What to Do

Dolphin and Whale Watching

Alankuda Beach is one of those rare places in the world where these most amazing creatures of the sea can be observed with regularity and close at hand.

Kite Surfing

Our kite surfing season runs from May till October and Alankuda Beach is considered one of the top locations for experienced kitesurfers. Advanced riders can take lessons at Alankuda Beach and Guides can be provided for ‘Down-winders’ commencing at Alankuda Water Sports Centre.

Water Sports

Water sports on offer include wind surfing, sailing on either a laser or a catamaran, kayaking and canoeing. Also on offer are exhilaraiting water wing and donut rides. All of these are available at the Boat House at Alankuda Beach.

Fishing

Two hour fishing excursions are available at the Boat House. Alternatively, you can combine fishing with a visit to Bar Reef.

Bicycling

Take one of our bicycles and explore the immediate area around Alankuda Beach.

Snorkeling

For a snorkeling experience closer at hand than Bar Reef, you can go half an hour by boat to the reef just off the famed St Anne’s church, having visited a typical fishing village accessible only by sea en route and enjoy an hour and a half of lazy, hazy time taking in the colourful delights of corals and the fish that inhabit them.

Diving

This is only available to PADI qualified divers holding a valid diving license. Among the many diving attractions is the not-to-missed Bar Reef Shelf. All equipment is available but 48 hours notice is required.

Willpattu National Park

Willpattu National Park has been closed for most of the last two decades and was re-opened recently, in April 2010. You can be among the first in years to visit the varied wild life of this, the island’s largest national park.

Munnesweram Temple

Munnesweram Kovil is a much-storied Hindu temple whose origins date back to great antiquity. About an hour and a half away, it is well worth a visit.

Bar Reef

Bar Reef is a beautiful coral garden featuring extraordinarily beautiful coral formations with gorgeously colorful tropical fish darting in and around them.

St. Anne’s Church

The 17th century St. Anne’s Church in Talawila, a mere five miles away, is the island’s most renowned Catholic shrine. In March and August each year, St. Anne’s hosts the largest catholic festivals in the country, when up to 700,000 pilgrims come to pray.

Bird Watching

Bird Watching in Alankuda is a Twitcher’s dream come true. While Alankuda and its environs are a delight in themselves, we can arrange specific bird watching tours further afield, accompanied by a local expert if necessary.

Puttlam salt pans

The Puttlam salt pans are a half hour drive away for those interested in learning what one of our most basic condiments goes through before it ends up on our tables and in our food.

Cultural Triangle

For those who wish to explore the island’s ancient history, the many attractions of the Cultural Triangle, with its ruined cities, temples and statues, is within comfortable reach.

Lagoon Tour

Take a Lagoon Tour in search of Pink Dolphins and the elusive Dugong.

Kalpitiya Fort & Town

For those who wish to explore the land around them, a visit can be made to the small, nearby fishing town of Kalpitiya. Called Calpentyn by the Dutch, who established it as an important fortified trading port, it’s now a vibrant and unspoiled fishing town with an interesting mix of historical buildings from its eventful colonial past.