Water - The Adventure Travel Site

Cruise Planning

The relief of settling onto the deck of a massive cruise ship sailing towards your desired destination as you sip on a pina colada is simply one of the most rewarding experiences, especially if you managed to plan the whole time to your precise needs.

Compare your options:

It easy to get swamped by the range of options and destinations available for you when you first begin your search. Take care to not get overwhelmed and always cross-check to ensure that you are making the best choice.

Trust a travel agent:

Once you know what cruise you want to take get the help of a travel agent to assist with the best possible itinerary for your trip!

Be early:

An element that is easy to overlook is the time factor, if you prepare well in advance it is much more likely that you will be able to secure for yourself the best experience out in the ocean or even on a Mekong river cruise if you are siged up with places like Mekong Kingdoms.

Think about a shorter trip:

Sometimes the 5-day long trip can be as satisfying and refreshing as the 3-week long journey on the high seas and could be more cost-effective as well!

Bangkok River Tours Set Sail Through the City

Sailing through the Chao Phraya River is one of the best ways to explore Bangkok. River cruises can take you to most attractions across the city.

Life-giving Chao Phraya River

The river snakes through several towns in the country, blessing it with nature’s bounty. When the Chao Phraya River makes its way to Bangkok, it meanders across the city. You can follow its path to experience different sides of the city.

Sailing along the river

There are many options available to sail the Chao Phraya River. But one of the best experiences you can savour is going on a cruise in Bangkok, especially one that offers comfort and indulgence. For example, Manohara Cruise company offers dining journeys. The river swirls through iconic landmarks, markets and urban landscapes.

Clay Gilliland, Bangkok along the Chao Phraya and Wat Arun (14881740197), CC BY-SA 2.0

Where you’ll go

You’ll be able to access a number of key attractions in the city from the river. The Grand Palace is perhaps the most iconic one while Khao San Road is (the party hub in Bangkok) is another favourite with travellers. You can also visit Wat Arun temple and the National Museum of Barges.

Mr.Peerapong Prasutr, Bangkok Royal Barge National Museum 4, CC BY-SA 4.0

Floating markets

Don’t skip out on checking a few floating markets along the river. You’ll find delectable food, local handicrafts and even toys amongst wares of the vendors on their boats.

Roberto Faccenda from Canale CN, Italy, Understanding the “floating market” (15801439261), CC BY-SA 2.0

Blue Whale Watching Ahungalla

The warm blue waters off the coast of Mirissa, Sri Lanka harbour some of the largest creatures on the planet – gigantic blue whales. If you’re planning a vacation to this tropical paradise, whale watching should definitely be near the top of your to-do list!

Best Time to Visit

From April to November – the time of the North-west monsoons – is the best time to go whale watching in Sri Lanka, as massive herds of blue and humpback whales pass through Sri Lankan waters in search of warm waters to the West and South.

How to Get There

Mirissa is a fishing village well known for its rather large fishing harbour. Still, it isn’t as developed as other beach destinations in the island, meaning it’s best to seek accommodation options in the surrounding areas. For example, there’s plenty of hotels in Ahungalla – which is around a couple of hours’ boat ride away – such as the Heritance Ahungalla.

About Blue Whales

The main characters of your whale watching trip will be majestic blue whales. Growing close to 30 metres in length and weighing over 150 tonnes, these are the largest living animals to have ever existed on the planet – that’s right, they even dwarf the largest dinosaurs! It’s ironic then that these behemoths feed on some of the smallest animals in the ocean – krill and plankton – with their specialised baleen mouth parts.

Whale Watching Practices

Unfortunately, like most large animals today, blue whales are under threat of extinction due to human activity – notably the (now mostly banned) practice of commercial whaling. As such, when whale watching, measures are taken to ensure that we don’t interfere with the whales’ natural behaviour. Notably, fewer passengers are allowed on board whale watching vessels, and these are always closely monitored by the Sri Lankan Coastguard.

Top beaches in Praslin

A luxurious beach getaway is all that you need when boredom or life stress strikes. Either alone by yourself or with your better half, just explore these beaches you find in Praslin and the relaxation you’ll feel is guaranteed.

Anse Lazio

This is popularly known as the best beach in Praslin Island that’s blessed with crystal clear waters and white sands. If your idea is to spend your time swimming and snorkeling, this is, of course, the ideal beach for you.

Cote d’Or

If you are spending your family vacation at a nearby resort such as Berjaya Praslin Resort, travel to this laid-back beach to simply unwind. Enjoy the beautiful sunsets with your family here, and your kids will love it too!

Anse La Blague

Praslin resort facilities will always be special for honeymooners, and so will its beaches. Among them, Anse La Blague is one of the most popular beaches among newly wedded couples, as it’s so secluded and serene.

Anse Madge

If you are looking for a silent and calm beach, Anse Madge is the beach for you. While sipping on a tropical drink, you can just lay back here and relax as much as you want.

Kitesurf Trips in Kalpitiya

Located along the west coast of Sri Lanka, Kalpitiya is a beach destination that offers a fascination landscape, unlike anywhere else on the island. In addition to kitesurfing, the area is in close proximity to Wilpattu National Park which offers whale watching, snorkelling and plenty more to see and do.

Where to Stay

Kitesurfing| Img via Dolphin Beach Resort

Kalpitiya has a range of accommodation to fit any budget. Depending on what kind of Kalpitiya windsurfing holiday you’re after, you’ll want to base yourself at established hotels or resorts, like Dolphin Beach Resort for example, that offer easy access and trained professionals that will guide you on a kitesurfing adventure.

Whales, Dolphins and Dives

The best time for whale and dolphin watching as well as diving is between December and April. Being a little more remote than the south coast, this means you’ll have far more private experiences in the deep blue.

Kitesurfing

Packages vary at each hotel or kitesurf school, but a reputed place will offer you certification on completing your lessons, allowing you to rent kiteboarding equipment anywhere in the world.

Beyond the Beach

Rent a bicycle and explore the countryside, join a yoga class or embark on a day’s outing to Wilpattu National Park further north, a stunning and less congested National Park teeming with sloth bear, leopard and other wildlife.

Pala-U Waterfall of Hua Hin

If you thought Hua Hin was all about lazing around on golden beaches with azure waters, well, you were right! But that’s not all there is to it, Hua Hin is a place the ignites the spirit of adventure and Pala-U waterfall is definitely a must-see.

Location

This beautiful waterfall is surrounded by vibrant green trees looking picturesque with an earthy background. It is located in none other than the largest national park of Thailand, Kaeng Krachan National Park. The park is just 63 kilometres away from the city and is an enjoyable journey as well.

User: (WT-shared) Onyo at wts wikivoyage, Ngerdmau Waterfall, CC BY-SA 4.0

Entering the sanctuary unobtrusive

Arrive at the park and you’ll have to pay a sum of 400 baht to enter. You are sure to find an expereince that was certainly worth the price! The vegetation here is thriving and hues of green decorate the woods here. Try to spot the unobtrusive wildlife here. When it comes to things to do in Hua Hin, hiking this trail is simply unmissable.

Listen to the call of nature

Pala-U forest reserve is home to a lively ecosystem. The waterfall here has about 15 tiers and goes under the same name as the park. Of these 15 tiers of waterfall, tourists are usually encouraged to visit just the first 3 as the rest might be dangerous.

How about a stay?

The only way to experience nature even better is a stay over at the reserve. Now you might have already booked into hotels like Avani+ Hua Hin Resort in the city, but a comfortable stay is possible here as well. You can either pitch a tent or book one of the small houses available here.

Beach Travel in Marawila

Located around 30km away from Negombo Beach, Marawila is a secluded stretch of coastline that is perfect for travelers who appreciate a bit of seclusion and privacy. Take in the picturesque sights of pristine beaches, lush tropical plantations, and tranquil lagoons all in quiet comfort.

Relax at the Beach

Undoubtedly, Marawila’s white sandy beaches are its star attractions. As mentioned, most of the beach areas are secluded, letting you relax and bask in the tropical sun in peace. That being said, the area isn’t completely deserted by any means, you will find a number of cafes and clubs dotted around if you’re looking for some company.

Go Exploring

Marawila is located in close proximity to a number of exciting travel destinations – particularly some of the island’s premier natural hotspots. Sri Lanka’s largest national park the Wilpattu is only a couple of hours’ drive away, and then, of course, there is Negombo town to the south. Any reputed Marawila beach hotel in Sri Lanka will include these destinations in their itineraries – like Amagi Beach for example – so be sure to consult with them too!

Take a Dive

The calm blue waters that lie beyond Marawila’s beaches are home to an impressive array of marine life, especially in the coral reefs found in the shallows. Jump in the water and go snorkeling to get up close and personal with a fantastic variety of fish and other sea creatures.

Try Some Toddy

Marawila has a thriving community of local toddy tappers, often spotted atop coconut trees going about their business. Toddy itself is a mildly alcoholic drink that bears a similar taste to cider. So then, after a long day spent at the beach or exploring, why not relax, unwind and sip some freshly brewed toddy?

Beruwala Fish Market

With all there is to see in Beruwala, a noisy, smelly fishing harbour might not seem like your typical tourist destination. However, if you are looking for things to do in Wadduwa, you shouldn’t miss out on the inimitable charms of the Beruwala Fish Market.

The Location

Getting to the fish market is a relatively simple affair if you’re staying over at a nearby hotel – for example, The Blue Water Hotel and Spa. First, get yourself to Beruwala, then simply take a tuk-tuk or cab to the Beruwala Harbour which is only around 3km away.

When to Get There

The fish market begins to come alive in the early hours of the morning, and this perhaps the best time to go visit too. You’ll find fisherman loading up their gear, boats readying up for a day of seafaring and the crisp ocean sunrise sneak up over the horizon.

Choose Your Fish

There’s an abundance of fish varieties to choose from if you’re in the mood for buying. You’ll find piles of mackerel, sardine and seer piled up all around the market floor – careful not to step on them! There are also bigger catches, like sharks, rays and giant tuna.

Get it Prepared

Once you pick out your fish, you can hand it over to certain fishermen who’ll have it prepared for you – essentially gutting and filleting your purchase. Take this opportunity to get to know the locals, most of them are quite friendly and might show you a thing or two about how fishing works in Beruwala.

Mekong River Cruises Guide

The Mekong is one of the largest rivers on the planet; flowing through several South East Asian countries, it has had a tremendous impact on the culture of these countries and their people. A cruise along this great river can be the adventure of a lifetime and we’ve put together a quick guide to help you plan the perfect river cruise.

Why Visit the Mekong River

A cruise along the Mekong will take you on a journey that spans countries and cultures. You’ll encounter everything from ancient ruins to traditional fishing villages. What’s more, the Mekong river basin boasts an astounding degree of biodiversity – second only to the Amazon.

Taking a Day Tour

If you’re strapped for time, a day cruise might be ideal for you. If you’re visiting the Mekong via Laos, Luang Prabang is where you want to go. There should be many Luang Prabang cruise tours to choose from. For instance, Mekong Kingdoms offers sunset cruises with dinner, as well as visits to Pak Ou cave and Kuang Si waterfall. Alternatively, you can experience Cambodian culture via a day tour through Kampong Cham.

Visiting the Delta

Located in Vietnam, the Mekong Delta region is ripe with natural beauty and exotic wildlife – a cruise along this stretch of the river is guaranteed to be filled with spectacular photo ops. This option also lets you experience Vietnamese culture first-hand, and the chance to try out authentic Vietnamese cuisine.

A Luxury River Cruise

Choosing a luxury cruise lets you enjoy all the sites and experiences the Mekong relaxed, pampered and in quiet comfort. Most luxury cruises travel between Siem Reap and Ho Chi Minh City or Phnom Penh. Taking these routes means you’ll encounter everything from beautifully crafted pagodas and temples to endless rice fields and charming floating markets.

Dolphin and Whale Watching in Kalpitiya

Have you seen dolphins playfully swimming or perhaps a majestic whale coming up to the surface? If not, you have a very good chance of doing so when in Kalpitiya, Sri Lanka!

Planning Your Visit
The island’s northwestern coast is where you will find Kalpitiya, around 170 km from the commercial capital, Colombo. This area has fast become a popular destination for both locals and tourists; with accommodation options, the likes of Dolphin Beach Resort also organising excursions out to sea, dolphin and whale watching has never been easier to do.

Spotting Dolphins
There is much to look forward to on your adventures in Kalpitiya; dolphin watching includes getting the chance to see huge pods of spinner dolphins as they swim, play and sometimes leap into the air! The great thing is, you may see other dolphin species too such as Risso’s, bottlenose, humpback, Fraser’s and spotted dolphins.

Giants of the Deep
Truly unforgettable is the chance to spot the largest animal to have ever lived on earth; the mighty blue whale. Whale watching in Kalpitiya even gives you opportunities to witness other kinds of such gentle giants as well; these include sperm, minke, dwarf sperm and melon-headed whales.

Picking the Season
While you are by no means guaranteed sightings (especially whales), there are seasons where your chances are greatly increased. For dolphin watching, the months ranging from October till March are best. When it comes to whale sightings, November to April is generally considered the best period in Kalpitiya.