Sri Lanka Beaches – A Journey to the Seaside

We start our day with a visit to the elephant transit home where elephants are rehabilitated for release into the wild. Leaving the savannah-like plains of Udawalawe, we head south towards some of Sri Lanka’s best beaches. We remember those who lost their lives in the 2004 tsunami as we pass colonial towns along the coast. Each town is home to ancient fishing villages, Buddhist temples and shrines. We watch fishermen use various methods to catch fish from the shoreline and visit the only blowhole in Sri Lanka to observe the power of the sea. In the evening, we arrive in the fort city of Galle where we watch the sun set over Sri Lanka beaches.

Essential Tour Day Facts and Figures

Touring Route

We start our day with a visit to the elephant transit home on the edge of Udawalawe Dam. Unlike other orphanages in Sri Lanka, this transit home rehabilitates injured and orphaned elephants for release back to the wild. Staff keep human contact to a minimum to give the elephants the best chance of survival once released. The morning feeding session however is a great experience as elephants of all sizes rush in for breakfast. After a feed the smaller elephants often play in the pond before they return to their open plain reserve. Our transit home is a great place to see a success story for conservation of these beautiful animals.

Elephant Transit Home Sri Lanka BeachesWe depart the savannah like plains of Udawalawe and head south towards some of Sri Lanka’s best beaches. Along the journey south we pass farmlands which get progressively flatter as we approach the coastline. The highlands of Horton Plains in our rear vision shrink as the we pass farmlands and roadside market stalls on our drive to Sri Lanka beaches.

The southern coastline provides much more than simple Sri Lanka beaches and resorts. The small colonial towns spotted along the coast are home to ancient fishing villages, buddhist temples and shrines. The southern tips of Sri Lanka were maritime hotspots during the Dutch, Portuguese and British maritime eras. Seaman from around the globe would enter ports along the coast and wait for the winds the change as they navigated the globe. The sea trade brought goods from around the world and each village has unique aspects from the traders of the past.

Sri Lanka Beach CoveSadly, much of the coastline we pass today was devastated by the 2004 tsunami that wiped out entire villages.  We remember the over 30,000 Sri Lankan’s who lost their lives as we try and comprehend the scale of the disaster. The local community strength has allowed them to rebuild and continue their traditional fishing activities along this beautiful stretch of coastline.

We stop to observe fisherman using various methods to capture the fish from the shore line. Large groups of young men swim into the sea to pull large nets filled with local fish onto the beach. Other men perch on single poles dangling their lines into the sea waiting for the perfect catch. The tradition of stilt fisherman catching fish has shifted to catching tourists for photos, so we are able to observe these old and new ways of making a living on a Sri Lanka beach.

We stop to observe fisherman using various methods to capture the fish from the shore line. Large groups of young men swim into the sea to pull large nets filled with local fish onto the beach. Other men perch on single poles dangling their lines into the sea waiting for the perfect catch. The tradition of stilt fisherman catching fish has shifted to catching tourists for photos, so we are able to observe these old and new ways of making a living on a Sri Lanka beach.

Hummanaya Blow Hole Sri Lanka BeachesWe take a small hike to a rocky outcrop to witness the power of the Indian Ocean as it crashes against the Sri Lanka beaches. At Hummanaya blow hole we watch the ocean spray water up to 30m into the air as it roars through the narrow passage in the rock. This is the only blow hole in Sri Lanka and thought to be one of the largest known in the world. A smell of fish fills the air as a nearby cove is home to the local fishing fleet who prepare for evening voyages in search of fresh fish.

After a day of visiting numerous Sri Lanka beaches, we arrive at the fort city of Galle for the evening. Our hotel overlooks the ocean providing a great spot to take an evening cocktail and feel the cool ocean breeze across our face. As you sip a cocktail or enjoy a dinner we can watch the sun slowly set on another beautiful day in Sri Lanka.

Daily Tour Inclusions at Sri Lanka Beaches

Departure dates to tour Sri Lanka Beaches