The 15 Mangrove & River Safaris in Sri Lanka That Repay the Drive

1.Bentota River Safari with Mangrove and Wildlife Encounter

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 182 reviews · 2 hours · from $20Our pick

Review of Bentota River Safari, a two-hour private mangrove cruise with crocodiles, monkeys, birds, hotel pickup, and fresh tropical fruit.

“Great experience, highly recommended! Communication was great from start to finish. We were collected promptly from our hotel by our guide Nihal who was fantastic & very knowledgable about the area. He pointed out much of the wildlife including a few baby crocodiles which were amazing & helped us with photos. He stopped off part way through & provided us with a refreshing drink of coconut water which was a nice touch. All in all it was a very enjoyable & informative trip that we both thoroughly enjoyed.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.2h Bentota River Safari: Crocodiles, Monkeys, Mangrove & more

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 128 reviews · from $32Top rated

Review the Bentota River Safari for crocodiles, monkeys, mangroves, birds, private transport, guides, value, and booking tips.

“Pick up on time, guide was exceptional. We saw loads of wildlife during our river safari - it was perfect way to end our two weeks in Sri Lanka”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Bentota River Safari By BTM (Mangrove & Wildlife Encounter)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 108 reviews · from $32

Review of Bentota River Safari by BTM, a private two-hour mangrove cruise with wildlife, hotel pickup, guides, and strong value.

“We loved this! Never seen a mangrove forest up close and it felt like an unanticipated bucket-list experience. Our guide Hari was a lovely guy, very knowledgeable about the ecosystem and with a genuine passion for nature. We saw a chameRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Pottuvil Lagoon Eco Tour : Mangrove Adventure in Arugam Bay

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 67 reviews · 3 hours · from $32

Explore Pottuvil Lagoon by boat from Arugam Bay, spotting crocodiles, elephants, birds, mangroves, and crabs with an expert guide.

“Our Lagoon Tour in Arugam Bay was absolutely amazing! The guide was friendly, knowledgeable, and passionate about the local nature. We enjoyed spotting many birds and other wildlife while soaking in the peaceful lagoon scenery. The tour was well-organized, relaxed, and perfect for nature lovers. Highly recommend this experience to anyone visiting Arugam Bay!”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Arugambay :Pottuvil Lagoon Mangrove Eco Boat Safari Tours

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 48 reviews · 3 hours · from $32

Review of Pottuvil Lagoon’s peaceful paddle safari, with mangroves, birds, crocodiles, elephants, hotel pickup, and useful booking tips.

“Cannot recommend this tour enough. Ibrahim our guide was absolutely superb. His knowledge of the flora and fauna was flawless. He provided a small breakfast of milkshake and hoppers and was a font of knowledge. He even helped me identify animals from our Kumana Safari the previous day. We saw crocodiles elephants and a whole host of birds and learned about the species and ecosystem. A wonderfully serene morning and well worth the early start.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Kayaking Adventure on serene waters through mangroves, Akurala

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 42 reviews · from $15Best value

Kayak through Akurala’s mangrove waterways near Hikkaduwa, spot wildlife, pass under a train, and enjoy a private two-hour adventure.

“Every thing is great, kalu was a great man very friendly very good every thing was just perfect without any additional hidden fees”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Bentota River Safari: Discover Wildlife & Mangroves by Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 41 reviews · 2 hours · from $20

Explore Bentota River’s mangroves, crocodiles, monkeys, birds, and village life on a private two-hour safari with hotel pickup.

“Unforgettable experience with our amazing guide, Deva, who took us all over Bentota river and helped us spot monitor lizards, a baby croc, monkeys, loads of birds, and - most memorably - so many kingfishers! It was like getting lost in another world. Thank you so much for making it happen so flawlessly for us.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.From Colombo/Negombo: Galle, Madu River, and Turtle Hatchery

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 41 reviews · 10 hours · from $46

Review of a private Sri Lanka day trip from Colombo or Negombo, covering Madu River, turtles, Galle Fort, stilt fishermen, and a moonstone mine.

“Janaka was on time, very polite, knowledgeable and pleasant company. We when from Negombo to Galle. We stopped at a spice garden, then onto the turtle hatchery, we then went on a Madu River Boat tour. In the tour my husband felt dizzy when we arrived at the temple, Janaka stayed with him ensuring he was feeling better before my husband toured the temple. Janaka took us to a lovely restaurant on the banks of the river, where the food was lovely! We then were going to go to a mask museum and moonstone village, but due to my husband’s dizzy spell we asked not to go to these, we…”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Madu River Boat Safari Balapitiya

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 41 reviews · from $29

Review of the Madu River Boat Safari in Balapitiya, Sri Lanka, including wildlife, island stops, value, practical tips, and who should book.

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Negombo Lagoon Boat Safari Hotel Pickup(Monkey,Mangrove)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 39 reviews · from $50

Review of Negombo Lagoon Boat Safari with tuk-tuk pickup, mangroves, monkeys, fresh fruit, and private lagoon cruising for $50.

“The number one activity to do in Negombo. Can recommend the afternoon because of cooler temperatures. The tour guide was exceptional. He played fantastic music for us in the tuk tuk on the way yo the Lagoon. The fruit platter in the Lagoon was delightful and fresh and the experience feeding the monkeys was terrific. We had a truly great day!!!”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Madu River Boat Tour and Cinnamon Garden visit

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 20 reviews · 1 day · from $29

Cruise Sri Lanka’s Madu River through mangroves, spot crocodiles, visit Cinnamon Island, and weigh the tour’s costs and practical details.

“We had the boat to ourselves and our young guide was so great at spotting things of interest in the undergrowth. It was relaxing and fascinating all at once! As it was just us we picked the stops we wanted and not those we didn't! He found jellyfish, baby alligators and huge lizard. We visited a cinnamon island and saw lots of different plants and enjoyed the breeze of the river boat at speed!”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Exclusive Madu River Safari & Turtle Hatchery

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 16 reviews · 5.5 hours · from $80

Review of the private Madu River Safari and Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery tour from Kalutara, with cinnamon, temples, wildlife, costs, and tips.

“Many thanks for our guide , perfect driver, guide, knows srilanka community. Many thanks for our guide on the boat safari Okokokokokokokokokokokokoooooooookklllokk”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Exclusive Madu River Safari & Turtle Hatchery

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 13 reviews · 3.5 hours · from $65

Review of the private Madu River Safari and Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery tour from Bentota, with itinerary, wildlife, price, tips, and honest value advice.

“Wonderful experience! We were so well taken care of from start to finish. Madu River was absolutely beautiful, the Cinnamon Garden stop over was informative and enjoyable, and it was great to see the turtle hatchery. Definitely recommend!”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Half Day Tour to Muthurajawela, Lagoon, Dutch Canal and Mangroves

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · from $59

Explore Muthurajawela, Negombo Lagoon and the Dutch Canal by boat, with mangroves, monkeys, kingfishers and hotel pickup.

“The guide is so enthusiastic and knowledgeable. We saw birds and water monitors and monkeys and he provided snacks and refreshments. It was a wonderful time and a highly recommended tour!”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.From Colombo/Negombo: Galle, Madu River, and Turtle Hatchery

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 11 reviews · 10 hours · from $126

Review of a private Sri Lanka day trip to Galle Fort, Madu River, turtle conservation, and moonstone mining from Colombo or Negombo.

“Rasidu is een aardige man maar is geen gids. Hij wist niks over de plekker te vertellen. Je kon het jezelf uitzoeken. Sprak slecht engels waardoor we bij een Ayurvedische stonden maar hem al had verteld dat ik er niet naartoe wou. Hij was alleen maar met zijn telefoon bezig en selfies aan het maken. Liep continu door mijn camerabeeld. Luisterde niet naar mij maar alleen maar naar zichzelf. Dit was echt heel slecht. Deze man is een chauffeur en geen gids. Hij mag echt niet ip zo’n tour meegaan. Ik heb spijt dat ik met hem ben gegaan. Hij gaf veel iritaties. Zeker met zijn telefoongedrag. Ik moest wachten…”

Check availability →Read our full review