Sri Lanka · EAST COAST TOURS
An island this dense eats a fortnight without trying. These 15 east coast tours are the ones that repay a whole day rather than half a morning, priced and timed so the choice takes minutes.
Review of the Pottuvil Lagoon Eco Tour in Arugam Bay, with crocodiles, elephants, birds, mangroves, tuk tuk transport, and practical tips.
“Rishi was a kind guide. The tour was beautifull and we saw a gigantic crocodile.”
Explore Pottuvil Lagoon by quiet paddle boat, spotting mangroves, birds, crocodiles and elephants from Arugam Bay.
“We had a very nice lagoon tour. It was peacefully and there where some elephants we saw. Shiham was a great and funny guide”
Review of Kumana National Park’s private six-hour safari from Arugam Bay, with wildlife tips, timing, value, comfort, and booking advice.
“Friendly guide who stopped the 4WD in a great place on the way to the park to watch the sunrise. Great start to the day. He also had a great eye for spotting wildlife / birds and was able to tell us some background on everything we saw. Everything from water buffalo, through wild pigs, lizards, crocodiles, elephants to mongeese. Even the very rare leopard - which sat next to the 4WD for an hour listening to us whispering. What a day. Thank you Rishi. if I can I'll be back.”
Explore Polonnaruwa with a private guide, ancient temples, royal ruins, Gal Vihara, rice and curry, and sunset by Parakrama Samudraya.
“Tharindu showed us around the incredible Polonnaruwa ruins and was an outstanding guide. His knowledge of the history and stories behind each site made the visit so much more special, and he was able to answer all of our questions Read more”
Review of Sail Lanka’s 21-hour Mirissa catamaran cruise, with whale watching, snorkeling, meals, overnight sailing, and practical booking advice.
“We were able to see 2 whales and many dolphins. But the experience itself, with the crystal clear water and the sunset was amazing itself. The chef cooked some of the best meals we had on our tour. Thank you to the very nice crew. The cabins are small and the toilett as well. Could have been a little more cleanlyness but was fine for beeing on a boat.”
Review the Pasikuda to Trincomalee whale and dolphin safari, with scenic transport, marine wildlife, practical tips, price advice, and FAQs.
“Our family joined the whale and dolphin safari from Pasikuda to Trincomalee and it was an unforgettable adventure. The transfer was very comfortable and well organized, making the journey stress-free. Out on the water, we saw dolphins racing alongside the boat, which was magical to watch. Then came the highlight seeing fin whales surfacing in the Indian Ocean! It was such a rare and breathtaking experience that we’ll remember forever. The guides were friendly, knowledgeable, and clearly cared about protecting the animals and the ocean. If you’re visiting Pasikuda or Kalkudah, this is absolutely the best activity to connect with nature and see Sri Lanka’s incredible marine life.”
Sail from Mirissa at sunrise for whale and dolphin watching, fresh meals, swimming, paddleboarding, and a relaxed day at sea.
“Amazing tour! Thank you guys for enjoyable day and professional arrangement! Our best recommendations! Excellent service, delicious food, safe trip and memorable experience! Thank you!!”
Review Maduru Oya National Park safari in Sri Lanka, with elephants, leopards, birds, private jeep transport, costs, tips, and practical advice.
“Nous avons adoré ce safari ! Nous avons pu rencontrer (de très près) de nombreux animaux et surtout des éléphants. Même si nos guides ne parlais pas Anglais, ils ont faits leur maximum pour nous donner des explications. C est un safari que je recommande car vous ne croiserez pas d autre Jeep !”
Review the Arugam Bay lagoon boat safari, with wildlife, safety rules, family details, pricing, itinerary, and practical booking advice.
Learn to surf in Arugam Bay with ISA-certified instructors, board rental, tuk tuk pickup, wave practice, and a king coconut for $30.
Review of Kumana National Park safari from Arugam Bay, with birds, elephants, leopards, hotel pickup, and practical booking tips.
“The tour was really well organised and we were picked up at our hotel at 6am. During the tour, the guides were able to bring us up close to monkeys, elephants, pelicans, water buffaloes and a variety of other really interesting animals! Would definitely do it again!”
Review of Wasgamuwa National Park’s $27 private safari, with elephant sightings, practical tips, value advice, timing, pickup details, and FAQs.
“They were super friendly and very accommodating when we had to reschedule on short notice. The driver was very professional and made us feel safe. They were very good at spotting all kinds of animals and could name them all. We had an amazing safari and saw lots and lots of Elephants. At one point we had a herd of 20 elephants all around us. They got incredibly close!”
Cook Sri Lankan dishes with a professional chef in Arugam Bay, enjoy beer and your meal, and learn how spices shape local cuisine.
Watch sunrise or sunset at Arugam Bay’s Elephant Rock, with hotel pickup, breakfast or BBQ dinner, beach time, and two beers.
Review of Kumana National Park’s private 4x4 safari from Arugam Bay, with wildlife, guide, refreshments, pricing, timing, and booking advice.
Every kind of day out on the island, and the best of each.
