Sri Lanka Has Been Waiting to Show You This Side

The whale watching cruise departs from Mirissa at 6:00 AM and heads out into open Indian Ocean water where blue whales, sperm whales, and dolphins move freely through the sea. Seven species of whale and two species of dolphin have been spotted on these waters, with the best season running from November to April. Mirissa is 63 kilometers from Haritha, and the early morning drive and boat ride are completely worth the effort.

Sinharaja is the last remaining primary tropical rainforest in Sri Lanka and carries UNESCO World Heritage status for good reason. Giant squirrels, toque macaques, rare birds, and plant life that exists nowhere else in the country fill the forest, and the trekking trails are open throughout the year. The rainforest is 115 kilometers from Haritha, and comfortable footwear is the only thing you need to bring along for the trail.

The Jungle Spa at Haritha is set in a tropical environment where the jungle breeze and the sound of the lake water become part of the treatment itself. Everything used in the spa is 100 percent natural and locally sourced, covering herbal baths, body treatments, manicures, pedicures, and personalized Ayurvedic consultations with a resident doctor on-site. It is a restorative experience that feels completely connected to the natural landscape around it.

The Yoga Pavilion at Haritha overlooks the lake and offers a calm and beautiful setting for daily practice, open to guests of all experience levels. A visit to the local monastery nearby adds a meaningful spiritual dimension to the stay for anyone interested in meditation. A fully equipped 24-hour gym is also available on-site for guests who want to stay active in a different way throughout the stay.

The southern coast has surf breaks that work well for all levels, from complete beginners to surfers looking for something more challenging. Certified coaching is available just 3 kilometers away in Hikkaduwa, with January to April being the most reliable season for good waves. Appropriate swimwear is all that is required to get out on the water.

Tucked into the jungle of Mitiyagoda 13 kilometers from the property, the ancient moonstone mine is one of Sri Lanka's most unexpected and genuinely interesting stops. The visit takes you through the full process from mining to polishing, and the workshop and retail outlet on-site give you the chance to see and take home the finished stones. Opening hours are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM daily.

The Madu River boat safari moves through 61 hectares of mangrove waterways with stops at Kothduwa Temple, Cinnamon Island, and a floating fish farm that also operates as a spa. The river is alive with birds, reptiles, and tropical plant life, and the pace of the cruise gives you plenty of time to look around properly. The river is 30 kilometers from Haritha, with departures at 9:30 AM and 4:00 PM.

Seven kilometers from Haritha, the sea turtle hatchery works to protect and rehabilitate five turtle species that nest along the southern shoreline, including the Leatherback, Loggerhead, Olive Ridley, Green Turtle, and Hawksbill. Visiting gives you a real and close look at the conservation effort going into keeping these animals alive and well on the island. The hatchery welcomes visitors daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

At Talpe Beach, 27 kilometers from the property, traditional stilt fishermen stand balanced on wooden poles above the surf and wait for their catch with the kind of patience that is genuinely impressive to watch. Sunrise and sunset bring out the best in the scene, and the light over the water at those hours makes the whole experience feel very cinematic. May to September is the ideal season to visit.