Sri Lanka is world-famous as an incredible holiday getaway that offers everything travelers are looking for. Blessed with many wonderful attractions, it is a fantastic outdoor activity destination to experience lots of wonderful adventures. With diverse landscapes spread across different regions, there are various adventure activities suitable for everyone. There are many visitors who like to enjoy adventures in Sri Lanka while exploring all the corners of the country.
If you are an adventure seeker looking for the most adventurous activities in Sri Lanka, we can give you a helping hand. Here we have made a summary of the best 15 marvelous adventures for a wonderful holiday on this paradise island. This list is quite adventurous and involves lots of action. Hope everybody will enjoy these thrilling adventures and have an adrenaline-filled holiday experience in Sri Lanka.!
1. Surfing
Sitting in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern tip of India, golden beaches with mighty waves are the top adventures in Sri Lanka. It is one of the surfing hot spots in the world, with several world-famous surfing destinations. Sunshine is glistening on the clear blue warm waters, inviting you to ride in the great waves of the Indian Ocean.
The best place to catch the waves in Sri Lanka is Arugam Bay on the eastern coast. It is the renowned surfing hot spot and the surfing capital of the country. It is an international surf competition venue and one of the top ten surf destinations in the world.
It is the best place to unveil your adventurous surfing skills. Between May to November is recommended for surfing visits in Arugam Bay, with the best weather conditions to get the most out of this thrilling sport.
Kitesurfing
Kalpitiya lagoon is widely famous for adventure lovers who want to try kite surfing. The breeze is coming across the peninsular towards the land and you can enjoy a trouble-free ride without a hassle. Tucked away on Sri Lanka’s northwest coast, the remote Kalpitiya beach is one of the island’s relatively undiscovered gems for surfing lovers.
The southern coastal area also provides the best surfing spots including Hiriketiya, Mirissa, and Hikkaduwa. Ride along the waves and laze around soft sandy beaches enjoying your adventurous beach holiday.
2. Camping
Camping is one of the highly famous adventures in Sri Lanka among both local and foreign travelers. It includes both classical clamping and more luxurious glamping with great facilities. There are plenty of camping spots around the island, such as national parks where visitors can go and stay overnight to immerse themselves in the amazing wildlife.
Among them, the most scenic camping sites are located at Meemure in the Knuckles Mountain Range. Based near Matale and Kandy districts, Meemure is famous for its calm and serene scenic expedition that provides a peaceful environment in every way possible. It is considered as the best place where one can truly seek peace of mind, far away from crowded and busy touristic destinations.
Meemure area is quite varied in terms of climate and ecosystem, from lowland valleys to highland rainforests. Camping there gives you the chance to get close to the exceptional beauty of nature. You can meet up close with the welcoming villagers and get to know more about their lifestyle.
Meemure area is a great site for hiking and trekking, and waterfall hunting. It is adorned by spectacular hidden waterfalls which make the place all the more popular. It will be a blessed moment to hear the melodious chirping of birds all around when you wake up at the rainforest camping site. Camping in Meemure is a blend of both adventure and leisure at the same time, giving you a remarkably adventurous experience in Sri Lanka.
3. Water Rafting
Water rafting at Kitulgala is one of the ideal adventures in Sri Lanka for thrill-seekers. What could be more thrilling than enjoying the mighty power of river water current and going along with its flow? The small town of Kitulgala is the best gateway where adrenaline junkies can ride the waves of powerful water river currents. White water rafting in Kitulgala is great for both beginners and experienced rafters alike.
It is the best place for several adventurous and leisure activities, such as zip-lining, jungle walks, adventurous stream jumps, mountain biking, and river cruises. Waterfall abseiling is one of the most famous adventure sports among visitors. It provides a closer view of the incredible scenic panorama of the waterfalls along with the lavish greenery spread across. Be close to nature in Kitulgala and try out all the adventure activities, while enjoying the amazing sceneries on the island.
4. Palm Tree Rope Swinging
Palm tree swinging is a widely famous attraction in southern coastal areas. It is one of the fun-filled adventures in Sri Lanka enjoyed by both kids and adults. Among them, the palm tree rope swing at Dalawella is the perfect one for adventure seekers. It is widely famous as one of the epic photogenic spots to capture some Insta-worthy shots.
This swing is more tricky to master than the other swings available in Sri Lanka. It has a single-foot loop on the bottom and requires either climbing up a palm tree and launching you off or getting a good push to get going. Once you start swinging, you’ll quickly fly toward the Indian Ocean with great energy.
This is a highly famous place in Sri Lanka among backpackers. Swinging the Palm tree rope during sunset allows you to capture a truly memorable Insta-worthy shot. Palm tree rope swinging with the glorious background of the ocean bathed in golden sunlight will be an eternal memory in your life.
5. Hot Air Ballooning
Do you like to enjoy a bird’s eye view of the paradise island from above the sky? A hot air balloon ride over the countryside of Sri Lanka is an incredible experience you shouldn’t miss in the country. This is one of the most enjoyable adventures in Sri Lanka to explore this beautiful island.
This service is available in Dambulla, Kandalama, Sigiriya, and Habarana areas from November to April. The balloon will be drifting silently over the blue sky, showing the unexplored, spectacular sceneries of Sri Lanka. You can observe Sri Lanka’s dramatic landscapes, world heritage sites, jungles, lakes, rivers, and wildlife reserves. The floating height is around 500 to 2000 feet on average and you may see many wild animals including elephants roaming freely near the lakes.
The effortless drifting of the hot air balloon over great cultural monuments is a marvelous experience. The magical sight of seeing the giant Sigiriya rock fortress up close will give you an unforgettable and remarkable memory of your journey. Although this ride will last only for several hours, it will remain a blissful, eternal experience for your whole life.
6. Ambuluwawa Tower
Ambuluwawa Tower is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful observation points in Sri Lanka, located in Gampola near Kandy. It is one of the most sought-after adventures in Sri Lanka recently. It consists of a 48m high, large winding tower resembling a stylized Buddhist Stupa. This tower is perched on top of a hill about 1000 m above sea level. There is a narrow spiral staircase that winds its way to the top, and the climb rewards you with the best 360° views of the surroundings.
Climbing on the outer spiral staircase is scary because it just gets narrower, and the higher you get the more nerve-wracking the experience. When high winds are blowing, it can freak out climbers. Hiking Ambuluwawa isn’t dangerous or risky, but those who have a fear of heights just need to be careful. It is a totally adventurous, marvelous experience and one of the must-visit destinations during your visit to Sri Lanka.
7. Zip Lining
Zip lining is one of the most famous, marvelous adventures in Sri Lanka. One of the major zip lines in the country is located in the major touristic city, Ella. The flying Ravana zip lining in Ella is the longest zip line in Sri Lanka. It’s about 550 m long and situated 80m above ground level. This is located amidst the luscious green tea estates of Ella.
The two-wire zip line slides at 80 kmph and offers a bird’s-eye view of the beautiful hills and valleys in the Ella area. This is the best opportunity for adventure enthusiasts who prefer an enthralling outdoor experience. Ziplining is available at some other places in Sri Lanka, including Kitulgala and Nuwara Eliya.
8. Trekking
With roads winding through expanding mountains, lush green tea estates, and small villages, the central highlands in Sri Lanka offer plenty of opportunities for leisurely trekking. Nuwara Eliya or “Little England”, in the central highlands of Sri Lanka is the best trekking destination in the country.
Trekking in the hill country is one of the most popular adventures in Sri Lanka. Since hill country is located at an elevation of 2000 m above sea level, the marvelous landscape, and the pleasant climate attract both local and foreign travelers to enjoy sightseeing.
Horton Plains
There are plenty of trekking routes in the hill country, which provide great views of the countryside with splendid scenery. One of the most marvelous adventures in the hill country is trekking the World’s End on the Horton Plains. This is the only national park in Sri Lanka, where you are allowed to walk freely around, instead of being inside a safari jeep.
It takes nearly 3 hours to complete the 8 km-long main circular route. World’s End, Little World’s End, and Bakers Falls are the famous places on this circular trail. You’ll see the wonderful sight of grazing Sambar Deer inside the park. Incredible sceneries coupled with mild temperatures provide the ideal setting for an unforgettable trekking experience in Horton Plains.
Sinharaja Rain Forest
One of the other Sri Lanka’s best trekking spots in Sri Lanka is the Sinharaja Forest Reserve. It is considered an eco-tourism hot spot for nature lovers, who want to explore stunning plant, bird, and animal life. Sinharaja rainforest is a world heritage site and a biodiversity hotspot in Sri Lanka. It is home to many endemic bird species, as well as insects, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals.
The access to explore the Sinharaja forest is only by foot, accompanied by a ranger or travel guide. This is a truly authentic adventure you can experience in a tropical rainforest. If you love to explore the alluring wilderness of Sri Lanka, the Sinharaja rain forest provides a marvelous adventure trekking opportunity.
9. Hiking
One of the great hiking places for adventure lovers in Sri Lanka is the sacred mountain of Adam’s Peak. The height of Adam’s Peak is around 2,200 m and it is the most popular hiking trail in Sri Lanka. It is an important pilgrimage site for religious devotees in Sri Lanka. The hike toward the summit of Adam’s Peak may take between 4-7 hours depending on the physical fitness of the individual.
The hike is usually done in the nighttime; the goal is to reach the summit in the morning to enjoy the great spectacle of sunrise. Although the hiking route is fairly hard, you will be rewarded with the mesmerizing view of sunrise from the summit, probably the best in the world.
There are many other adventurous hiking trails in the Ella area, including Ella Rock and Little Adam’s Peak, which you shouldn’t miss during your Sri Lanka trip.
10. Wild Safari
You can have an adventurous experience of witnessing the amazing wildlife of the country with a jungle safari in one of the great National Parks such as Yala, Wilpattu, Minneriya, or Udawalawe. The most visited national park in the country is Yala which is located in the South-east part of Sri Lanka. Yala has the highest density of leopards in the world. There you can witness the untamed world of gorgeous leopards.
Sri Lanka is one of the best places in Asia for watching elephants. In Udawalawa National Park, you will be surrounded by herds of elephants. Minneriya and Kaudulla are world-famous for the annual elephant migration called “The Gathering”. This great elephant gathering is one of the top wildlife spectacles in the world.
It is possible to enjoy the wildlife by camping inside the national parks to observe them much closer. These amazing jungle experiences will bring you much closer to the incredible wildlife and beautiful nature of Sri Lanka. Discovering the beauty of wildlife in Sri Lanka will be a marvelous adventure experience you will never forget in your whole life.
11. Boat Safari
On the eastern shore of the island right next to Yala, the Gal Oya National Park is located. The biggest attraction in Gal Oya is the Senanayake Samudraya Lake. Sri Lanka’s only opportunity to enjoy a boat ride inside a national park to see the wildlife is the boat safari in Gal Oya. An important feature of the Gal Oya National Park is its large elephant herd that can be seen throughout the year. As well, the small island that sits in the middle of the lake is the best place to see the migratory birds including herons, cormorants, and many other species.
Visitors can take boat safaris on the lake to see these amazing wildlife sceneries. You’ll be able to see the elephants roaming freely along lake banks. Elephants are avid swimmers and the rare scenery of swimming elephants can be enjoyed during the Gal Oya boat safari. This is the best place for those who love to enjoy the wilderness in a tranquil environment without any disturbances.
Camping is also possible in Gal Oya with a boutique lodge or using your own equipment along the lake. Camping in the middle of the wilderness will be quite an amazing, marvelous adventure opportunity to experience the untouched wildlife in Sri Lanka.
12. Jeep Trails
Devils Staircase in Ohiya is one of the most popular and adventurous jeep trails in Sri Lanka. The extreme difficulty of this trail has made this an unbeatable hikers paradise. It needs 4×4 off-road jeeps to ride through the Devil’s Staircase. Starting from Kalupahana, this trail goes uphill, and starting from Ohiya, it goes downhill. The 23 km long trail of sharp zigzag twists is extremely steep and harsh, but quite thrilling to drive.
Since the road is challenging, you need a good ground clearance vehicle to ride through the trail. It needs to be careful with sharp stones that can damage tires. Since there are no markers along the route, it is advised to use a guide. If you are attempting the journey for the first time, you need to be extra cautious while driving. Certainly, this is a completely worthy trail to try in the country. Besides, it will allow you to capture the scenery of the ultimate beauty of the central highlands in Sri Lanka.
13. Snorkeling & Scuba Diving
Snorkeling & scuba diving are the most famous adventurous water activities to enjoy in the coastal areas of Sri Lanka. You can go snorkelling or scuba diving on the stunning beaches of Bentota, Unawatuna, Mirissa, Dickwella, and Polhena. Remember to visit Sri Lanka’s first-ever underwater museum in Galle, during your trip to the southern coast.
The rainbow-colored, splendid coral reefs in Hikkaduwa are one of the major attractions in the country for scuba diving. Pigeon Island on the eastern coast is another famous spot for snorkeling and diving. You’ll be surrounded by colorful reef fishes, turtles, and rays giving you the best underwater experiences in the world.
14. Speed Boat Riding
Speed boat riding in the delightful emerald water of Sri Lankan waters is one of the best thrilling activities for adventure lovers. Riding a speed boat is a fantastic experience that you can’t miss in southern coastal areas.
Less than 1-hour drive from Colombo, the charming beach of Bentota is the best place for speed boat riding. Bentota Beach is a tourist hotspot and the major water sports hub in Sri Lanka. There is 8 km long stretch of golden sand bordering deep blue waters to enjoy a number of adrenaline-filled adventures, including speed boat and jet-ski riding, windsurfing, water skiing, and kite surfing.
Visiting Bentota beach will give you the opportunity to experience the enthralling bliss of many water sports activities and it will give you a golden memory of your adventurous vacation on this beautiful island.
15. Waterfall Abseiling
Waterfall abseiling is a rather new sport and a great opportunity for thrill-seeking adventurers. Particularly, abseiling Sri Lanka’s highest waterfall Bambaraknada is an extreme challenge for adventurists. The 263 m tall Bambarakanda Falls is a completely worthy, marvelous place for abseiling.
Climbing on the towering rock face of the Bambarakanda waterfall is a real challenge. Here you can watch the falls come crashing down, while you are climbing higher. Although it is a really hard adventure, it will be a truly memorable experience to complete this tough journey.
There are a number of other waterfalls around the central highlands of Sri Lanka that are famous as abseiling spots. They provide challenging climbs to both beginners and experienced climbers. Conquer the head-spinning heights in Sri Lanka to get the thrilling experience of waterfall abseiling.
To sum up, here we have given a picture of the top 15 marvelous adventure activities you can enjoy during your Sri Lankan tour. Explore all the wildest corners of Sri Lanka and complete your thrill-seeking journey to satisfy your adrenaline addiction. Be sure to take all necessary safety precautions while enjoying these incredible adventures. Wish you all a glorious, adventurous holiday in Sri Lanka.!
Text by Magnificent Sri Lanka. Images from Wikimedia Commons, Pixels, and Pixabay. All copyrights reserved by original authors.