SRI LANKA


I


’ve been transported into another world, full of dazzling coral reefs and exotic marine life. Within seconds of popping on my snorkel gear and diving into the perfect azure waters of the Indian Ocean, I’m surrounded by fish of all varieties, nonchalantly darting past me in all directions. t’s like ’ve interrupted filing on the set of a new Finding Nemo ick. Black tip reef sharks glide past while lion’s ane ellyfish bob along. Soon my guide, Kelum, tugs at my


arm and points. I turn and freeze as I watch a hawksbill turtle casually pass, inches away from me, making its way to the surface for a gulp of air. His head bobs out of the water, but he’s soon submerged once again. While the turtle is a vision of serenity, I’m frantically clambering around trying to position my underwater camera for the ‘perfect shot’. I succeed, just before he disappears off out of sight.


Life on land might offer plenty of amazing adventures, but it’s under the sea where the real magic happens. I can’t quite believe my luck, but these encounters are in fact very common in Sri Lanka, one of the reasons why the area is often referred to as the ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean’. My snorkelling experience occurred


off the coast of Pigeon Island, just north from Trincomalee. One of Sri Lanka’s two marine national parks, Pigeon Island is fast becoming one of the best snorkelling and scuba diving spots in the world. The island’s name derives from


the rock pigeon that has colonised it – but it’s not the land animals you come to see, here it’s all about what resides in the ocean.


Pigeon Island isn’t the only place to see marine life in Sri Lanka; the waters surrounding this beautiful country are teeming with activity. Hours before my snorkelling expedition we’d jetted off in a speedboat in search of dolphins. After a very wet ride, at least 20 spinner dolphins came out to play, and show off with a display of ups, ips and, of course, spins, much to our delight. This part of the Indian Ocean is also home to blue whales and sperm whales. Uga Escapes property Jungle Beach was my home during my short foray in Trincomalee, and it was the perfect location for heading out onto the ocean.


Under the sea


If scuba diving takes your fancy, Sri Lanka offers some exceptional wreck dives. It’s a land of history and diversity, and the ocean around Sri Lanka is no exception with a good part of the country’s heritage lying scattered on the seabed. The country was a key trade and shipping port on the ancient silk route from China to Europe, and there are many shipwrecks in its coastal waters for divers to marvel at. With dives no more than 30 metres deep in Trincomalee, it’s the perfect option for first-tiers, like e.  was terrified at the prospect of y first dive, and  actually began to feel sorry for my instructor, Sujith. I struggled to adapt in the practice pool, so


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PREVIOUS PAGE: Aerial shot of Sri Lanka OPPOSITE, FROM LEFT: FIRST ROW: Pigeon Island; hawksbill turtle SECOND ROW: spinner dolphin; Emma Winton at Uga Jungle Beach; Koneswaram Temple THIRD ROW: Uga Jungle Beach FOURTH ROW: Uga Jungle Beach cluster cabins and private pool; Uga Jungle Beach seafood dish Credits: Shutterstock; Robin Nougier; Oliver Sjostrom


78 ASPIRE FEBRUARY 2019 aspiretravelclub.co.uk


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