Sri Lanka is emerging as one of South Asia most promising yacht charter destinations, an island of extraordinary natural diversity whose coastal waters range from the blue-water passages of the south coast to the sheltered lagoons and mangrove systems of the north-west. Five motor yachts are currently available for Sri Lankan charters, based primarily in Colombo and Galle, with routes encompassing the southern whale-watching corridor between Mirissa and Dondra Head, the historic Dutch harbour at Trincomalee and the deserted beaches of the north-west coast around Kalpitiya.
Charter rates for motor yachts in Sri Lanka run from approximately 30,000 to 100,000 euros per week before the advance provisioning allowance of around 30 percent, reflecting a developing market relative to the Maldives and Seychelles. Sri Lanka operates on two monsoon systems: the south-west monsoon affects the west and south coast from May through October, while the north-east monsoon affects the east coast from December through February, making year-round charter feasible by alternating between coasts with each season.
Galle is the most atmospheric charter departure point, a 17th-century Dutch fort city on the southern tip of the island with a natural harbour used by Arab and Portuguese traders for centuries before the Dutch arrived. From Galle, the blue-water passage east along the south coast reaches Mirissa, where blue whales and sperm whales are regularly encountered from November through April. Trincomalee on the north-east coast offers the finest natural harbour in South Asia and diving in Pigeon Island Marine National Park.
