Things to do
Apart from the surfing and yoga at Lion's rest there are a whole of range of activities, day trips and local sights to take in during your stay with us and we are more than happy to organise these for you. Our local tour guide, Lucky, can help you plan your excursions. Also, should you be heading inland to the hill country and you need a driver, we can find you a good one. So many places to mention! Listed below are some of the highlights.
Diving & Snorkeling
We are affiliated with two PADI certified dive schools nearby one in Weligama and also one in Unawatuna which we can introduce you to, when conditions are good usually during the season November through to April there is some great diving to be had. Also at Lion's Rest with have snorkeling equipment for rental and there are some fantastic places nearby to explore.
Whale-Watching
Book your whale watching trip with Lion's Rest, the boat we are affiliated with is one of the longest running and most experienced available. From nearby Mirissa Harbour the boat departs at 6.30 am and the sightings of blue whales, sperm whales and dolphins, amongst others, are a common occurrence. This is an all-year-round possibility but with a calmer ocean November through to April, this is the best time to go.
Visit a Temple
The Buddhist culture in Sri Lanka is something to embrace and there is no better way than to visit a temple. The Weligama area has some stunning examples, and a visit to our local temple in Gurubebila especially on one of the Poya days (Full Moon) is a treat and a great way to immerse yourself in the local culture .
Safari Parks
Udawalawe and Yala National Parks are both possible as day trips with an early start. It’s a 2 hour drive to the parks where you then take a 4 x 4 jeep and get to see Sri Lanka’s wildlife in it’s natural habitat: many elephants, monkeys, buffalo, deer, crocodiles and, if you're lucky, Sri Lanka’s famous leopards.
Galle Fort
A great half-day trip is to take in the Old Colonial Dutch Fort in the city of Galle. With it’s array of boutiques and restaurants and old colonial cafes it really is a step back in time.
Turtle Hatchery
Tea Plantation
Another half-day trip is the Handunugoda Tea Estate, just 30 minutes drive inland. It is a real treat as you're taken through the whole process from the cultivation of the tea, picking and watching 100-year-old machines still doing their job drying and sorting the leaves. And of course you get a chance to try it before you buy. There are many types to choose from including the famous Ceylon White Tea.
There is a chance to visit a nearby turtle hatchery where, when the eggs are hatched, they are held in big open tanks by the beach to allow the babies to gain enough strength for a better chance of survival. For a small fee you can release some of the babies into the ocean yourself.