The top 7 Adventure and Extreme sports in Sri Lanka

If you like adrenaline, adventures and extreme sports, Sri Lanka will make you fall in love

Even just thinking of extreme sports fills your heart with adrenaline? This is an indication that you are an adventure lover at heart! And when we talk about the best destination to pursue any type of extreme sports, there is no place that offers as much as Sri Lanka!

From water rafting to kitesurfing to rock climbing, there is a lot to love about Sri Lanka. Although Sri Lanka offers calm and relaxing beaches to tourists, it is also a favourite destination among thrill-seekers who love to partake in extreme sports for adventure. And today, we will look at the top 5 extreme sports that you can try out in Sri Lanka & get the adventure of your dreams!

The top 7 extreme sports in Sri Lanka

Although there are a lot of extreme sports/activities to try out in Sri Lanka, we will look at the top 5 extreme sports in Sri Lanka which make it so famous among adventure seekers:

1. Kitesurfing

Kitesurfing is an extreme water-based sport in which a rider uses a large kite to surf through the water. And since we are talking about the use of large power kites, one of the basic requirements to enjoy sports like kitesurfing is strong and powerful wind.
On the surface, it may sound simple that all you have to do is just surf through the water as the wind propels the large power kite. But this is an extreme sport that requires a lot of expertise and supervision!
Whether you are a pro kitesurfer or a beginner who just wants to try this out for the first time, then the best place in Sri Lanka for kitesurfing in Kalpitiya! Besides kitesurfing on the waters of Kalpitiya, there are also several schools from where you can learn to kitesurf!

And the best part is that you can easily find accommodations near the beach to enjoy not only kitesurfing but tons of other water sports!

Best Location: Kalpitiya (3 hr drive from Colombo)
Best Time: Season 1 (May-Oct) | Season 2 (Dec-Mar)

Learn now this adventure sport in Sri Lanka with Margarita´s Kite school team!

2. White Water Rafting

Since Sri Lanka is an Island, there are a lot of opportunities for extreme water-based sports! And the 2nd extreme sport on our list is White Water Rafting. In this adventure sport, an inflatable raft is to navigate through fast-flowing rivers and is a group activity. And the extremity of this sport depends on the speed and situation of the river/water body.
If you are a white water rafting enthusiast or want to try this extreme sport for the first time, then you will not find a better place than the Kitugala in Sri Lanka! This location is located on the Kelani river bank with grade three rapids (the highest level is 6) – This is ideal for both the beginner and the experienced rafters who want some adrenaline-filled water fun!
Best Location: Kitulgala (3-hour drive from Colombo)
Best Time: Apr-Nov

In our number 3 spot, we have included abseiling as one of the most authentic extreme sports in Sri Lanka. Did you know that there are waterfalls all over the country where it is possible to practice this amazing extreme sport? Yes, what you hear, this island is a green paradise with water falling from many everywhere, forming some of the most beautiful waterfalls in the world.
However, not all waterfalls are suitable for practicing abseiling, and without the company of an experienced guide it can go from being a risky sport to a deadly sport.
Kitulgala is a suitable place to practice this activity, since there are specialized companies that will guide you at all times.
Best location: Kitulgala
Best time: Apr – Nov

4. Surfing

Surfing is one of those extreme sports which doesn’t need an introduction. If you are a fan of surfing or want to try it out, then you should choose Sri Lanka as it is one of the top surfing destinations in the world!
Since Sri Lanka is an Island, you can surf the waves on any one of the Sri Lankan beaches. But if you want to try surfing in warm water, then the best option is Weligama beach. Some of the other popular beaches for surfing in Sri Lanka include the Unawatuna, Arugam Bay, and Hikkaduwa.
And even if you do not know how to do surfing, you can always learn surfing in Sri Lanka from a professional trainer!
Best Location: Weligama beach, Unawatuna and Hikkaduwa. (Best time: Nov-Apr)
Best location: arugam Bay (Best time: Apr – Sep)

Discover the best surfing spots in Sri Lanka!

5. Ziplining

If you are a thrill-seeker, then you can’t miss out on the ziplining opportunities available in Sri Lanka. One of the popular ziplining spots in Sri Lanka is located in the Ella, where you get to enjoy the view of beautiful hills while sliding at 80 km/h!
From beautiful mountains to breathtaking greenery, you will get a bird’s eye view of all of that while travelling at fast speed on a zip line! If you like adventure, you can´t miss this extreme sport!

Best Location: Uva Greenland Estate – Ella
Best Time: Nov-Mar

6. Water Skiing

Want the best waterskiing experience in a tropical atmosphere and warm water? Sri Lanka offers all of that along with its beautiful beaches, clear blue water, coral reefs, and much more! And you can easily find water ski camps all over Sri Lanka, which makes it really easy to enjoy these extreme sports. And if you want to learn water skiing, then that’s possible as well with tons of schools & professional trainers. Adventure is guaranteed!

As you race and challenge the ocean waves, there’s no doubt that you feel an adrenaline rush all over your body. And when we talk about the top extreme sports, you will find water skiing in the top 10!

Sri Lanka has two climate zones which means that you can enjoy water skiing all over the year. But the best part is that there are also tons of other water activities you can try besides water skiing, such as whale watching, scuba diving, snorkeling, and even enjoying the beautiful beaches to calm your mind.

Best Location: Hikkaduwa, Kumudu Valley, Bentota, and Negombo.
Best time: South West Coast (Oct-Apr) | North East Coast (Mar-Nov)

Climbing is a wonderful extreme sport, and Sri Lanka has many places to practice this awesome activity.

It is true that among the most famous extreme sports in Sri Lanka, climbing is in second place for the local population. However, if you plan to visit the country and want to practice rock climbing, you should know that here it is possible
We recommend you to contact one of the adventure companies to organize a day of climbing in any of the best places in the country.

The most famous climbing areas are in the mountain area, especially the Knuckles Range. However, throughout the country, there are rock formations that are very suitable for climbing too, such as Adam’s Peak or Sigiriya.

For those who love adventure and seek extreme sports, there is a lot to do and experience in Sri Lanka. Basically, you can enjoy all forms of water sports with tons of locations and spots spread all over the Island. Besides that, the situation of accommodation is also more than satisfactory, which means that you can focus on having fun rather than worrying about the little things!

And the best part is that you do not have to limit yourself to the 7 extreme sports mentioned above! There are many other extreme sports you can enjoy in Sri Lanka, such as mountain climbing, mountain cycling, deep-sea fishing, kayaking, jet-skiing, and so on.

Believe it or not, here you won´t get bored! Among all the activities mentioned above, kitesurfing and rafting are considered the best! The strong winds in Kalpitiya throughout the year make kitesurfing in Sri Lanka the most exciting sport and if you are looking for strong emotions, you can not miss rafting in Kitugala either. The strong currents of the river come down with incredible force and fun is guaranteed for the most adventurous. In addition, these extreme sports can be practised with the whole family. And worry about your little ones, because although they are considered risky sports, good security measures are always taken.

So if you are a true adventure seeker at heart and are looking for a great place, then Sri Lanka is waiting for you!