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Surfing – Entertainment
ON THE EAST COAST
Wreck Diving
If you are a keen diver, there are various opportunities for wreck diving in the bay with five pre-850 ships within 5km of each other.
Walk to Crocodile Rock
Crocodile Rock is 2km south of Arugam Point along a deserted beach towards Kudakallliya. You can reach the rock by climbing across the dunes and fording the lagoon. Here you will see eagles swoop overhead, elephants attempting to climb the rock and large mugger crocodile. At the top, you will be rewarded by magnificent views inland across the paddy fields and lagoon.
Walk to Elephant Rock
Elephant Rock lies about 3 km south of Arugam Bay. The walk gives you the opportunity to take in the expanse of beautiful beaches Arugam Bay has to offer. In the early morning or evening you will see wild elephants roaming the area.
The Pottuvil Lagoon Eco Tour
The lagoon eco tour is a two-hour boat ride into the mangrove swamps. Local fishermen takes take you in fiberglass canoes through the mangroves, stopping off at the sandbar in the ocean and then at a mangrove nursery. The lagoon is home to a wide variety of wildlife including crocodiles, monkeys, water snakes and birds. The lagoon tour was set up as part of a mangrove conservation project by the local Hidayapuram Fisheries Cooperative Society and the Sri Lankan NGO Sewa Lanka Foundation.
Visit Magul Maha Vihara , Lahugla (Yala East)
8km west of Pottuvil is the beautiful Buddhist temple of Magul Maha Vihara built by King Dhatusena (515-526 AD). This interesting and evocative site, with the remains of a dagoba, vatadage and the bases of several other ruined structures is made all the more interesting by its remote jungle location.
Visit Lahugala – Kitulana National Park
About 16km inland from Potuvil, to the west is small Lahugala – Kitulana National Park (15 sq km). Lying between larger wildlife reserves of Gal Oya National Park to the north and Ruhuna Yala National Park to the south, the park is part of the protected ‘Elephant Corridor’ for the elephant population to move freely across the south-eastern part of the island. In July and August when surrounding areas are dried out, large herds of elephants start to move in. The best time to watch them is in the late afternoon.
Visit Panama
The paved road end at Panama, the last inhabited village before Yala East National Park. The lagoon and area around the attractive lagoon is home to turtles and crocodiles. A track leads to the sand dunes approaching Panama’s seemingly endless beach, with its pink rocks shimmering in the distance.
Visit Kudumigala Forest Hermitage
2 km inland from Okanda, around Helawa lagoon, lies the extensive forest hermitage of Kudumbigala, (4700 hectares) established in the 1st century BC by Buddhist monks. 225 known caves are believed to have been occupied by Buddhist monks as long ago as the first century BC
Visit Hulannuga: Tharulengala Aranya Senasanaya Buddhist Forest Hermitage
Tharulengala Aranya Senasanaya forest hermitage consists of amazing natural cave formations including the largest cave in Sri Lanka. This cave is 512ft long, 30ft broad and 82ft high at the highest point with the interior in eight levels and has a drip ledge cut right along. The shrine room cave situated near the entrance is 175ft long, 31ft broad and 35ft high and houses a 41foot reclining Buddha statue that over the years has suffered considerably damaged from treasure hunters. In addition to the caves found on this hill, there are numerous ruins.
Visit Yala East National Park
Yala East National Park is the twin of Yala West (Yala Ruhuna National Park). However, it is not possible to travel directly from one park to the other as the two parks are separated by the River Kumbukkan Oya. Yala East is entered at Okanda, about 30km down the coast track south of Arugam Bay via the small town of Panama. The fauna is similar to that of Yala West: elephants and leopards. The park supports an elephant population, though herds are smaller than its rich neighbors, Gal Oya National Park to the north and Ruhuna Yala National Park to the south.
Visit Kumana Bird Sanctuary
The focus of Yala East National park is the Kumana Bird Sanctuary, fed by a channel from the River Kumbukkan Oya. Some 20 km into the park from the entrance is, Kumana Wewa tank. Its surrounding mangroves are home to a large variety of aquatic birds, particularly south of Kumana mangrove swamp (200 hectares), where many nest in May and June. Common birds include pelicans, painted storks, herons, egrets, Indian darters and little cormorants. One of Sri Lanka’s most rare birds, the black-necked stork, may also be seen.
The best time to catch a glimpse of the wildlife of Sri Lanka is before dawn or at sunset. Amongst the most frequent visitors to the lagoon are elephants, wild boar, deer and crocodiles. Birdwatchers will be over-awed by the flocks of birds that migrate to the Arugam Bay area in the months of November and December.
ON THE SOUTH COAST
Canoeing
Canoeing on the Bentota River is great fun as you can paddle up and down the tributaries. The scenery along the bank of the river is spectacular as you will pass tropical forests filled with plants and flowers. The exotic flora is only second to the wonderful variety of birds and reptiles you will see. The Bentota River is dotted with islands and swampy marshlands through which you have to navigate very carefully in order to not disturbing the marsh dwelling reptiles like water monitors and crocodiles. Sometimes if you are lucky you will see elephants, deer, wild board stopping or wild buffalo that have stopped for a drink.
Wakeboarding
Wakeboarding is truly one of the most fun watersports and its great for all age groups. With a little practice, you can do some incredible stunts and impress all your friends and the Bentota River provides the ideal location for wakeboarding. Great water surface and warm waters will allow you to wakeboard all day long, all year round.
INLAND
Kayaking and White Water Rafting
If you want to venture out into the Sri Lankan countryside, try kayaking or white water rafting which is definitely an adventure. Kithulgala is one of Sri Lanka’s best locations for white water rafting on the Kelani River. Originating high up in the mountains in the Adam’s Peak area, the river hosts rapids between grades 2 and 3, with the rafting stretch being approximately 6.5 kilometers, and taking between 1 to 2 hours to complete. With up to seven rapids to tackle, rafters are guaranteed a challenge, but are also offered a chance to relax, with small calm stretches allowing a refreshing swim in the river to unwind.
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