Madu River Boat Safari

An unforgettable boat safari that is off the beaten track along the calm waters of the Madu River in Balapitiya, Sri Lanka offers you an experience of a lifetime. A motorboat trip of 1.5 hours that will take you along a stretch of 40km that consists of 64 small islands and various stops that will speak volumes of our heritage. With life jackets and health/safety instructions in tact, you will be first educated about everything and the importance of this water body. The Madu River is home to the largest remaining mangrove swamp which contains several species of reptiles, fish and birds. This rich biodiversity has allowed “Madu Ganga” to be listed under the International Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.

• Buddhist Temple
• Mangrove Caves
• Cinnamon Island
• The Sekkuwa Demonstration
• Crafting Traditional Sri Lankan Masks
• Fish Therapy
• Satha Paha Duwa
• Birds and Baby Crocodile Watching
• Ship Museum Experience

The journey along the winding waters of the Madu River consists of some interesting stops while one of them includes the “Kothduwa Purana Raja Maha Viharaya”. The significance of this sacred ground is that its is the only temple on an island in the river without a village flanking it while the only access is through the river by a boat. You will also enjoy going through an ancient mangrove area which spans 915 hectares with shaded tunnel like regions as well as sunny open areas too. This is a thriving environment with amphibians, reptiles and even birds hunting for food.

The stop at Cinnamon Island, locally known as Kurundu Doowa is one of the main cultural attractions during the safari. Home to some of the best Ceylon Cinnamon, you can be sure to purchase some fresh and high quality Cinnamon, cut and processed by generations of Cinnamon growers. Another tradition that you can experience during this boat ride includes a demonstration which is a method of pressing coconut oil in an ox driven oil mill which is known as “Sekkuwa” among the locals. You will have the chance to engage with the artisans here as well.

As the boat revs through the calm waters of the Madu river, you will come across a mask making workshop where a number of skilled craftsmen make magic with various techniques. You will hear the chisels and mallets at work while the scent of wood will be infused in the air. You can also enjoy a natural fish massage while there are a few fish spas located within this wetland area. A natural foot massage of 15 minutes for a small fee will help you relax.

We come across Satha Paha Doowa which is the smallest island in the Madu river. There are many folklores with regard to its name while the shrine that you will see is dedicated to Kataragama. The wetlands are perfect for birdwatching while you can also spot many crocodiles that inhibit the river. The journey, likewise includes a ship museum experience where you can learn about the maritime history and explore a range of exhibits.