- Colombo Dunes by Crate Adventure at Port City opens to the public
Colombo Dunes by Crate Adventure at Port City was opened to the public on 28 October 2021. Colombo Dunes is Sri Lanka’s first sand dunes all-terrain vehicle (ATV) adventure centre. Speaking to Colombo Dunes by Crate Adventure Manager and Director Ranul Thantilage, he shared that while the sand dunes ATV adventure centre is the first of its kind on the island, Crate Adventure had previously launched their first ATV adventure centre in Gampaha known as “Colombo Mountain”. He shared that at the time of launch, it was South Asia’s first ATV adventure park.
Attending the opening of the Sand Dunes adventure centre at Colombo Port City was Chief Guest, Youth and Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa, while Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga and Transport Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi were also present at the event.
Speaking at the event, the Sports Minister shared that initiatives such as these will play an imperative role as the building blocks in forming a booming sports economy in the island. He stated that these sports events will be packaged together with the island’s tourism offerings in creating an attractive destination for global travellers of all kinds. He added that they wish to make Port City an investment-friendly financial city and are now taking the first few steps to reach that goal.
Ranul Thantilage shared that when Crate Adventure (Pvt.) Ltd. first launched their initial arm of the ATV adventure centre in 2018, their main insight was having identified the gap in Sri Lanka between general tourism and adventure tourism. He stated that there are numerous travellers who seek out adventure activities and opportunities to spend time with nature. He added that a majority of the tourists that arrive in Sri Lanka are looking for adventure; given Sri Lanka’s diverse terrains, wildlife, and overall thriving biodiversity, they are looking to explore the great outdoors. Similarly, local travellers have also developed an affinity to adventure-style travel, seeking activities that are now categorised as sporting activities, much like ATV riding, which is more commonly available in the North American and European regions.
Having identified the missing link, the group joined hands with one of the world’s leading ATV manufacturers, North American company Can-Am by BRP, thereby ensuring that Crate Adventure features top-class, high-end ATVs that exceed client expectations.
The “Colombo Mountain” ATV track in Gampaha is located in what is well recognised as an adventure seeker’s hotspot nestled in a rocky mountain terrain. This ATV track situated in the midst of the natural forest terrain is home to a great deal of fauna and flora and rock caves, and one could even spot 360-degree lookout points where you could catch a peak of the Colombo skyline. Doing a complete 180, the group is now offering the experience on an entirely different terrain – on the Colombo Port City sand dunes.
Colombo Dunes by Crate Adventure has been constructed in a way that offers three different difficulty levels, in multiple tracks, from beginners all the way up to frequent ATV enthusiasts – a guaranteed adrenaline-driven experience that is unforgettable.
Additionally, at Colombo Dunes you will also be given the choice of driving the ATVs through sand dunes and experience a one-of-a-kind beach ride on Sri Lanka’s only artificial beach. According to Thantilage, the special purpose-built trailer will provide a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for families and senior citizens to explore Sri Lanka’s first man-made beach, allowing for a leisurely stroll against the backdrop of the sun setting on the Indian Ocean, while the youth enjoy the adrenaline-pumping experience of riding through the dunes. He shared that the inclusion of the activities on the beach were in an effort to offer a mix of adventure, physical exercise, and relaxation with nature for all age groups.
Colombo Dunes by Crate Adventure at Port City is now open for business for anyone looking to dip their toes into the world of adventure sports; there’s really no better place to start.
Website: www.crateadventure.com
Call: 0717 727 777
