Hikkaduwa – Is yet another famous beach resort in the south coast of the Island. The beautiful Coral Reef in shallow water protected by a rock formation is an excellent place to view corals. Denizens of fantastically set in and beautiful corals and to find fish swimming among them attracts many for snorkelling and diving. Viewing of the corals can also be done from the comforts of a glass bottomed boat. A journey to Hikkaduwa is only 20 minutes on the highway.

Kataragama is a pilgrimage to sacred Buddhist, Hindu and indigenous Vedda people of Sri Lanka. People from South India also come here to worship. Here you get the Ruhunu Maha Kataragama devalaya, a shrine dedicated to Skanda-Murukan also known as Kataragamadevio. Although Kataragama was a small village in medieval times, today it is a fast-developing pilgrimage site surrounded by the jungle in the south-eastern region of Sri Lanka. It houses the ancient Kiri Vehera Buddhist stupa, where Lord Buddha has visited once. A trip to Kataragama is only a day’s excursion.

To the entrance of yet another world heritage site, the Sinharaja Forest will take you just 1 hr 45 minutes. To the exciting territory of the mighty wild elephants and the largest density of leopards in the world, Udawalawe and Yala, respectively is just a day’s excursion.

Interestingly, a world heritage site the Galle Dutch Fortress is just around the corner and visits to the deep down south ancient temples with its beautiful and colourful paintings and sculptures such as Vevarukannala and Veherahena is a matter of just 15 – 30 minutes.

It is a well known fact that Sri Lanka contains some of the best beaches in the world for surfing. In this context in the southern coast of Sri Lanka, Ahangama, Midigama and Welhengoda, in very close proximity to the Insight Resort are in the top listings for surfing in this beautiful island. Some call it a surfers paradise as it has very hard fall left break which surfers yearn for and enjoy.

Ahangama, Midigama and Welhengoda are significant spots due to the breaks that are listed amongst the information shared by surfers. The most interesting surfing point is found between Ahangama and Midigama and the place is called “Rock” as the peak is right in front of huge rock that juts out from the sea. The break there is supposed to be having a long left and a steep short right and the wave is supposed to be as much as 7 feet.

The Insight Resort offers very cost effective accommodation in non sea view air conditioned rooms for long stay surfers. The Resort also offers beautiful air conditioned sea view rooms.

Load your surf board on the top of a ‘tuk tuk’ and drive just 5 minutes –

• Northwards to Welhengoda
• Southwards to Midigama

There are many non profitable organizations supported by International Organizations that run sea turtle farms, purely maintained for the survival of sea turtles and to offer this to the next generation. There is a Turtle Farm situated in Habaraduwa which is a 10 minute drive in a tuk tuk from the Insight Resort towards Galle.  It is just by the Galle-Matara main road.  This Turtle Farm was started in 1986 and to date they are supposed to have released more than 500,000 sea turtles to the ocean.

It is also said on a full moon (Poya) day that many turtles can be found in the area of Midigama, and even on non full moon nights Tourists go to the Midigama area in the nights to spot turtles.  It is an interesting night excursion to join up with reliable locals to watch the turtle habitat in the Ahangama and Mirigama areas.

Mirissa is only 5 minutes away from the Insight Resort where one could board a vessel managed by a team of professionals and cruise into the deep sea to view the free movement of Whales.  Mirissa is famous for its frequent sightings of blue and sperm whales.  One would have to be absolutely unlucky to miss a sighting of whales in Mirissa.  It is also fun to be around the Dolphins jumping all over.  These friendly Dolphins are loved by  majority of the fisher folk who would not want to disturb them in any way.

Bundala National Park, 245 kilometers southeast of Colombo is the popular wintering ground for migrating birds. There are around 200 species of birds within the 62square kilometer area. Birds from Siberia and India fly to spend the winter here between August and April. The greater Flamingo which migrates in large flocks has a record of about 2000 arriving at one time. The favorite spot of birdwatchers also has some elephants, giant squirrels and plenty of crocodiles. Bundala Park was the first wetland to be declared as a Ramsar site in Sri Lanka and a biosphere reserve by UNESCO.

The history of this temple dates back to Anuradhapura era and this area is renowned for the legendary accounts of Princess Viharamaha Devi, to whom the temple is dedicated. This is an ancient temple built on a huge rock facing to the sea. To reach the top visitors must climb up few steps and the view on the top is amazing as the temple provides picturesque views of the sand dunes, the Kirinda fishing harbor and the Indian Ocean.

Lunugamwehera is one of the islands’s newly opened national parks and it is a famed natural corridor for elephants migrating from Yala National park to Udawalawa. Lunugamwehera National Park was opened to public on 1^st of February 2005. The Lunugamvehera Reservoir within the park covers 3,283 ha. This can be recognized as one of the unexposed parks because of the famous Yala and Udawalawa National parks although it is rich in biodiversity. The park is a habitat for many wild elephants and wild buffaloes. In addition, other species of animals such as Fishing Cat, Grey Mongoose, Bear, Wild Boar, Spotted Deer and Mouse Deer are found here.

Ussangoda National park is situated in Ambalantota, Hambantota District. This park is bordering the Kalametiya wildlife sanctuary and the Indian Ocean. Due to the specialty of Ussangoda soil structure, this 20 arches land consists dark red soil, small rocks, short grass and bushes. Visitors will get this great opportunity to see the various type of colorful fish in the sea and the sea erosion gradually happening by the park. The park is an important breeding site for sea turtles and is one of the four serpentines sites in Sri Lanka.

Udawalawa Elephant Transit Home is just twenty minutes away from the Udawalawa National Park. In here orphaned and sick elephants are fed and cared for until they are independent and fit enough to return to the jungle. You can visit the center during the feeding hours of 06:00, 09:00, 12:00, 15:00 and 18:00. Visitors can quietly observe dozens of baby elephants drink milk and wander around the watering hole, which would definitely be a heart melting scenery for anyone.

The beautiful hill country village surrounded by mountains, tea plantations and greenery everywhere you go. Ella is the best place to relax and wind down and enjoy the breath-taking scenery. The Ella Gap offers a stunning view and on a clear night you can see the subtle glow of the Great Basses light house in the southern coast of Sri Lanka. The Ravana Ella Falls is another spectacular sight in Ella, the perfect place for a quick dip in the cool waters. Ella’s Rock offers a breath-taking view of the countryside, the walk up to the rock itself is beautiful, passing through rail tracks and tea plantations.

Dondra Head Light house is the tallest lighthouse in Sri Lanka  operated and maintained by Sri Lanka ports authority. It is located in Dondra head also known as Devundara thuduwa, the Southernmost point of Sri Lanka. The view is great so once you have visited all spots around mirissa beach this would be the next ideal to visit!

The Martin Wickramasinghe Folk Museum is located the Koggala Free Trade Zone, not far from the coastal city of Galle. Once the home of he famous Sri Lankan Writer and Poet Martin Wickramasinghe, it is now a place filled with his memories and remnants. This interesting museum includes the house where respected Sinhalese author Martin Wickramasinghe (1890–1976) was born (the traditional southern structure dates back 200 years and has some Dutch architectural influences). Exhibits are well displayed, with information in English, with a good section on dance (including costumes and instruments), puppets, kolam (masked dance-drama) masks (including one of a very sunburnt British officer), carriages and Buddhist artefacts.