your party which can hold a maximum of ten people. Additionally, we also offer a half-day (seven hours) whale watching experience which is a bit more luxurious: see Sri Lanka’s marine life from the comfort of a private catamaran, complete with experienced crew and a chef who will whip-up breakfast and lunch for you as you sail, and try a spot of snorkelling and stand-up paddle-boarding on your way back to shore.