5 Fun Things To Do With Your Kids In Sri Lanka

Heading to the island with your kids and wondering what exactly you can do? Sri Lanka is a treasure trove of adventure. The tropical paradise found on the Indian Ocean has everything you’d want in a holiday; from exciting outdoor activities, watersports, exotic wildlife, as well as a rich historical and cultural background. While kids can have a variety of interests that could change in the span of 30 minutes – here are 5 things to do with your kids in Sri Lanka no matter what mood they’re in!

Visit A Turtle Hatchery

There are 7 species of endangered sea turtles in the world and 5 of which are found in Sri Lanka, nesting in the golden shores or gliding through the azure waters. Turtle hatcheries can be found around the island, but the premier location is on the south coast, in Hikkaduwa or Tangalle. Visit a turtle hatchery to learn more about these intriguing creatures and the conservation efforts carried out by the hatcheries. If you’re lucky enough, you’ll even get to release some baby turtles back into the ocean!

Learn To Surf

Sri Lanka is a premier surfing destination, and the two main places to surf are Weligama on the south coast and Arugam Bay on the east coast. While they are both excellent locations, Weligama is perhaps slightly more catered towards young children, with plenty of surf schools dotted along its golden beach and calm shallow waters that are ideal for beginners. The season for surfing in the south is from November to March as this is when the weather is at its best and the sea at its calmest, making for some great waves. There’s also a number of surf breaks to suit different levels of surfers; if you and your family haven’t surfed before, you’re sure to be pro surfers by the end of your trip.

Go Whale Watching

The south coast is also the #1 location for whale watching. Mirissa, only a 15-minute drive from Weligama, is the best place to go whale watching and nowhere else in the world do these incredible giants swim so close to land. The warm waters attract different species of whales from Blue whales, Sperm whales, Bryde’s whales, Humpback whales and occasionally Killer whales. This will be an unforgettable experience since you’ll only be a few meters away from these magnificent creatures. Another perk of this tour is that you’ll spot dolphins swimming alongside your boat too! Here are 5 things to know before your whale watching trip.

Wander Through Polonnaruwa

The ancient city of Polonnaruwa is found in the heart of the Cultural Triangle, an area in the Central Province where most of the country’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites can be found. Polonnaruwa was the second capital of Sri Lanka and today, it’s home to many interesting ancient structures, including the ruins of a king’s seven-storey palace! You can either walk or cycle through the premises and since the sites are spread out, your kids will have plenty of room to explore. Read about the other historic sites that you can visit too.

Go on a Safari

Finally, you can see the world’s two largest mammals in one day- the blue whale and the elephant. This can be done on the southern coast since Yala National Park is only a 2 ½ hour drive from Mirissa. However, for a more enjoyable experience visit Minneriya National Park which is close to Polonnaruwa. It is within the confines of this park that the world’s largest gathering of Asian elephants occurs. During the dry season (June – August) elephants come out of the thick jungles and into the open plains for water. You’ll be able to spot  200 – 500 elephants at once which is truly magical.

Tips:

• Since Sri Lanka is a tropical island, it will be very hot so bring plenty of sunblock, after-sun cream and hats. Also, bring a mosquito repellent/bug spray.
• As you will be travelling away from major cities, it’s best that you carry your stock of medicine with you, just in case of an emergency.
• If you’re prone to motion sickness, take the necessary medication at least 30 minutes before setting sail on your whale watching safari.