Beach & Coastal
West Coast To East Coast Hop
An 11-day west-to-east coast tour of Sri Lanka, from Kalpitiya's dolphins and Wilpattu's wildlife to Trincomalee and Arugam Bay, finishing on the south-west coast.
Overview
About this tour
This 11-day coast-to-coast Sri Lanka tour starts among the dolphins and reefs of Kalpitiya on the west coast, threads through Wilpattu National Park and the ancient city of Anuradapura, then crosses to Trincomalee and the surf town of Arugam Bay in the east, before finishing back on the south-west coast. It is built for travellers who want to see both sides of the island in one trip.
Tour highlights
- Dolphin and whale watching at Kalpitiya
- Half-day safari inside Wilpattu National Park
- Anuradapura's ancient dagobas and ruins
- Snorkeling at Pigeon Island National Park
- Surfing at Arugam Bay
- South-west coast beach finish
Day by day
Your itinerary
- Day01
Airport / Kalpitiya
Greeted by our representative at Colombo Airport and depart for Kalpitiya. Overnight stay at Kalpitiya.
Kalpitiya - Day02
Kalpitiya
Snorkeling & Diving: Bar Reef, about 30 minutes offshore, is the largest living coral reef in Sri Lanka and a superb snorkeling spot with vibrant marine species. Whale & Dolphin Watching: season runs November-March, with pods of spinner dolphins a common sight alongside sperm and blue whales. Overnight stay at Kalpitiya.
KalpitiyaDolphin WatchingSnorkeling - Day03
Kalpitiya / Wilpattu / Anuradapura
After breakfast depart for Anuradapura, with a Half Day Game Safari at Wilpattu National Park en route. Wilpattu National Park: Sri Lanka's largest national park at 1,085 sq km, home to an estimated 50 elephants, 50 leopards, spotted deer, sloth bear, wild hog and crocodiles. Anuradapura Historical Site: the island's ruling capital for 1,000 years, with giant dagobas, lofty pillars, ancient rock pools and museums; allow about 2.5 hours. Overnight stay at Anuradapura.
KalpitiyaWilpattuAnuradapuraHalf-Day Game Safari - Day04
Anuradapura / Trincomalee
After breakfast depart for Trincomalee. Kandasamy Kovil: perched atop a rock, consecrated to Shiva, one of the island's Pancha Ishwaram sites; prayer ceremonies at 06.30, 11.30 and 16.30. Fort Frederick: built by the Portuguese in the 16th century, later modified under Dutch and British rule, with canons, artillery and royal insignia. Overnight stay at Trincomalee.
AnuradapuraTrincomaleeTemple VisitFort ExplorationKandasamy Kovil - Day05
Trincomalee / Nilaveli
Leisure time on Trinco beach with optional activities. Kanniya Hot Water Wells: legend ties their origin to King Ravana striking the earth with his sword; nearby ruins hint at an ancient Buddhist temple complex. Pigeon Island National Park: 1km offshore from Nilaveli, with natural rock pools, forest tracks and snorkeling among reef, coral, reef fish and turtles. Overnight stay at Trincomalee.
TrincomaleeNilaveliSnorkelingHot Water WellsPigeon Island National Park - Day06
Trincomalee / Arugam Bay
After breakfast depart for Arugam Bay. Pasikuda Beach: powdery white sand and shallow, clear water extending hundreds of metres offshore, among the safest beaches on the island. Overnight stay at Arugam Bay.
TrincomaleeArugam BayPasikuda Beach - Day07
Arugam Bay
Surfing: a surfers' paradise from April to October, with a natural rock formation running parallel to the shore. Overnight stay at Arugam Bay.
Arugam BaySurfing - Day08
Arugam Bay / Ahungalla
After breakfast depart for Ahungalla, a longer transfer day. Overnight stay at Ahungalla.
Arugam BayAhungalla - Day09
Ahungalla
Breakfast, then visits to nearby attractions. Ambalangoda Mask Museum: traditional hand-carved masks tracing centuries of craft and cultural significance. Island Hopping on the Madu River: a lagoon of hundreds of islets in southwest Balapitiya, with an old Buddhist monastery and local cinnamon cultivation and prawn fishing (about 2 hours). Moonstone Mines: near Ambalangoda in Meetiyagoda, the country's only concentrated moonstone deposit, with narrow mining shafts open to visitors. Overnight stay at Ahungalla.
AhungallaMoonstone Mine VisitMask Museum VisitMadu River Island HoppingAmbalangoda Mask Museum - Day10
Ahungalla / Negombo
Breakfast then depart for Negombo. Turtle Hatchery: begun in 1988, incubating purchased turtle eggs for roughly 50 days before releasing hatchlings to the sea at night; survival to adulthood is roughly 1 in 1,000. Negombo: a small fishing town near the airport, known for traditional catamarans, a Dutch-era fort and canal from the late 16th century. Overnight stay at Negombo.
AhungallaNegomboTurtle Hatchery VisitTraditional Catamaran FishingFort Exploration - Day11
Negombo / Airport
Depart to Colombo Airport with delightful memories.
Negombo
Good to know
What’s included
Included
- Private air-conditioned vehicle for the full itinerary
- English-speaking chauffeur guide
- Fuel, parking and highway toll charges
- Driver accommodation and meals
- Daily breakfast at listed hotels
- Airport pick-up and drop-off
Not included
- International flights and visa fees
- Entrance tickets to sites and national parks
- Lunches and dinners unless noted
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Travel insurance
- Optional activities such as surfing lessons or snorkeling gear
Questions
About this tour
What is the best season for this coast-to-coast route?
November to March is best for Kalpitiya's dolphin and whale watching, while April to October suits the Arugam Bay surf leg, so the route is typically timed around one of these windows.
Is dolphin watching guaranteed at Kalpitiya?
Sightings are frequent but not guaranteed, as this is a wildlife encounter in open water; spinner dolphin pods are seen on the large majority of trips in season.
How long is the transfer between the west and east coasts?
The Anuradapura-to-Trincomalee leg is the longest driving day on this route, broken up with stops along the way.
Is accommodation beachfront throughout?
Most nights are at beachfront or near-beach properties in Kalpitiya, Trincomalee, Nilaveli and Arugam Bay, with inland stays at Anuradapura.
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Ready to make this trip yours?
We will adjust the route, hotels and pace to suit you. No obligation.
