Follow our travels on Instagram
Explore our family’s journey through Sri Lanka, featuring dolphin watching, surfing lessons, and essential travel advice for parents.
Sri Lanka might be small, but it packs an unbelievable punch — and honestly, it’s easily one of the best places we’ve ever visited. If you’re thinking about taking kids, do it! It’s such a brilliant family destination.
We spent a month there in November/December. Since it was our first trip (with many more to come, I’m sure!), we decided to follow the classic tourist trail… mostly. We skipped a few of the usual stops — like Yala National Park — and threw in a few adventures of our own, like dolphin watching in Kalpitiya (highly recommend!).
It was one of those trips that sticks with you — colourful, exciting, full of moments that we still talk about all the time. So here is an overview of what we think are Sri Lankan highlights and key things to consider when visiting.
Top Wildlife Experiences in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka feels like one vast, open-air wildlife sanctuary—everywhere you turn, there’s a new opportunity to experience nature up close. During our trip, we went dolphin spotting, whale watching, and even ventured out on two unforgettable safaris.
One of the absolute highlights was watching spinner dolphins off the coast of Kalpitiya. The water was calm, the boats were few, and it felt like we had the ocean to ourselves. We were surrounded by hundreds of these playful dolphins—it was magical, and best of all, it didn’t feel intrusive or rushed. We arranged this through the hotel we were staying at and had the boat completely to ourselves.
We visited two national parks during our trip: Wilpattu and Minneriya. In Wilpattu, we were fortunate to spot a sloth bear, a leopard, and several elephants. However, the full-day safari proved to be quite long, and we decided we’d probably opt for shorter safaris in the future. At Minneriya, we took an evening safari from Sigiriya and were amazed to see hundreds of elephants. The experience was peaceful, quiet, and truly beautiful — we had the rare privilege of watching the elephants with no one else around. Later, I read that this wasn’t even the peak season for elephant sightings in Minneriya, which made us feel even luckier to witness so many in such a serene setting.
While in Mirissa, we went on a whale watching tour and were thrilled to spot a blue whale — the largest animal on the planet. Sri Lanka is considered one of the top destinations in the world for blue whale watching, especially off the southern coast near Mirissa, where sightings are common during the season.
Surfing Lessons for Kids: What to Expect
This was an absolute highlight for our kids, who had surfing lessons every day for two weeks—and loved every minute of it. The sea is warm, the conditions are generally safe, and the lessons are surprisingly affordable. We simply walked down to the beach and found local surf huts offering sessions, which worked perfectly in both Hiriketiya and Weligama.
That said, sea conditions can vary with the seasons, so it’s worth considering the time of year, especially if you’re travelling with younger children (ours were 8 and 10). Out of season, the waves can be rougher, making it less suitable for kids.
Be aware of the weather
During the UK summer months, the west and south of Sri Lanka—popular tourist destinations—experience their monsoon season. When we visited in November and December, we did encounter some rain, but also enjoyed stretches of beautiful weather in these regions. In contrast, the north and east typically have better weather during the UK summer. It’s something to keep in mind if you’re planning a beach holiday, as the weather and sea conditions can affect your experience during these seasonal shifts.
Navigating Sri Lanka Without a Private Driver
I often see hundreds of posts asking whether it’s necessary to hire a driver when travelling around Sri Lanka. From our experience, we chose not to—and I genuinely don’t think it’s essential, or even the best way to explore the country. While many travellers were arriving at hotels in air-conditioned cars, driven from one destination to the next, we felt that approach missed one of the most rewarding aspects of travel: real connection with the place and how it functions. Of course, many people go with this option for ease but if you’re wondering if you need it, you don’t.
We did use taxis arranged through hotels when there were no other options, but wherever possible, we opted for tuk-tuks, trains, and buses. We always try to use public transport when we travel, as it offers a glimpse into everyday life that you simply don’t get from behind tinted windows. Booking tickets was usually straightforward— for the buses we just turned up and for the trains, most of the time we just turned up at the station, but for busier routes, we booked in advance here.
Sri Lanka offered our family a memorable blend of adventure, culture, and relaxation. From spotting dolphins in Kalpitiya to daily surf lessons along the southern coast, each stop brought something new without feeling rushed. Travelling without a private driver gave us the flexibility to explore at our own pace and connect more closely with local life. With its varied landscapes, welcoming communities, and family-friendly experiences, Sri Lanka proved to be an exciting yet accessible destination – one we’d happily recommend to other families looking for something a little different.
Kitchen Family Travels 