Wildlife & Nature

For an island its size, Sri Lanka has an extraordinary concentration of wildlife — leopards, elephants, blue whales, sea turtles and hundreds of bird species, all within national parks and coastal waters that are remarkably accessible. For honeymoon couples, a safari or whale-watching excursion adds a genuinely thrilling dimension to a trip that might otherwise be all beaches and temples.

Yala National Park on the southeast coast has the highest density of leopards anywhere in the world, and a dawn jeep safari through its scrubland, lagoons and rocky outcrops is one of Sri Lanka's most unforgettable experiences. The park is also home to elephants, sloth bears, crocodiles and a dazzling variety of birdlife.

Further inland, Udawalawe National Park is the best place in Sri Lanka to see wild elephants — herds of 50 or more gather around the reservoir, and sightings are almost guaranteed. The nearby elephant transit home, which rehabilitates orphaned calves for release back into the wild, offers a more intimate encounter.

On the northeast coast, Trincomalee combines beautiful beaches with some of the best whale and dolphin watching in the Indian Ocean. Blue whales and sperm whales pass close to shore between May and October, and the nearby Pigeon Island is excellent for snorkelling. For couples seeking something completely different, Arugam Bay on the east coast is Sri Lanka's surf capital — a laid-back, end-of-the-road town with consistent waves, lagoon safaris and a wild, unspoilt coastline that feels a world away from the more developed south.