Linking the river to the ocean, the Negombo lagoon is located 15km south of the city. This large estuarine lagoon is home to monkeys, crocodiles, and abundance of birdlife. Surrounded by densely grown rice paddies and mangrove this area has a close link with nature.
Once you get to the lagoon it is only possible to get around by boat. You can take a 2 – 3-hour boat tour to view the surrounding wildlife where you will not only get a chance to look and learn but also spot a variety of wild animals in the area. The motorboats carry up to 12 people and they are provided life jackets for safety purposes. The boat rides begin at the Muthurajawela Visitor Centre and once you get to the middle of the lagoon you find a small museum. There is an entrance fee to the museum and all the earnings go to support the conservation efforts of the area.
The profuse bird life is perfect for bird watchers. Coots, herons, and egrets are seen all around the lagoon in their endless quest for food. Bright blue kingfishers stay perched on mangrove branches waiting for their day’s catch. Negombo’s famous fishermen can be seen out at sea in brightly coloured boats and some of them still using old-fashioned canoes. You may also want to look out for hungry crocodiles waiting motionlessly for their meal to drop by.
Negombo is one the best coastal towns of Sri Lanka for a holiday. Staying at a Negombo Resort such as Club Dolphin will give you a chance to easily access every area of the town. The hotel has a long standing name as one of the best in the country in terms of service, amenities, and the complete package.
Intrigued by history, art and food, Lavinia Woolf is a writer who is passionate about the extraordinary and writes of the exhilarating and enchanting.
