Ultimate fun on the water
Water skiing in Sri Lanka
Whether you're a beginner who just wants to get round without too many falls or a well-seasoned water-sports fan, eager to check out slalom courses and jumps in Sri Lanka, thrilling fun is guaranteed! Full training, on dry land and in the water, is available for both beginners and more experienced water-skiers who simply want to brush up on their style while on holiday in Sri Lanka.
While you're there, why not have a go at jet-skiing and wakeboarding as well, or for maximum fun try bouncing along the water in a gigantic inflatable tyre!
In search of the best waves
Surfing in Sri Lanka
Thanks to the ideal weather conditions, Sri Lanka is an excellent year-round surfing destination. The monsoon seasons are different from one coast to another season, and on both sides you’ll find a wide range of surfing locations.
Sri Lanka has been recognised by the international surfing community, with the east coast's Arugam Bay boasting an annual international surfing competition and Hikkaduwa hosting National Championship of the Japanese Pro Surfers Association in early November.
Whether you're an expert or a beginner, on the coasts of Sri Lanka you’ll find the best waves!
Scuba diving and snorkelling in Sri Lanka
Explore the beautiful treasures of the Sri Lanka’s underwater world
Often referred to as the 'pearl in the Indian Ocean', Sri Lanka offers world-class spots for scuba-diving and snorkelling. A multitude of tropical fish, magnificently colourful coral reefs and fascinating shipwrecks can be explored at several locations off the south coast of Sri Lanka. Hikkaduwa, Weligama, and Kirinda provide breathtaking snorkelling and scuba diving opportunities.
On the west coast, head to the Bar Reef that is Sri Lanka's largest reef spanning an impressive 3 nautical miles in length and 1 nautical mile in breadth. The Bar Reef is easily accessible from Kalpitiya.
In the east, Pigeon Island, north of Trincomalee and off Nilaveli, is a piece of paradise with its turquoise waters.
The colourful fish and coral offer an ultimate underwater experience.
All underwater activities are conducted by well-trained and experienced UDI and PADI instructors to ensure your absolute safety and enjoyment.
Please note that, due to the monsoon seasons, diving and snorkeling at the west coast diving is at its best from November to April whilst the east coast waters are at their calmest from May to October.
Sunk 'RMS Rangoon' detected in sea off Galle
BY CHATURANGA SAMARAWICKRAMA
DAILY MIRROR 19.01.2018
RMS Rangoon, a steam-powered Royal Mail Ship which operated during the British Colonial period had been detected sunk in the Galle Port sea seven nautical miles away at 30 metres depth, the Education Ministry said yesterday.
"The Maritime Archaeology Unit (MM.') of the Central Cultural Fund (CCF) was able to identify the remaining parts of the vessel." it said. RMS Rangoon was believed to have been sunk in 1871. Mail steamer RMS Rangoon left Galle harbour with mail for Australia on November I. 1871 and it was sunk in the seas of the south-west of Galle lighthouse. All the mail had been lost, however, the passengers and the crew members had been saved. The MAU had discovered 20 boats and sail boats, sunk recently and more than 100 years ago following explorations carried out in the sea off Dehiwala in 2017, the Ministry said in the statement. -The discoveries were made under a special programme launched on the direction of Minister of Education Akila Viraj Kariyawasam under the Central Cultural Fund," the Ministry said in a statement.
"Among the exploration and reconstruction programmes implemented under the guidance of the Director General of the Central Cultural Fund, several maritime activities have been carried out in maritime archaeology. "Many of those were experimental vessels. They are detected at a depth of more than 25 meters and are made of metal. The vessels include large cargo vessels, steam ships, small and meditun-sized steam craft and powered barges.
"Further, the research was expected to be carried out with the help of modern scientific methods and instruments used in maritime archaeology. The project expects to inspect the large ships in the Unawatuna Tourist
Zone. exploring of smaller craft around them are being carried out wider operation called 'Iron Wreck 2'. "A large number of items and equipment had been found during the explorations. They have been placed at the Maritime Archaeological Museum at the Galle Fort."
Content and image copyrights : Daily Mirror
Exploring the waterways
Go canoeing and kayaking in the most beautiful rivers and lakes of Sri Lanka!
Sri Lanka may be a small of an island, but it contains no less than 103 rivers and numerous lagoons, lakes, man-made reservoirs, and interconnected canals - all of which provide unique surroundings for canoeing and kayaking.
Kalu Ganga (‘Black River’) offers a perfect setting for long distances and several day canoeing trips. The 1 day option takes you from Ratnapura to Ellagawa, with a total distance of about 33 km and a lunch break at Kurugammodara. The 2 days 1 night option is a longer, and more strenuous trip with close to 90 km as the total distance. The trip takes you from the mountainous Ratnapura to the coastal Kalutara, with a stop for the night at Wagawatta. The 3 days 2 nights option, reserved for the experienced canoeists, goes from Ratnapura to Kalutara stopping at Kiriella and Anguruwatota. Along the way, your accommodation will be arranged at Eco Team’s fully serviced canoeing campsites in the most beautiful settings by the river.
Set among picturesque mountains, Belihuloya provides a different kind of canoeing experience in the man-made Samanalawewa Reservoir, that is home to numerous species of birds and butterflies. In Belihuloya, canoeing is combined with camping at the River Garden Resort or Kinchigune Lodge, and a nature trail through forests, paddy fields, and small villages that will give you a glimpse of Sri Lankan rural life.
We provide you with experienced guides and instructors and high-quality equipment, including life jackets and helmets. While we take all the precautions to ensure the safety of our guests, we remind you to to heed the advice of the guides/instructors at all times.
Deep seas and pristine rivers
Enjoy Sri Lanka’s best fishing excursions with our experts
Surrounded by the warm and nutrient-filled waters and filled with many rivers and lakes, Sri Lanka enjoys a wealth of angling opportunities. Inland fishing - in fresh as well as in brackish waters - and deep sea fishing are both available at different times of the year, depending on the season. Owing to the different climatic conditions in different parts of the small island, excellent fishing opportunities can be found throughout the year. And Eco Team’s professional guides are here to guide you on your next angling adventure!
Sri Lanka’s position in the Indian Ocean means that great deep sea fishing experiences can be had in almost every direction off the country’s coast. From November to April, the best deep sea sport fishing areas are the Western and Southern coasts, in April the South-Eastern coast, and from May to September, the Eastern coast opens up.
Estuaries as well as rivers and lakes with brackish water, meaning that they have a high mineral content, offer a different fishing experience. Eco Team takes you to Madu Ganga, considered the best in Sri Lanka. Fish such as Barramundi, Mangrove Jack, Bull-Eyed Mackerel can be found in these waters. In higher-salinity situations, smaller Travilly and Barracudas have been known to get caught.
All these fishing experiences are available for experts and beginners. Eco Team will provide you with high-quality equipment – life-jackets, fishing rods, tackle etc. – and ensure you the best possible fishing experience possible.
Guests are recommended to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, insect repellents, and clothing to fit the activity. Since river, lake, and especially deep sea fishing experiences include taking a boat out into bodies of water, guests are advised to wear all protective gear at all times, and follow the safety instructions. While Eco Team does everything to ensure guest safety, we request that guest take responsibility for their own safety as well as the safety of others.
