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Bentota Beach

Bentota Beach: Our most recommended tours and activities

West coast Beach, River Mangroves lagoon, Wildlife boat Tour

1. West coast Beach, River Mangroves lagoon, Wildlife boat Tour

The tour starts from your hotel in Colombo or the west coast beach resort. You will be traveling along the beautiful west coast beaches while passing coconut plantations, fishing villages, and towns. You will be stopping at a few places at regular intervals. Your first stop will be at the sea turtle conservation center, where, you witness the sick and handicapped sea turtles are been treated. Later stop at Madu river for the mangrove lagoon tour. Mangroves Mangrove is one of the most important and fragile ecosystems in the world and they grow only in tropical countries such as Sri Lanka. This valuable forest cover is depleting all around the world, including in Sri Lanka, due to many factors such as climate change and human activities. Madu River estuary is a "RAMSAR wetland" and is declared a protected riverine forest. Boat safari Madu Ganga is one of the most important natural assets of Sri Lanka. It is located 70km south of Colombo on the Colombo-Galle main road. Madu Ganga is the second-largest wetland on the island, consisting of 28 islands. The number of families living on the islands is estimated to be around 250. Madu Ganga spreads over 915 hectares of wetland and harbors vast biodiversity and ecosystem. Madu Ganga wetland is fed by seven tributaries and forms the body of the wetland. The water runs through a course of land that spans 2300 hectares. It was declared a national sanctuary in 2006. A cruise on a modern motorboat is the best way to explore the natural wealth of Madu Ganga, the islands in the wetland are largely inaccessible by road. The inhabitants are also using boats and more often paddle boats as the means of transport. This tour offers a particularly appealing boat trip around Madu Ganga. The Ramsa Wetland is one of the most visited natural attractions of Sri Lanka’s west coast, with riverscapes amongst quiet thick grown islands and mangrove forests with sites of immense natural interest. There are plenty of opportunities to spot fascinating wildlife in the aquatic environment, throughout the tour. The most important asset of the fragile ecosystem of Madu Ganga is its mangrove forests. These mangrove forests provide protection for a large number of aquatic bird, animal, and plant species. The ecosystem in Madu Ganga is the home of many different kinds of aquatic plants, crabs, shrimp, fish, insects, amphibians, and other animal life including crocodiles. While on the boat tour you'll visit one of the oldest temples on the west coast of Sri Lanka, located on a secluded island. You will also get a chance to visit the mask museum and see hundreds of ancient masks and learn about their history, folklore, and use in rituals. You'll also visit a sea turtle conservation center run by volunteers. Learn about why Sri Lanka is a prime turtle nesting site and how important it is for turtle conservation. Before your tour is over, you'll get to enjoy a leisurely stroll on Bentota beach, one of the nicest beaches on the west coast. Buddhist temple, Bentota beach, spice herbal garden, Mask museum After the mangrove lagoon tour, you will be visiting the mask museum and mask carving center. Later visit Bentota beach spice and herbal garden and your tour ends with a visit to one of the most sacred Buddhist temples on the west coast.

Bentota beach, River Mangroves lagoon, Wildlife Tour

2. Bentota beach, River Mangroves lagoon, Wildlife Tour

Take a safari adventure on the Bentota river with this tour from Bentota beach in Colombo. Explore the lush habitats of the river in a powerboat. Learn about your surroundings from a local guide.  Meet your guide at the beach and hop aboard a powerboat. Capture stunning pictures of Bentota beach as you leave the shore. Follow the river through mangroves that provide a rich natural habitat for local wildlife and which help smaller fishing communities to thrive.  Keep an eye out for giant crocodiles, sea eagles, monkeys, snakes, monitor lizards, and graceful egret herons. Relax and connect with this natural setting and immerse yourself in the biodiversity of this unique eco-system. Return to Bentota beach.

Colombo/Negombo: Galle, Bentota, and Hikkaduwa Day Trip

3. Colombo/Negombo: Galle, Bentota, and Hikkaduwa Day Trip

Your tour begins as you are picked up from your Colombo hotel to be transferred to Bentota. Once there you will enjoy some water sports, before taking a river safari down the beautiful Madu River. This river is a wetland estuary spreading over 900 hectares of which 770 hectares are covered with water and inhabited with 64 islands. This boat ride is a wonderful way to take a closer look at this complex wetland ecosystem, which is a UNESCO-listed site. The area is also protected by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands as one of the last wetlands in Sri Lanka to contain a pristine mangrove forest. Once having explored the wetlands, you will transfer to Kosgoda to visit a turtle hatchery where you will see various breeds of sea turtles. Lunch at a recommended restaurant will follow before you transfer to Meetiyagoda, where you will visit the Moonstone Mine and workshop. Following the mine, you'll head to Hikkaduwa Beach to visit the Galle Dutch fort, which was first built in 1588 by the Portuguese. It was later extensively fortified by the Dutch during the 17th century, and in the modern age has become UNESCO-listed. At the conclusion of your cultural experience, you will transfer back to Colombo.

From Colombo: Galle Guided Tour with Herbal Massage

4. From Colombo: Galle Guided Tour with Herbal Massage

Discover Sri Lanka’s south and west coasts, including Galle. You’ll visit the area’s most important cultural sites with a guide, such as Galle Fort, a herbal garden, a moonstone mine, a mask museum, and a sea turtle conservation. Finish the day with a cruise of the Madu River estuary.  Enjoy transportation from Colombo in a private vehicle to Galle. Stop off at Galle Fort, a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site which represents the interaction between European architecture and South Asian traditions from the 16th to the 19th century. See its churches, temples, and rampart on a guided tour.  Next, you’ll visit a traditional spice and herb garden on a guided walking tour. Admire the range of spices used for Sri Lankan cuisine and medication, and learn about their history and cultivation. Enjoy a relaxing herbal massage for yourself from an experienced massage therapist.  You’ll then visit the coastal town of Hikkaduwa, where you can take a stroll along the west coast beach, with its coral sanctuary and impressive wildlife population of marine turtles and exotic fish. The excursion also includes a tour of the local sea turtle conservation program, where you'll learn about their projects up close. You'll also visit a local moonstone mine, and take a tour of the traditional Ariyapala Masks Museum. Finally, stop off at the Madu River for a cruise up the estuary. Learn about its ecological significance as a designated Ramsar Wetland, and the second-largest wetland in Sri Lanka with its 23 islands. Take in the serene views before heading back to Colombo.

From Negombo: Bentota Water Sports and Galle City Tour

5. From Negombo: Bentota Water Sports and Galle City Tour

Bentota is situated along the southwest coast of the country, 65 Km south of Colombo. Take a jet ski out on the ocean at super high speeds. Have a great view of the ocean and the beach as you speed through the waves. After, jump onto a tube or banana boat for more thrilling rides.  Discover Galle, a city also on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka. It is known for Galle Fort, the fortified city founded by Portuguese colonists in the 16th-century. Stone sea walls, expanded by the Dutch, encircle car-free streets with architecture reflecting the Portuguese, Dutch, and British rule. Notable buildings include the 18th-century Dutch Reformed Church. See Galle lighthouse standing on the fort’s southeast tip. 

Western Province: Private Culture, Nature, and Beach Tour

6. Western Province: Private Culture, Nature, and Beach Tour

Day 01 : : Airport / Dambulla/ Sigiriya Arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport, meet & greet by "Seerendipity Tours" Representatives and proceed to the hotel in Sigiriya. En route visit, Sigiriya rock fortress, and Dambulla golden temple. Sigiriya rock fortress Sigiriya is an ancient rock fortress located in the cultural triangle of Sri Lanka. Dambulla cave temple Dambulla cave temple is a World Heritage Site (1991) in Sri Lanka, situated in the cultural triangle. Dambulla is one of the largest and best-preserved cave temple complexes in the world. There are a total of 153 Buddha statues. The murals cover an area of 2,100 square meters (23,000 sq ft). Minneriya Safari Minneriya Safari is 3 hours safari tour in Minneriya National Park. During the tour, you will be able to have a closer look at many wild animals such as elephants, deer, and buffalo. Overnight stay at Hotel in Sigiriya DAY 02 : : Sigiriya / Kandy Breakfast at Hotel and leave for Kandy, en-route visit a spice Garden and Hindu temple, In the afternoon Kandy city tour. Sri Muttumari amman temple Sri Muthumariamman Thevasthanam is a Hindu temple located in Matale city that is known for its colorful chariots located here. Its history goes back to the early 1800s. Today, it is one of the biggest Hindu temples on the island. Spice garden Visit a spice garden in Matale to see many different types of spices Sri Lanka is famous for. You will be introduced to different spices and shown how some of these spices are grown and processed. Kandy A ruled in Kandy up to 1815 although the rest of the island was under the British regime. Finally, it was ceded to them by the Chieftains of Kandy who were disappointed over the king’s cruel deeds. Today Kandy is one of the most important cities owing to the presence of the Temple of the Sacred tooth of the Buddha. Tooth relic temple Tooth relic temple is a Buddhist temple in the city of Kandy. It is located in the royal palace complex of the former Kingdom of Kandy, which houses the relic of the tooth of Buddha. Overnight stay at Hotel in Kandy DAY 03 : : Kandy / Nuwara eliya After a leisurely breakfast, you’ll begin the journey to Nuwara Eliya by taking the hill country scenic train journey. In the afternoon Nuwara Eliya city tour and tea factory visit. Tea factory Visit a Tea Plantation and a Tea Factory en route. Sri Lanka is famous for its “Ceylon Tea” which has added cheers to many the world over for more than a century. Overnight stay at Hotel in Nuwara Eliya DAY 04 : : Nuwara Eliya / Bentota Breakfast at Hotel and Leave for Bentota, En route visit the waterfalls and Sita Amman temple. SITA AMMAN KOVIL The place, where Sita stayed in India was similar to Nuwara Eliya with a cool climate and beautiful surroundings. T Overnight stay at Hotel in Bentota DAY 05 : : Bentota / Airport Breakfast at Hotel and Leave for Colombo airport, En route optional Colombo city tour. End of the tour

Other Sightseeing Options in Bentota Beach

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What people are saying about Bentota Beach

Overall rating

5.0 / 5

based on 3 reviews

A great tour! I was lucky enough to be there outside of mass tourism, as there is currently a travel warning. On site, however, the situation is completely relaxed. The tour was absolutely fantastic and was great fun!