Sri Lanka’s west coast covers the coastal belt just south of Colombo all the way down to Hikkaduwa.  Popular with holidaymakers due to its closer proximity to the island’s main airport, the west coast offers beautiful sandy beaches, mangrove-lined lagoons and a wide choice of luxurious hotels and private villas.

Some of the area has been spoiled by the 1970’s development of large scale “package resort” hotels and as a general rule we recommend the beaches of Bentota (especially the southern end), Induruwa, Kosgoda, Balapitiya and Ahungalle as being the best. Wadduwa and Kalutara are suitable for those wanting to be close to the airport. Beruwela is, on the whole, overrun with all-inclusive package hotels best avoided.

The beaches of the west coast are at their very best from December to April. During this period the sea is generally calm, safe for swimming and turquoise blue in colour. During the off-season from May to November beware that the sea can be choppy and brown-coloured after heavy rain due to the silt discharged by several large rivers. The beaches tend to be long and wide.

The main towns along the coast – Kalutara, Beruwela, Bentota, Ambalangoda and Hikkaduwa – all share a vibrant cultural heritage including folklore, music and dance as well as architectural influences from the Dutch period.  Many temples, kovils, churches and mosques are situated along the coast.  Cottage industries such as basket-weaving, mask-carving and antique restoration provide for interesting shopping.

Bentota and Hikkaduwa, two of the coast’s most popular resort towns, are popular for watersports including scuba diving, snorkeling and windsurfing.  Bentota’s lagoon is ideal for jet skiing, water skiing, banana-boating, sailing and boat trips along the river. Luxurious Sri Lanka is able to advise you about the best watersport operators so you and the family can enjoy an action-packed afternoon.

Other adventure activities can also be arranged, especially around Kalutara and Bentota. These include a variety of fun cycling trips inland through spice, fruit and rubber plantations. These are available for serious mountain bikers as well as families just wanting a leisurely afternoon ride. Kayaking is also possible, including some guided trips along the Kalu Ganga in Kalutara. Day trips to Sinharaja rainforest can be organized.

The west coast is home to many architectural marvels designed by Sri Lanka’s iconic architecture, Geoffrey Bawa.  Of these, the most important is Lunuganga, a garden retreat that was originally an old rubber plantation that Bawa transformed into a haven of peace – a lifelong project cherished by Bawa and designed with numerous varieties of foliage, pavilions, sculptures and statues.   His other creations along the west coast include Blue waters, Heritance and the Lighthouse hotel.  The Bawa Brief Gardens in Bentota, a fascinating landscaped garden created by Geoffrey’s brother, Bevis, is also well-worth a visit.

• Lunuganga - Lunuganga is a garden retreat that was originally an old rubber plantation that Geoffrey Bawa, Sri Lanka’s most famous architect, transformed into a haven of peace.  A visit to Lunuganga lets you experience Bawa’s personal space, a retreat that inspired him and was closest to his heart.  The Lunuganga gardens were a life long project cherished by Bawa and designed with numerous varieties of foliage, pavilions, and statues.
  
• Brief Gardens - Ten kilometres inland from Bentota beach are Brief Gardens, the rural retreat of Bevis Bawa, the older brother renowned architect Geoffrey Bawa. Not only beautiful, the 2 hectare gardens are steeped in a history of luminary guests including notables like Lawrence Olivier, Vivian Leigh and Donald Friend. Well worth a visit.
  
• Bentota Watersports - The calm waters of Bentota Lagoon provide for a perfect location for a variety of watersports, including waterskiing, jet-skiing, wake-boarding, banana-boating, kayaking, wind-surfing and sailing. A variety of operators are available and the prics are extremely reasonable providing for a fun afternoon for the family.
  
• Deep-Sea Fishing - Sri Lanka’s relatively unspoiled seas hold an abundance of game fish. Species of Marlin, Sail Fish, Wahoo, Spanish mackerel, Giant Trevallie, Benito, Queen Fish (the world record is held in Sri Lanka), Barracuda, Grouper, Cobia and Tuna make this tropical paradise superb deep sea fishing territory. Deep sea angling is the most popular form of recreational and sport fishing in Sri Lanka. There are a wide variety of locations off the south and west coast resorts.
  
• Canoe Trip on the Kalu Ganga - The Kalu Ganga (river) begins its journey to the sea on the western slopes of Adams Peak, Sri Lanka's holy mountain. The divine waters flow slowly west, its banks lined with jungle, rubber plantations and communities using the river in their daily lives. Exploring the lily covered backwaters by canoe, a haven for birdlife, with both Black and Cinnamon Bitterns often seen scrambling for cover as you paddle through the mangroves, is one of the most magical experiences Sri Lanka has to offer.
  
• Personal Yoga Instruction - There are a growing number of guesthouses, hotels and retreats offering Yoga now in Sri Lanka. However, some of our clients prefer private tuition and we are happy to organise this. The easiest area to do this is around Galle but private yoga teachers can also be employed in Bentota and Tangalle. Red Dot does not charge for this service and you would need to pay your Yoga teacher direct.
  
• Sinharaja Rainforest - Moist and muggy, murky and mysterious – an experience of Sinharaja is like nothing else in Sri Lanka. Trekking through this magnificent jungle, the last surviving stretch of virgin rainforest on the island, be ready to pour with sweat as they make their way through a bewildering land of exotic colours and wonderful sounds. From top to bottom the forest is teeming with life whether it be gushing waterfalls, gurgling streams, ants marching, leaves rustling, leeches waiting (you’ve been warned!), crickets creaking or butterflies fluttering by. Exploring Sinharaja is one of Sri Lanka’s true rewards.
  
• Kosgoda Marine Turtle Conservation Project - Globally, all seven species of marine turtles existing are endangered.  Out of these seven, five species of sea turtles come ashore to nest in Sri Lanka.  The process of marine turtles nesting, hatchlings being born, and swimming back to sea is an ancient and phenomenal ritual that is fascinating to observe.  Located in the fishing village of Kosgoda, a Turtle Conservation Project conducts a `turtle watch’ programme which is an ideal way to learn and observe this endangered species without interfering with its natural breeding habits.