Sports and leisure activities - Sri Lanka in 2024

Practical information : Move & Laze around Sri Lanka

Budget & Tips

Hiking. With its mountain range that runs through the center of the island from north to south, Sri Lanka offers beautiful hikes that are opportunities to enjoy the sumptuous scenery. The ascent of Sri Pada (Adam's Peak), the most sacred mountain, is done at night with Hindu, Muslim and Buddhist pilgrims. After 5,550 steps in the legs, the sun rising on "the tear of India" is worth all the rewards. Ella is another great hiking destination. Ella Rock and Little Adam's Peak are among the most popular hikes in the area. Waterfalls and nature are the order of the day. And for those who prefer to walk at a more leisurely pace, walking along the railroad line that winds through the tea plantations offers an exotic and beautiful walk. Hiking in Sri Lanka requires a good physical condition, but no special skills. The highest peaks rise to a little over 2,000 meters. You just need to bring some appropriate clothing, including a good fleece for the ascent of Sri Pada

What's very local

Golf. Many Sri Lankans enjoy golf, a legacy of the long British presence on the island. In Nuwara Eliya, the 18-hole course, located at 1,890 meters above sea level, is ideal in dry periods. However, it gets quite soggy during the rainy season. Another golf course awaits you in Colombo. It is the oldest course on the island and offers the opportunity, among others, to see its fairway crossed by the train! In Kandy, finally, probably the most beautiful course with beautiful landscapes. It is the most recent, since it opened in 1999, and the longest too: 6,290 m when the others do not exceed 5,800 m of course

Diving and snorkeling . Diving is practiced in various places, notably in Hikkaduwa on the west coast and in Nilaveli on the east coast. You will find many PADI or SSI certified clubs in these villages, as well as in the surrounding villages. Beginners can get an open water certificate and the more experienced can go down to explore the shipwrecks or the underwater beauties of Pigeon Island National Park. Nilaveli is also a good place to enjoy snorkeling

Extreme sports. Rafting and canyoning are practiced on the Kelani Ganga River. The strength of the current varies a lot if you practice the river before or after the monsoon

Your documents please

A diving certificate is required to engage in this activity. Most of the diving centers are PADI certified in Thailand, some are also SSI certified. All the centers give the necessary courses to obtain the various certificates which validate your level.

To be booked

A reservation the day before is sufficient for the vast majority of sports activities.

Main events

Two Mile Sea Swim (March). This sporting competition, organized today by The Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union and the Mount Lavinia Hotel has been in existence since 1937. More than 700 participants aged between 12 and 70 years old meet for a 2 mile (3,218 m) swim in the ocean.

Tourist traps

Always choose a recognized and certified diving school to avoid any problems.

Sports and leisure activities Sri Lanka

DIVINGURU NILAVELI

BATTI LAGOON PARK

VICTORIA - GOLF & COUNTRY RESORT

NUWARA ELIYA GOLF CLUB

RAFTER'S RETREAT - WHITE WATER RAFTING

ISLAND SCUBA

ROYAL COLOMBO GOLF CLUB

DIVINGURU UNAWATUNA

INTERNATIONAL DIVING CENTER

SAIL LANKA CHARTER

POSEIDON DIVING SCHOOL

SAIL LANKA CHARTER

ISLAND SCUBA

KITULGALA ADVENTURES

SUNRISE BALLOONING

POSEIDON DIVING STATION

SRI LANKA TENNIS ASSOCIATION

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