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| Beaches In Sri Lanka And Maldives |
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Overview
of Beaches In Sri Lanka
Over one thousand kilometers of palm fringed sandy beaches
encircle the Island. Sri Lanka is never out of season
for a
beach holiday.
The beach resorts in the West Coast, South Coast and the
East Coast are most popular with people who enjoy taking
a
dip in the warm waters and relaxing on the sandy beach.
West Coast Beaches The
West Coast stretches northwards from Mt. Lavinia a southern
suburb of Colombo. Mt. Lavinia and Negombo are the
best developed beach resorts in this region.
Mt. Lavinia: Eleven kilometers south from Colombo
along the road to Galle is the beach resort of Mt. Lavinia.
The sea is
safe for bathing and is a popular bathing spot with
clean sandy beaches. The name Lavinia reminds one of
a secret love
affair between a British Governor and a local damsel
who used to meet at the holiday house of the Governor
which
stood on the spot where now the Mt. Lavinia Hotel is
located.
Negombo: The major beach resort in the West Coast
is Negombo. The wide sandy beaches and the safe sea
are the
major attractions of Negombo, a traditional fishing
town. Besides the beach, the fish market is worth visiting
where
busy trading of a variety of fish including prawns,
crabs and seer takes place in the mornings when the
fishing crafts
return to the shore with their catch. The most popular
fishing craft is the outrigger canoe called Oruwa dug
out from a
huge log and is seen in large numbers in the Negombo
lagoon.
South Coast Beaches
The southern coastal belt is the most popular and comes
to life mainly from October through April when the monsoon
moves north east and the sea becomes calm with blue skies.
It is an ideal place to spend the Winter vacation. The
main
beach resorts are at Beruwala, Bentota and Hikkaduwa having
several beach hotels with their exclusive beachfronts.
Another interesting stretch of beach in the south is Unawatuna.
Beruwala: An hour's drive from Colombo along
the south coast will take the visitor to Beruwala that
marks the beginning
of the South Coast Beach Resort. Beruwala is considered
to be the first Muslim settlement in the Island established
by the Arab traders as far back as the 8th century. There
is a famous Muslim mosque at the beachhead close to which
is a
lighthouse, one of several erected along the Sri Lankan
coast.
Hikkaduwa: 99 km. from Colombo,
this is the place for underwater delights where there
is a marine sanctuary abundant
with rare corals and tropical fish. The underwater world
of colorful corals and beautiful shoals of fish can be
explored either
by snorkeling or taking a ride in a glass bottom boat.
Unawatuna: Four kilometers south of Galle
is Unawatuna (120 km. from Colombo), a beautiful stretch
of beach in the south, safe for bathing. The road leading
south from Colombo passes through the Southern Beach Resorts
winding its way through stretches of coconut land. Along
the drive, you could spot a man high up in the air crossing
from tree to tree on two ropes
tied tightly to the trees like a tight rope walker in
a circus. He is a 'toddy tapper' getting about his daily
chores tapping the
sap off the tender inflorescence of the coconut trees
which is used to distill Sri Lankan Arrack and other alcoholic
beverages.
East Coast Beaches
If Sri Lanka is Serendipity, beach lovers will find lots
of it on the east coast. The coast line here is uneven
with many bays
and sheltered coves. On some beaches here you can walk
a mile into the sea. From April to October, the East Coast
comes
to life. It is one of the best stretches of beach in Sri
Lanka. The Eastern beaches stretch for over 300 kilometers
along which tourist resorts have developed in Nilaveli,
16 km. from Trincomalee and Kalkudah, 32 km. north of
Batticaloa.
Trincomalee: 257 km. from
Colombo. Trincomalee is the ideal refuge for the
beach addict, with its fine natural harbor
and excellent beaches. Horatio Nelson, the British admiral
of the 18th century had on arriving at the Trincomalee
harbor described it as the finest harbors in the world.
It is a beautiful natural harbor worthy of that description
and has been in
use from the days of the early Sinhala kings. The old
Portuguese/Dutch Fort reminiscent of the colonial rule
of the Island
has the year 1676 inscribed above its entrance by the
Dutch. It was subsequently named Fort Frederick by the
British.
Nilaveli: 14 km. from Trincomalee, Nilaveli
hosted the
1985 International Fun Board Championships. All water
sports are available here including fishing and sea angling.
Whale watching in the sanctuary is a specialty. This is
a prime beach
resort in the East Coast. It is ideally suited for sun
bathing, sea bathing and diving. A few meters off shore
is a small rocky island good for snorkeling.
Kalkudah & Passekudah: These are very fine
beaches in the East Coast. Kalkudah Bay is a 2 km. long
wide stretch of
beach well protected from the monsoon by the off shore
reef. Passekudah Bay is another wide beach 4 km. long
just
south of Kalkudah. The combined area of Passekudah and
Kalkudah is an ideal stretch for bathing, windsurfing
and water skiing. Beautiful shoals of fish can be
explored either by snorkeling or taking a ride in a glass
bottom boat.
Arugam Bay: 314
km. from Colombo, a most beautiful bay with good surfing.
The East coast offers infinite
possibilities for all kinds of water sports and underwater
photography. The many shipwrecks off the coast are a tempting
challenge to the diver. Arugam Bay (Arugambay)
is close to Pottuvil, south east of the island, on one
of the
most beautiful and unspoilt tropical coasts in the world.
Inland is a band of jungle 70km wide. Wild elephants roam
the
coastal plain.
Delightful Lahugala National Park is about 10 miles inland.
An astonishing range of bird life migrates
to the wetlands and hosts the famous marsh Elephants of
Sri Lanka. Kumana National Park, which starts about
20 miles to the south, harbors some of the virgin beaches
in the East Cost.
Batticaloa: Like most other coastal
townships, Batticaloa was under Portuguese and Dutch rule.
A Dutch Fort stands
close to the Batticaloa lagoon. The most famous attraction
of Batticaloa is its 'Singing Fish'. On full moon nights
a faint
but distinct musical sound rises from the lagoon waters.
This is attributed to a noise emanated by a kind of fish
found
in the lagoon.
Activities
Cruising: Cruising in the Maldives
is called a 'safari'! Cruising vessels specially commissioned
to cater to the needs of
guests come in all shapes and sizes. Your itinerary on
one could include stopping over for varying lengths of
time
at favorite diving, snorkeling or fishing points, in addition
to visits to various islands.
Island hopping:
This is another way of fitting in a lot into
one package. This could entail a visit by boat to one
or
more fishing villages in addition to visiting one or more
uninhabited islands.
Attractions Of Male': During your stay
in the Maldives, you must visit Male', the capital of
the Maldives. Male' is roughly
two square kilometers of land. There is no natural source
of even potable water.
Despite this, Male' manages to be
reasonably green, peaceful and even graceful in its charm.
Male' would certainly count as one of the smallest capitals
in
the world. A
third of the country's population, about 75,000 live on
this island. The old bazaar area still houses the
country's hub of wholesale and retail trade, 0ther lanes
are so narrow that a single vehicle would find it difficult
to
navigate through, especially with its throngs of busy
people. The capital has several fascinating sights that
offer an
interesting glimpse into the history and culture of this
great country which most people mistakenly identify only
as a
top class water sport destination of fairy tale resorts.
Huskuru Miskiiy: Built in the 17th century
the Huskuru Miskiiy or Friday Mosque served the population
of Male' as their
main mosque for almost four centuries. Built in 1656 the
mosque is a masterpiece of coral carving and traditional
workmanship - probably the best display of coral carving
anywhere in the world. The walls of the mosque are hewn
together with blocks of filigree-carved coral blocks.
Heavy wooden doors slide open to the inner sanctums with
lamp
hangings of wood and panels intricately carved with Arabic
writings. The area surrounding the mosque is a cemetery
with a legion of intricately carved coral headstones.
Mulee-aage: Right in front of the Hukuru Miskiiy
is Mulee-aage, a palace built in 1906 by Sultan Mohamed
Shamsuddeen III. The palace with its wrought iron gates and fretwork friezes
on its roof edges and well-kept garden was intended for
his son, but the Sultan was deposed before this could
be done.
The National Museum: The National
Museum is housed in an Edwardian colonial-style building
of three floors, with an
amazing collection inside. A variety of artifacts from
times past would give an idea of the unique and rich culture
and
history of this island nation. A visit to the museum gives
an instant insight to the wealth of history most visitors
never
suspect existed.
The Islamic Center: The
Islamic Center is the most vivid architectural landmark
of Male'. The spectacular golden dome
in all its majesty dominates the skyline. Completed in
1984, the Center consists of a mosque big enough for 5000
people,
an Islamic library, conference hall, classrooms and offices.
The Male' Fish Market: The main commercial
area of Male' is located on the northern waterfront of
Male'. This area is the
main hub of trade and is a hive of activity throughout
the day. The waterfront and the by-lanes in the area are
crowded
with shops stocked with a variety of goods. Also in the
area are the Male' Fish Market and the Local Market selling
a range
of local produce. While some 'dhonis' from all corners
of the country unload dried fish, fresh fruits and vegetables
from the atolls others are seen loading everything from
foodstuffs to construction materials. The pace increases
in mid-afternoon as fishing 'dhonis' start returning with
their day's catch. The catch, mainly tuna are carried
across the road into the open-sided market and laid out
on the tiled floors. As fast as the fish are brought in
they are bought and taken away by men from all walks of
life. The market is kept scrupulously clean, washed down
each day and disinfected.
Photo-flights: If you want to enjoy an especially
wonderful view of the country, try an air excursion by
a seaplane. A
glimpse of these wonderful islands from the air is an
unforgettable sight.
Water Sports
The resorts in the Maldives offer a wide variety
of water sports. All resorts offer diving and snorkeling.
Some have
professional windsurf schools with qualified instructors
offering multi-lingual certified courses, while others
provide the
basics needed for the windsurf enthusiast. Windsurf schools
or water sports centers in the resorts are often equipped
with one or more catamarans and a few kayaks or canoes.
There are some resorts that offer only non-motorized water
sports as a rule, to avoid disturbing the peace. However
many of the resorts offer you the chance of testing your
skills
to the limits, at water-skiing, jet skiing, parasailing,
body surfing, knee boarding and fun with banana riding
and ringo riding. Further, many provide romantic sunset
sailing or adventurous excursions, in catamarans or small
'dhonis'.
Windsurfing: The large lagoons
that surround most of the islands are ideal for windsurfing.
Large lagoons with waist
deep water for hundreds of meters with soft sandy bottoms
and the protective barrier provided by the house reef,
offer
ideal, safe conditions for windsurfing, especially for
beginners. Almost all resorts have windsurf schools or
water sports
centres where you could get instructions and lessons and
even get an international certificate. Some schools are
equipped with a variety of boards and sails to suit different
levels of windsurfers. All windsurf schools and water
sports canters
without exception, have the basic equipment for windsurfing,
and in most cases one or more catamarans and a few canoes.
Snorkeling: A trip to the Maldives will never
be complete without donning a mask and a pair of fins
and experiencing
the beauty that sustains these tiny islands. Each island
offers a beautiful house-reef that you could snorkel in
everyday.
Those resorts with far out reefs have boats that take
snorkellers to the reef. Mask and fins can be rented from
the dive schools if you need them. Snorkeling in the incredibly
clear waters here would open a new world for you under
water.
What lies under the water is a veritable wonder of nature.
The variety and abundance of colorful fish in the reefs
surrounding the islands and the atolls would fill you
with amazement and disbelief !
Water Skiing:
Many resorts have their own speedboats and water skis
for rent on an hourly or daily basis. Some even
have instructors available to give you lessons. Prices
vary from resort to resort.
Parasailing: Most
of the bigger resorts offer the excitement and fun of
parasailing. Some offer instructions for beginners. Parasailing
is ideal for those adventurous enough to try it. In addition
to the excitement of being high up over the islands,
it gives you a fantastic aerial view of your resort and
the surroundings.
Fishing: Almost all
the resorts offer fishing, with night fishing being the
most popular. A unique Maldivian sport, night
fishing provides a quiet, relaxing time under the stars,
out at sea, rocking gently to the waves, in addition to
the excitement
of fishing. In night fishing, the boat is anchored at
a reef just before sunset. Lines are tethered with hooks
and sinkers
and dropped overboard. The favorite catch is the red snapper.
Many resorts also organize morning fishing and big game
fishing. Morning fishing, like big-game fishing involves
trolling outside the atoll, usually along the outer atoll
reef.
Overview of Beaches In Maldives
The Maldives has always and will always remain a unique
destination for the fun loving tourist seeking an exotic
holiday.
Over 1190 tiny islands are grouped into natural atolls
that are protected by surrounding coral reefs. The islands
are of
pure white coral sand and are low-lying, the highest point
on any given island being no more than a meter and a half
above sea level! Buddhism arrived here in 300 BC and was the main religion till
1153 AD when Islam started having an influence
on the Royal family followed by conversions. Today, a
common language (Dhivehi) and religion (Islam) have been
two blessings that unite the people into a cohesive and
peaceful society. Pride is taken in tradition though not
at the expense
of liberal and enlightened compassionate thinking.
Hotels & Resorts
Apart from the Hotels on Male', most of the hotels in
the Maldives are called tourist resorts. A tourist resort,
by the
Maldivian definition, is an island all by itself. Every
resort island has its own beach. Fringing the inner lagoon,
you will
normally find what we call the 'house reef' here. The
house reef separates the island and its inner lagoon from
the deeper water outside. You will discover that the landscaping
has been done round the natural vegetation. The only man-made
edifices in your resort would probably be the rooms and
suites as well as the resort facilities that are on offer.
Finally, all resorts offer recreational facilities that
include water sports and activities listed above as well
as excursions to Male'. For
your convenience we have identified selected resorts in
various Star categories. Needless to say, irrespective
of the categorization, they are all excellent hand picked
resorts set amidst incredible natural beauty offering
modern services, delectable food, extremely hospitable
service and personalized attention to the smallest details.
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3 Star Resorts
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4 Star Resorts
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5 Star Resorts
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5 Star Deluxe Resorts
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Dhindufinolhu
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Ari Beach
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Full Moon
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Banyan Tree
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Embudhu Village
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Lily Beach
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Taj Coral reef
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Makunudu Island
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Fihalohi
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Lohifushi Island
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Vilu Reef
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Coco Palm
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Fun Island (Bodufinolhu)
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Bandos Island
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Laguna Beach
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Four Seasons
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Giravaru
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Baros Holiday
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Olhuveli View hotel
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Hilton Rangali
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Eriyadhoo Island
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Paradise Island
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Kanuhura Beach & SPA
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Holiday Island
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Sun Island
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Diving in Maldives?
Scattered across the equator in
the middle of the Indian Ocean, the gem like islands of
the Maldives depict the
rare vision of a tropical paradise. Palm fringed islands
with sparkling white beaches, turquoise lagoons, clear
warm
waters and coral reef teeming with abundant varieties
of marine flora and fauna, continue to fascinate visitors,
as it has fascinated others in the past, for thousands
of years. Marco polo referred to the Maldives as the '.....
Flower of the Indies', and Ibn Batuta called her in his
chronicles 'one of the wonders of the world'.
Climate - The climate of Maldives is warm year round,
determined by the monsoons. However, being on the equator,
the monsoons are mild and not as defined as in the neighboring
countries. Of the two monsoons, the southwest monsoon
from May to October, brings more rain and wind. The northeast
monsoon, from November to April, is the dry season with
very
little wind. The temperature varies little with an annual
average daily maximum of 30.4 degrees Celsius and the
minimum
at 25.4 degrees Celsius. The annual rainfall stood at
just over 1,600 millimeters in 1992. In the same year,
the country,
with the equator running through it, had over 2,700 hours
of sunshine.
Geography - Measuring 820 Kilometers North to South
and 120 Kilometers East to West at its greatest width,
the coral
reef archipelago is of
26 major atoll formations; a total of 1190 islands of
which 199 islands are inhabited and 74 are exclusively
developed as tourist resorts.
Language - The language of the Maldives, Dhivehi,
is of Indo-Aryan origin and is the official language of
the country.
English is widely spoken.
Airport - Male' International Airport is situated
by itself on the island of Hulhule', fifteen minutes by
Dhoni (local motor-boat) from the capital island of Male.
Multilingual resort representatives are on duty at flight
times and guests are greeted by
their respective guides. Transfer to the capital Male'
and the resorts are available by Dhoni, speedboat, helicopter
or
seaplane, depending on the distance between the airport
and the resort. Dhonis are always docked at the airport
jetty
and can be booked to Male' for a reasonable price. All
resorts have their own transport systems and resort representatives
will guide the guests to the appropriate vessel. |
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