Waikkal between the beach and waterways

Waikkal lies at the southern end of a longer stretch of coastline: the coastal beaches of the North Western Province extend from here to Dutch Bay in Puttalam District. Here, the beach and waterways offer different ways to spend time by the water. When planning, consider whether you would prefer to stay at the beach, swim and paddle, or include a guided boat tour.

Beach and calm water

Stone breakwaters protect Waikkal beach. The water is calm on their sheltered side, making it suitable for swimming and paddling. The sheltered side is the side of the breakwaters away from the wind; it is this protected location that makes the beach appealing for water activities. You can divide your day between spending time on the shore and swimming or paddling.

When choosing your holiday rental, it may help to first decide what you want to focus on during your trip: should the beach shape your daily plans, or would you also like to explore the area’s waterways? Waikkal’s coastal location and the activities mentioned here give you a concrete starting point, without requiring you to plan a fixed schedule for every day of your holiday.

Boat tours on the waterways

In the area around Waikkal, local fishing families offer guided boat tours on the waterways for a fee. Many canals are inaccessible from land. A tour therefore offers a different perspective on the waterscape than spending time at the beach. If you plan to take a tour, check locally whether one is available when you visit.

Early morning and late afternoon are considered good times for boat tours to observe wildlife. This is a useful guide if you would like to structure your day: you can plan the tour for one of these times and spend the rest of your visit differently. This does not imply that you will see any particular species or guarantee sightings.

Gardens, mountains and village culture in Central Province

The broader destination of Central Province offers different attractions from the beach and waterways. The Royal Botanic Gardens Peradeniya are located in Central Province and were established in 1821. Their collection comprises more than 4,000 plant species, including orchids, spices and medicinal plants, as well as palms. The Orchid House displays exotic flowers of Cattleya, Dendrobium, Arachnis, Oncidium, Phalaenopsis and Vanda, as well as their hybrids. Garden and plant enthusiasts will find a distinct area of interest here, clearly different from the water activities in Waikkal.

Meemure is also in Central Province: the traditional village lies on the border between Kandy District and Matale District and is surrounded by the Knuckles mountain range. Activities mentioned there include birdwatching, cycling, mountaineering, hiking, photography and safaris. Traditional hospitality and domestic crafts are also part of village life: mats are woven from rushes, and products are also made from cane or rattan.

The Knuckles Mountain Range lies in the districts of Matale and Kandy and forms part of the Central Highlands World Heritage Site. Central Province thus offers an additional focus on mountain scenery and nature. When weighing up these different travel experiences, you can first decide whether the coast, with its beach and waterways, or Central Province’s gardens, mountains and village culture better suit your travel plans. This decision can help you focus your holiday rental search on the main purpose of your stay.

Discover more destinations: Bandara Koswatta, Kudawa, Kuliyapitiya, Kobeigane, Dankotuwa, Diyature, Etalai, Galgamuwa.

Back to the broader travel guide: North Western Province.