Water sports in Bentota

Surrounded by the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is an island nation with many tourist destinations inland. With rivers and lakes irrigating the fertile soil of the country, the country is known the world over as a water sports destination. Bentota, a town in the Southern Province, is loved by tourists visiting Sri Lanka. If you are planning to visit Bentota, here are some of the water sports you can enjoy.

Jet skiing

One of the most thrilling activities that there is, jet skiing is a popular water sport with tourists vising Bentota. Heading out into the ocean on a jet ski at unbelievable speeds and besting all the waves cannot be compared to anything else! If this is your first time trying to jet ski, get your hotel or a tour operator to find an instructor for you.

Diving

Diving is another activity you can enjoy during your time in Bentota. The best time to dive here is from November to May; this is when the visibility is at its best. Divers encounter a range of marine creatures on their excursions. Tourists can also find several diving schools all over the town.

Windsurfing

Visit Bentota from November to April for an unforgettable windsurfing experience. There are numerous academies where tourists can learn windsurfing. Those staying at 5-star hotels in Bentota can get their hotels to arrange lessons for them.

Snorkelling

Snorkeling
Snorkeling | Image by PublicDomainPictures via Pixabay

You can find snorkelling sites minutes from Cinnamon Bentota Beach. This is one of the best ways to admire the beauty of Sri Lanka’s marine life. Don’t worry if you are new to snorkelling, a professional guide can help you get the trick of it.

 

Bentota, A Heaven for Water Sport Enthusiasts

Bentota is one of the most mesmerising beaches in Sri Lanka for various reasons: As a holiday paradise for travellers, Bentota offers a spectacular beach with amazing palm trees and crystal-clear water for an array of water sports activities like wakeboarding, jet-skiing, snorkelling, surfing, banana boating, and many more. Apart from being the ideal location for a peaceful getaway, this coastal town is home to sacred Buddhist temples, a turtle hatchery, beautiful landscapes, and many more.

Jet Skiing

Jet Skiing
Jet Skiing – Image by dimitrisvetsikas1969 via Pixabay

This is one of the most popular water-based activities in Bentota. Many visitors who travel to Bentota usually hire a jet ski and glide through waves. Jet Skiing is an exciting activity you can experience at properties like Cinnamon Bentota Beach, one of the luxury 5-star hotels in Bentota.

Windsurfing

Bentota is the perfect paradise for windsurfers to have a fantastic time with the ideal atmosphere to cruise through crystal clear waters next to a pristine sandy beach. You can either hire or bring your equipment such as the board, sail, and rig, and even take advantage of the windsurfing classes Bentota offers!

Banana Boating

This is ideal for families and friends who want to share a thrilling adventure in Bentota. As a super fun and easy activity, Banana Boating guarantees an exhilarating time as you sit astride the inflatable Banana-shaped boat that gets pulled along the water by a speed boat. Get ready to bounce along crashing waves!

Wakeboarding

If you are an adrenaline junkie, wakeboarding in Bentota is perfect for you. Prepare to ride a wakeboard towed behind a motorboat at the speed of 30-40 km/h and witness the marvellous Bentota sea while gliding above the water.

 

 

Try these exciting water sports in Maldives

Home to pristine beaches, the Maldives is the ideal location for water sports enthusiasts too. Here are some of these activities you can try out.

Snorkelling

Snorkelling is a fan favourite and easy to enjoy at resorts like Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives where you can explore the beauty of the Maldivian sea. From a wide variety of fish to colourful corals, snorkelling enables you to have a rewarding underwater escapade and the best thing is, no prior experience is needed.

Surfing

 

Surfing
Surfing – Image by Pexels via Pixabay

If you are based at a surf resort in Maldives, you can also look forward to thrilling rides on the waves. Ideally, stay at a property in the North Male Atoll that offers access to key surfing hotspots like Pasta Point and other world-class waves, where from March to October, you can experience the best conditions.

Wakeboarding

Want to glide on water? If yes, wakeboarding is just for you. Step onto your wakeboard, hold onto a line attached to a specially designed boat and ride the waves in style with plenty of speed too! If you are into extreme water sports, consider wakeboarding to have an exhilarating time.

Kayaking

This is a fantastic way to enjoy the tranquillity of the surrounding ocean. Kayaking allows you to view the coastline from a different perspective — all you need are a kayak and a double-bladed oar. Considered a top water sports activity in the Maldives, kayaking is not only peaceful but also provides a good cardio workout.

Jet-Skiing

If you want to take part in an electrifying adventure, consider jet-skiing. Get on a powerful jet-propelled watercraft and glide across the sea at high speed! Ideal for adrenaline junkies, jet-skiing is considered an energetic activity to engage in – alone or with a partner.

Banana Boating

Banana boating is a fun activity you can take part in with a group of friends or your family. For people who seek excitement and entertainment, this is a must-do activity in the Maldives. As the name suggests, the banana-shaped and often yellow-coloured boat / water sled can accommodate up to 10 people and is speedily pulled by a speedboat through the foamy blue waters.

 

 

The Best Adrenaline-Rush Activities in Maldives

The Maldives may be known for its laidback charm, but don’t forget it has lots of action-packed activities too! Here’s a look at some of its best.

Image credit- Unsplash,Yuriy Vinnicov,CC0

Night Diving & Snorkelling

These two activities are captivating during the day, but at night, provide a whole new level of adventure! Available at private resorts like Huvafen Fushi Maldives that have PADI-certified diving courses, night diving and snorkelling let you encounter nocturnal creatures of the deep and bioluminescence via yellow mask filters and UV lights.

Jet-Skiing

If speed is what will fill your desire for an adrenaline rush, then jet-skiing is not to be missed; think of the vast Indian Ocean as your water-filled playground in the Maldives! Island resorts provide jet-skiing excursions which are ideal to explore the area around where you stay or even to head further afield into the horizon.

Seabob Adventures

A relatively new entrant into the field of water sports in Maldives, the Seabob is a high-powered underwater scooter that propels you on an amazing ride. It can reach speeds of around 20 km/h and you just need to hold on tight and manoeuvre it in and out of the water; if you ever wanted a “dolphin experience”, this will provide it!

Parasailing

If you’re not afraid of heights or want to conquer your fear of it, in an exhilarating way, then parasailing is perfect. You will be securely attached to a parasail which will be lifted to heights of around 150 metres when the speedboat reaches optimal velocity; couples seeking to take their love to new heights can opt for tandem parasailing at sunset!

5 Informative Facts That You Must Know About the Maldives

The Maldives is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world, particularly among honeymooners. The island nation boasts a rich history, delicious cuisine, and a range of exciting activities.

The Maldives Is Located Close to the Equator

The Maldives is located quite close to the equator. And this means that sun rays will shine almost directly on you while you’re relaxing at your Maldives resort. So, make sure to bring plenty of sunscreen to protect your skin!

The Maldives Was Initially a Buddhist Nation

The Maldives was only converted to Islam in 1153 A.D. and today it stands as a proud Muslim nation. So, make sure that you leave any other religious texts, pork products, and alcoholic beverages at home when you’re about to head towards Kurumba Maldives or any other resort in the country for a splendid tropical vacation.

The Maldives Boasts Over 1000 Islands

maldives islands
maldives islands | Image via Pixabay

The Maldives is formed out of 1,192 coral islands that are grouped in 26 atolls. These are peppered over the Indian Ocean over an area of roughly 90,000 square kilometres.

The Maldives’ Sand Is Smooth as Can Be

Usually, the beaches are made of sands that are made from quartz. However, the Maldives’ beaches contain sands that are extremely fine as they are coralline in origin. Coralline beaches are quite rare and represent less than five percent of the world’s beaches.

Water Skiing in Bentota

Those who now come to Bentota to enjoy their beach vacations have the perfect chance to engage in an exciting water sport. That’s none other than ‘water skiing’!

What’s water skiing?

Jet skiing is something you already know about. Water skiing also is played on the surface of the water where the rider is pulled behind a boat.

The experience

It’s an exciting experience. Riders get to skim the surface using one or two skis. Two skis are generally used by beginners, but the experts can manage with just one ski.

Instructing and supervising

Once you understand how the game works, water skiing will not be a big deal at all. But, if this is your first time, you’ll need some support from the experts. Let them teach the basics to you and then develop your confidence.

Other water sports

surfing
surfing | Image via Unsplash

Bentota also offers perfect opportunities for jet skiing, surfing, and fun tubing. Those who want to swim all day can do it without any barriers too.

Holidaying in Bentota

Choose to spend your family holiday or that with your friends at one of the 5-star hotels in Bentota. There are many great options available for you including Cinnamon Bentota Beach.

The Ultimate Guide to Safe Snorkeling in the Maldives

Many water sports that you can try out while holidaying at one of the Maldives luxury resorts are quite safe. However, snorkelling (the one that seems so easy) is the sport that poses some minor threats for you.

 

Snorkel with an Expert

Shallow depths can often lull you into a false sense of safety. If you haven’t been snorkelling much, it would be best if you can tag along with a snorkelling expert. Calm waters may hide strong currents and these guides will help you avoid them.

Avoid Touching Marine Life

Well, you would certainly be mesmerised by the sheer beauty of the life beneath the waves while snorkelling during a holiday spent at a property such as Residence Maldives Falhumaafushi. But, make sure that you avoid touching these creatures as you never know what kinds of threats they may pose.

Coral
Coral | Image via Unspalsh

Use Well-Fitting Equipment

Make sure your snorkelling mask fits well. If it leaks or is too tight you wouldn’t be able to enjoy your snorkelling adventure.

Avoid Coral/ Rock Cuts

It is often advised that you shouldn’t step on corals as it would damage them and would be damaging to you in return. Make sure that you wear reef shoes and a thick wet suit in case you accidentally happen to step on or brush past them.

Snorkeling in The Maldives

The Maldives is one of the best destinations in the whole world if perfect snorkelling is what you are longing for! While you snorkel, it’s not just the coral reefs that you get to explore, but many more aquatic animals such as manta rays!

snorkelling
Photo by form PxHere

Best time for your snorkelling experience

If the visibility of the water is great, that’s what you need for an awesome snorkelling session. From January to April, you can expect sunny weather conditions and no / less rain means clearer waters.

Why the Maldives is the best for snorkelling?

Most of the Maldives luxury resorts the likes of Residence Maldives Falhumaafushi are located in secluded locations. These places offer the best snorkelling areas where the visibility of the water is very precise.

Tips for a great snorkelling session

Be mindful to rent snorkelling equipment only from certified agents. Since you are always provided with a guide/instructor, follow his instructions all the time. Don’t panic when you are in the water.

The average costs

This depends on the number of people you have with you and the number of days you require. Roughly the cost is around $8 per day and this does not include the applicable taxes.

Discover the Best of Hikkaduwa

Vacationing in Hikkaduwa is something wonderful you can try out during your tour to Sri Lanka. It’s a small coastal town located 116km south of Colombo.

Hikkaduwa beach SriLanka
DaemonX, Hikkaduwa beach LK, CC BY-SA 4.0

Swimming at Hikkaduwa Beach
Needless to say, Hikkaduwa beach is one of the safest for swimming. You may also indulge in snorkelling if you prefer, and spot huge turtles in the evening.

River safaris
For river safaris in Hikkaduwa, you have the Madhu River very close to Balapitiya. Exploring this lake system will expose you to many birds, reptiles, and also a rich network of mangroves. If you are a nature photographer, you are sure to click some of the best shots during this boat ride.

Enjoy all sorts of seafood
Any Hikkaduwa resort the likes of Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon is specialized in seafood, and that’s a fact! You are sure to find the best seafood in the world here prepared using the Sri Lankan authentic cooking styles and flavours.

Explore an ancient temple
Hikkaduwa is home to the ancient Buddhist temple Sri Pushparama Viharaya. Visit this temple during your stay to know some details about Buddhist philosophy. The monks residing here are very friendly and they’ll teach you the facts without expecting anything in return.

 

Venture into the dark corners of the ocean floor in Hikkaduwa

Venture into the dark corners of the ocean floor in Hikkaduwa to explore under sea marvels of ship wrecks, rock formations, caves and the beautiful coral reefs. The sea surrounding Hikkaduwa has hidden underwater mysteries and magical marine life for people to explore.

Water sports, Hikkaduwa| Img by: Amila Tennakoon via FlickrCC BY 2.0

 

Water sports

There are many things to do in Hikkaduwa while staying at luxury hotels such as Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon. Hikkaduwa is ideal for many kinds of water sports, deep sea diving, snorkelling and viewing of coral reefs under water via taking a ride on a glass bottom boat. There are variety of colourful tropical fish and other gorgeous marine life to be viewed as well.

Deep diving

There are so many under water sites for divers to explore; ship wrecks, reef and rock formations, underground caves and multi-coloured coral and tropical fish inhabiting the reefs are all part of an exciting diving experience in Hikkaduwa.

Historic shipwrecks

The shipwreck is a main attraction for divers here. Many divers visit this site to enjoy the adventure of diving to explore these underwater shipwrecks. An oil tanker known as Steam Ship SS Conch transporting oil to Madras hit the rocks and sank on 3rd June 1903. The parts of this broken ship are scattered over a large area on the sea beds of Hikkaduwa and part of the hull had turned upside down forming a large cave which became a safe haven for marine life and a variety of fish inhabiting it now. Divers can have a great experience swimming through this cave.

 

 

Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+