Dedduwa Boat House is a small riverside house on the Dedduwa lagoon, the quiet inland stretch of the Bentara River behind Bentota. Formerly known as Dedduwa Boat House by Jetwing, it is set in about half an acre of gardens between the road and the water, and can be reached by land or by boat. With only a handful of rooms, it is a place for slow days by the river rather than the bustle of the beach.

Where is Dedduwa Boat House?

The house stands at 449/1 Dedduwa, Hapurugala, on the banks of the Bentara River inland from Bentota on the south-west coast of Sri Lanka. Bentota Beach is about a ten-minute drive away, and the nearest railway stations are Induruwa, about 3 km away, and Bentota, about 3.3 km away, both on the coastal line between Colombo and Galle. Geoffrey Bawa's country estate, Lunuganga, lies a few minutes away on the same stretch of water.

How do I get from Colombo Airport to Dedduwa Boat House?

The drive from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) takes around two hours on the airport and Southern expressways, with the last part on the quiet country roads around the lagoon, depending on traffic around Colombo. The easiest way to arrive after a long flight is a private airport transfer booked in advance with Lakpura: an English-speaking driver meets you in the arrivals hall and takes you straight to the house in an air-conditioned car, van or coach sized for your group, from 2 up to 15 guests, at a fixed price for the whole vehicle rather than per seat. The same service works in reverse for your departure flight. Book the Colombo (CMB) Airport transfer to Dedduwa Boat House.

What are the rooms like?

There are five Deluxe Rooms in the main house, each with a verandah looking onto the garden and opening onto the shared lounge areas. Rooms are simple and air-conditioned, with tiled floors, mosquito nets and bathrooms with rain showers. Away from the main house, a private villa in the gardens has two rooms of its own, furnished in a rustic style, and a separate kitchen for guests who want to cater for themselves.

What facilities does the house have?

This is a house rather than a resort, so there is no swimming pool; the river and the gardens take its place. Guests have a lounge for quiet afternoons, room service, laundry, free parking and a doctor on call, and the riverbank garden is a good spot for fishing.

What is there to do around Bentota?

The Bentara River is the main attraction, with boat trips along its inland waterways and mangroves. Lunuganga, Bawa's own country garden, and Brief Garden, the home and garden of his brother Bevis, are both close by, and the long beach at Bentota is a short drive to the coast. Further south are the turtle hatcheries of Kosgoda, the mask makers of Ambalangoda and Galle Fort, an easy day trip. Lakpura can arrange private transfers and day tours to all of these from the house.