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Thrilling Safaris at Yala National Park, Sri Lanka

Ever had the thrill of seeing regal leopards and majestic elephants roam free in their natural habitats? Such wildlife encounters and a whole lot more awaits at the Yala National Park!

Plan Your Safari
Located in the southeast part of the country, this park can be accessed via the gates at locations such as Palatupana and Katagamuwa. For a safari tour, Sri Lanka is best explored via 4WD vehicles and Yala is no exception. A little after 6:00am and again after 4:00pm are generally the best times for spotting wildlife.

Kings of Yala
The apex predator at the park is the Sri Lankan leopard; safaris here are very popular since it has the world’s highest density of leopards in the wild. Such wildlife drives can be organised by local travel specialists the likes of Walkers Tours as part of unforgettable excursions to spot these stealthy felines.

Other Wildlife
On your adventures in Yala, you mayobserve many other creatures too including elephants who may be gentle giants, but shouldn’t be disturbed! Keep watch to also spot sloth bears, water buffalos, spotted deer, toque macaques and mugger crocodiles. Part of the park encompasses the coast where sea turtles are known to visit too.

Diverse Birdlife
Equally impressive are the diverse bird species at Yala; one of the best places for birdwatching in Sri Lanka, the park has recorded around 215 bird species. These includeendemic varieties such as the Sri Lanka wood pigeon, Sri Lanka grey hornbill and Sri Lankan junglefowl which is also the nation’s national bird.

Whale Watching in Mirissa

While Sri Lanka is popular for leopard and elephant safaris, don’t forget it is also one of the best places to see majestic whales, especially in the coastal town of Mirissa.

Planning Your Visit
Mirissa lies tucked away along the island’s south coast and is around 150 km from the commercial capital, Colombo. The main season for whale watching is from November to April and the town offers beachside accommodation at properties like Sri Sharavi Beach Villas & Spa close to the harbour where excursions launch from.

The Adventure Begins
When it comes to whale watching, Mirissa Harbour is the place to go to; excursions usually departaround 7:00am and can take around three to five hours. Do have a hat or cap since it can get quite hot; some tour operators will offer snacks / breakfast, while it’s a good idea to have motion sickness medication just in case!

Awe-inspiring Sights
Because Mirissa is near the migratory routeof whales, it offers an ideal chance to see these marine mammals. While no sighting can be guaranteed, you still have a good chance to spot the largest creature on the plant; the blue whale. On your voyage, you may also see sperm, fin and killer whales too.

More Marine Marvels
As a bonus, you have a chance to encounter dolphins, some of which can get quite animated and acrobatic! Bottlenose, common, striped and spinnerdolphins are amongst the species one may spot in the ocean. Keep your eyes peeled for you may also see turtles, flying fish and even sharks.

A travel guide to Townsville

Townsville is now turning into a wonderful tourist hub. The quaint buildings, the old pubs and simply everything about the city is quite stylish which makes it alluring to visitors. Here are a few things to look out for if you plan on visiting.

Public Buildings

The private buildings are nice alright, but the public buildings have a charm of their own that’s even more amazing! The best example for this would be the Townsville Post Office which was built in 1886 with a clocktower that has been structured to the Early Victorian Classical Revival theme.

Viewpoints

When visiting Townsville, something you need to do is to see the city from above. Now, you don’t need one of those expensive helicopter rides for this. There are several viewpoints for this, the most popular one would be Castle Hill.

Botanical Gardens

There are 2 main nature parks in Townsville, Queens Gardens which is just 9-minutes away from Oaks Townsville Metropole Hotel is a wonderful spot with tropical flowers and trees. Anderson Park Botanical Gardens is a little further away and within the place is a lagoon, picnic spots, and a conservatory.

Places to stay

If you are on the lookout for places to stay, there are historic hotels as well for a bit of old-world charm and for a taste of modern-day living, Townsville accommodation apartments are always available.

A Boat Ride in Hamilton Canal

The Hamilton Canal – commonly referred to as the Dutch Canal – connect Colombo with Puttalam. A boat ride along it will let you see some of the best sights in the region and it can be an enthralling experience overall.

The Canal’s History

The Hamilton Canal is said to have been constructed during colonial times – specifically when the Dutch were ruling Sri Lanka’s maritime provinces. Named after then governor, Gavin Hamilton, the canal was an important supply route for the Europeans.

Sahan177, Sunsets at negombo lagoon, CC BY-SA 4.0

Natural Sights

Tourists and travellers can take a tour along the canal either via bicycle or by boat. Taking the boat is preferable as you’ll be able to travel a lot further and see a myriad of stunning natural sights. These include a quaint lagoon that leads to the sea as well as the verdant expanses of the Muthurajawela Marsh.

Keep an Eye on the Wildlife

You might be perusing the hotel offers Sri Lanka has available – such as the ones offered by Heritance Negombo – in order to find a tour that will let you see the island’s wildlife. This isn’t always necessary, however, as you can plenty of endemic species via a boat ride along the canal alone. As you reach the marshlands, keep your eyes peeled for mugger crocodiles, rock pythons and a host of water birds.

The Cityscape

Nature and the wildlife aren’t the only things you’ll be saying as you cruise along the canals. You’ll also be witnessing the inner workings of Colombo and Puttalam. From tireless vendors promoting their stock to labourers taking a break and sipping some beer – it’s a wonderful way to experience the local culture.

The Best Surf Spots in Sri Lanka

If you are hoping to catch a good surf wave in Sri Lanka, then here is a list of the best beaches and surf spots in the areas to help you plan your surf trip!

Hikkaduwa

Located on the south-west coast and about 120 km from Colombo the Hikkaduwa beach is an ideal spot to ride the waves. Those staying in luxury hotels in Galle Sri Lanka such as the Heritance Ahungalla can easily reach this destination in a mere 40-45 minutes. Initially just a surf-spot, it is now a party destination too. Some good surf spots here are Bennys, Main Reef and North Jetty.

Weligama

Ideal for beginner and intermediate surfers, the Weligama beach is also a good spot to surf. The tides are not very high and there are also many hostels and motels dotting the city that can put you up with some good accommodation. A few good surf spots here would be Weligama Beach Break and Midigama that you should definitely check out.

Unawatuna

The Unawatuna Bay is yet another popular surfing destination in the south-west coast of Sri Lanka. There a few secret good swells that the locals can point you to, so its just a matter of asking them! Some of the best surf spots in Unawatuna are Delwalla Beach, Bonavista Bay and Kalabana Beach Break.

Arugambay
Known as a surfers paradise in Sri Lanka, Arugambay is by far the most famous surf spot in the island. Frequented by a lot of tourists, this beach is located on the east coast. The best time to visit this beach would be from April to Sep. Some of the best Arugambay surf spots are Elephant Rock, Baby and Main Point and Pottuvil and Whisky Point.

Kalpitiya Lagoon Boat Safari

Located in the North-West coastline of Sri Lanka, Kalpitiya is quite a famous tourist destination in Sri Lanka. If you are heading to this famous seaside destination, one thing that you must try out is a riverboat safari in the Kalpitiya Lagoon. Here is a glimpse of what you can expect.

About Kalpitiya

Kalpitiya was previously known as a ‘fishing village’ as it was mostly inhabited by fishermen in Sri Lanka. But today this sea-side town has become one of the most sought-after tourist hotspots on the island. Many hotels the likes of Dolphin Beach Resort have been set up here and can cater to the mass of tourists that visit this destination.

The Boat Safari

Kalpitiya Boat Safari| Img by: Sompop S via Flickr, CC BY 2.0

If you are ever considering going on a river safari in Sri Lanka, then Kalpitiya will not disappoint you. The lagoon is ideal for a laid back river cruise and there are many tour companies in the area that you could reach out to help arrange one for you.

What you can see on the safari

On the river safari, your boat will glide through the wilderness where you will spot many wildlife, including different species of birds, amphibians, and other marine lifeforms. 14 islands dot the lagoon and you will most likely be passing them as well. A rare sight that you may get to see if you are lucky is the pink dolphin – for which the Kalptiya Lagoon is home to.

What is included in the safari

Most river safaris will include an English speaking guide and refreshments while on the tour, There are some tours that also make a picnic-stop in the jungle, which will be ideal if you are travelling with that special someone.

Kayaking in Nga Bay

When amazing rock formations, islets, and caves are combined with the surrounding waters, it is definitely a pleasing sight to see. If you kayak in Phang Nga Bay, this sight is surely yours to explore!

Location

This bay is located between Phuket and the Malay Peninsula. This area is also home to many Thailand luxury villas for sale such as the famous Avadina Hills by Anantara promising a piece of heaven in terms of tourism and investors who are interested in real estate in this area.

Phang-nga_Bay, — Tony Ng, Phang-nga Bay, leading to James Bond Island – panoramio, CC BY-SA 3.0

Getting to the Bay

Just as the name suggests, it’s a Bay and the only way to get to it is via water. Most resorts will offer this service and so you can get to the bay first by a boat.

Your sea-kayaking experience

You can enjoy the kayaking experience in the day time or even in the night. But the most common is the day trip. While you kayak peacefully, do not forget to explore the beautiful sceneries all around you. You’ll come across tunnels, caves, and many other special places and they’ll bring you an exciting feeling.

Useful tips

The caves can sometimes be very dark and you should be prepared to experience this on your journey. If you are enjoying this experience during the summer, make sure you take more water bottles with you so you can stay hydrated.

Scuba diving in the Maldives

When compared to freediving, scuba diving is much more practical if your goal is to take in the underwater world at a slower pace. It is a highly-sought activity, especially among first-time divers or amateurs in the field.

Diving Lessons

For some of us, scuba diving can be an unnerving task. But with professional training, you will be able to swim like a pro alongside the colourful inhabitants of the sea. Check with the Maldivian resort you are staying at, such as Saii Lagoon Maldives and they are sure to recommend a place that provides diving lessons.

The Equipment

If you can see yourself becoming a regular diving enthusiast, having your own equipment would be a lot easy on your wallet. A regulator, a BCD, and a wet suit are what you need when diving. If you don’t want to carry these around, you can always rent the equipment. Just be sure to check some of the best and the exclusive Maldives offers before opting for a particular resort.

Diving Sites

Reefs, Kandus, Thilas, and Giris, are some of the fascinating diving sites around the Maldivian atolls. You could even explore a wreck and discover something from the past. All these sites will offer you mindblowing experiences of a world that transcends time.

The Experience

It isn’t that surprising that diving is one of the best attractions of Maldives. From being transfixed by vibrant reef fish to getting up close to a gorgeous manta ray, it offers an exhilarating feeling that would last for a lifetime.

Snorkelling in Maldives

There’s plenty of reason to go snorkelling in the Maldives. Here the water is crystal clear and calm and harbours an incredible variety of marine life. With over 2000 reefs scattered across its waters; these islands are undoubtedly a snorkellers paradise.

When to Visit

Now, before you grab your snorkelling kit and fly out to the Maldives in a hurry, keep in mind that certain times are better for snorkelling than others. The Maldives may be a tropical island but it experiences heavy storms during the monsoon season, this makes the waters a little rough and the animals more skittish. So, if it is an option, try to visit between January and April when the weather tends to be immaculate.

Places to Stay

The Maldives is well known for its luxurious accommodation options. A Maldives beach resort such as the Faarafushi Maldives can be a great option if you want to properly relax and unwind between bouts of snorkelling. That being said, the islands have resorts for all kinds of budgets, so be sure to browse through and pick something that works for you.

Where to Snorkel

One of the most important decisions you’ll be making is deciding on where exactly you want to snorkel in. While there’s quite the list of locations to choose from, there are three spots you can always depend on. Firstly, there’s Banana Reef which is renowned for all the different types of reef fish that call it home. Then there’s Manta Point, named as such because of its resident manta ray populations. Finally, there’s HP Reef which is known for its diverse coral varieties and reef shark population.

A Few Tips

If this is the first time you’re going snorkelling in the Maldives, the following tips may prove invaluable. Most importantly, if you’re renting gear, only do so from reputed suppliers. Remember to have a trained guide accompany you at all times in the water. Finally, when you’re underwater please refrain from touching anything without the go-ahead from your guide.

A Fun Day at Kurrawa Beach

Ask surfers on Australia’s Gold Coast for the best beaches for surfing, and chances are they will include Kurrawa Beach in Broadbeach. However, this idyllic stretch of shore offers more than just great waves!

A Day at the Beach

Located in Broadbeach, Kurrawa Beach with its golden sands is an ideal place to unwind and soak up the sun. Of course, one of the best things to do in Broadbeach is to go surfing on the fab swells found here; novices can head to the Gold Coast Surf Academy which provides board hire and surf lessons.

Kurrawa Surf Life Saving Club

The beach is home to the well-known Kurrawa Surf Life Saving Club which hosts the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships. Around an 11-minute walk from Avani Broadbeach Gold Coast Residences, this club also features a popular bar and bistro where one can enjoy food, drinks and live entertainment.

Active Beach Pursuits

Those looking for more fun things to do while at the beach can head to its boardwalk; it offers an excellent spot to go rollerblading and cycling which makes for ideal family activities too. You can even enjoy a leisurely stroll here and take time to appreciate the stunning coastal vistas.

Playground & Picnics

Families visiting Kurrawa Beach in Broadbeach can also make use of the nearby playground area which has a duck pond that little ones are bound to love. Additionally, there are picnic grounds which are sheltered and provide opportunities for one to have a BBQ before heading back for more fun on the shore.