Separated from India by a few nautical miles along the narrow Palk Straits and located north of the east-west international shipping corridor in the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is an amazing destination and is now welcoming back international yachting visitors.
The intriguing culture and stunning natural coastal beauty of Sri Lanka provide a cleaner, less expensive and much less crowded cruising destination than the Med and Caribbean. Despite the influence of invaders, the country has managed to retain its unique culture, language (Sinhala), proud history and gracious hospitality. Wherever you may go, you will always be met with smiles and the greeting “Ayubowan”, which translates as “May you live longer”.
Sri Lanka has a rich history. Primarily a Buddhist country, it was invaded for its natural resources such as spices, gems, elephants, natural harbours and, latterly, for its strategic location in the Indian Ocean. When the British colonial government constructed breakwaters in the Colombo Harbour in the late 19th century, much international marine traffic shifted to Colombo from Galle.
Thereafter, Galle became a secondary port of the country. A natural harbour located on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka, Galle Port serves as one of the most active regional ports in the country and is also the only Sri Lankan port that provides facilities for pleasure yachts. International yacht societies have long recognised Galle harbour as one of the world’s best attractions for yachting.
Galle Port is also the only Sri Lankan port that provides facilities for pleasure yachts.
At the dawn of the New Year, tens of thousands of Sri Lankans gathered at Galle Face and the new Port City to celebrate the dawning of 2023 at the very same location made infamous by the initial protests. More than a jubilant shout-out to the world, it emphasised an opportunity for a new beginning—a fresh start.
The Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) recently announced the country can become a ‘maritime hub in the region’ as it is strategically located where the busy East-West shipping route passes just 6 to 10 nautical miles south of the island, with more than 70,000 ships plying this route annually.
Of interest to international yachts, Sri Lankan Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation, Nimal Siripala de Silva, has said that apart from the Colombo harbour investments to terminals (fully owned subsidiaries of the state-owned Sri Lanka Ports Authority), they expect to develop the Trincomalee harbour for bulk cargo operations. The Galle harbour will be developed for the tourism industry with a yacht service and will facilitate the anchoring of large ships. He noted, “Sri Lanka expects to become a logistics and transport hub in the Indian Ocean”.
“…berthing facilities to passenger vessels of 300m in length and cargo vessels of 200m in length…”
The proposed development to be carried out by the SPLA is expected to provide a state-of-the-art yacht marina to attract more vessels. SLPA says it expects to provide berthing facilities to passenger vessels of 300m in length and cargo vessels of 200m in length, with a depth of 10m and 10.9m, respectively by constructing breakwaters to cover the effects of waves in the Galle Bay area.
The Government, yachting community and industry all agree that Sri Lanka has tremendous potential to realise its vision of becoming a Maritime Hub in the region. “There is a focus on opening up to cruising tourism. The many regulations concerning tender boat operations and lack of anchorages for superyachts has held back significant superyacht cruising, which now actually adds to its attraction as a stunning adventure cruising destination with our borders open to arriving yachts”, states Priyantha Perera, heading up Asia Pacific Superyachts (APS) in Sri Lanka. For those contemplating a cruising voyage around Sri Lanka, all pandemic-related restrictions for entering Sri Lanka have been removed.
The Asia-Pacific Superyachts Sri Lanka team can advise on moorings and restrictions at Galle, as space is limited. Perera reports, “There are important procedures for Captains to be made aware of and although the Defence Ministry has relaxed its stance with regard to cruising around, you need to provide an itinerary of the cruise with full details of the guests on board to the Sri Lanka Navy and the Coast Guard”.
The main cruising destinations in Sri Lanka consist of the North-East and Southern coasts which boast some of the most pristine beaches of the world. A unique itinerary for yacht guests can be crafted which includes one-of-a-kind events as well as sampling the best of traditional Sri Lankan cuisine, such as ‘Stilt Fishing’… an authentic experience not found anywhere else in the world!
The best time to visit Sri Lanka is from October to April. The bay is blue and the sea is calm with light winds and blue sky for these six months. Perfect conditions to enjoy some wonderful cruising experiences.
Asia-Pacific Superyachts
www.asia-pacific-superyachts.com/srilanka
