Surf, Safari & Sightseeing: Exploring Sri Lanka’s Southern Coast

Our flight landed fairly late, so we decided to spend the night near the airport.

The journey is about four hours and there are a couple of different ways to go about it: by private transfer, shared van transfer, or train. The price of a private transfer was very reasonable to us (about $100 USD), so we opted for the comfort of our own ride. Once checked into our accommodation, we wandered into town for a tasty dinner of kottu at the highly rated Chef Lady restaurant.

Our safari guide picked us up at 4 am, a rather early start for us but necessary to get a head start on potential wildlife sightings. We were one of the first Jeeps inside the park and it really paid off—in just a few short hours, we saw water buffalo, Asian elephants, crocodiles, and the star of the show: an elusive Sri Lankan leopard! There are only 35 leopards in the park and we felt really lucky. After lunch, we left the park and went back to our accommodation for a much-needed nap. That evening, we enjoyed a traditional Sri Lankan curry buffet at Smoky Kitchen.

We took another private transfer to Hiriketiya, an up-and-coming seaside town positioned between two bays. Once settled into our accommodation, we went straight to the beach to catch some rays. For dinner, we had a fantastic dinner at Smoke & Bitters (reservations recommended).

This area has something for everyone: surf lessons, abundant sun loungers, charming boutiques, trendy restaurants, fun bars, and cute cafes.

Not too far from Hiriketiya is the town of Ahangama, a haven for surfers and backpackers alike. We wish we spent a bit more time in this area and can’t wait to return!

Today was another early one as we spent the day indulging in a surf lesson with Ticket to Ride. I have never been surfing before but was keen to give it a go as I spend a lot of time on the water and am always looking to develop new skills. The team at TTR were incredible—from their teaching style to video analysis to a tasty breakfast, it was a really great day! After surfing, head into town and shop for a unique souvenir at one of the many handicraft shops.

Another short drive brought us to the town of Galle, a former Dutch fortification on the seaside. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is equal parts charming and interesting. We strolled around the walls of the fort, shopped for unique souvenirs at the many boutiques, enjoyed tasty cocktails, and had a delicious sushi dinner at The Tuna & The Crab.

As our flight neared, it was time to make our way back to the big city of Colombo. When speaking to those who have visited Sri Lanka before, everyone told us to skip Colombo—but we are glad we didn’t!

After checking into our hotel, we headed out to explore the capital city. We started with a visit to the national museum, which gave us a great glimpse into the country’s history. After that, we visited the impressive Gangaramaya Temple and marveled at the massive collection of Buddha statues from around the world. For dinner, we indulged in a delicious meal at the Ministry of Crab, rated one of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants. To cap off our night, we enjoyed a cocktail at Headquarters by W15, a rooftop bar with excellent views of the iconic Lotus Tower.

Take a private transfer to the airport before your flight. Until next time, Sri Lanka!