Pasikudah Lagoon lies on the east coast of Sri Lanka, a sheltered stretch of water where the sea swell does not reach. This guided kayaking trip takes two hours on that calm water, and it is sold for one to eight guests, so the only decision to make is how many of you are paddling.
The lagoon is fringed with mangrove forest, and the roots and channels of that forest shelter varied birdlife and wildlife. Fishing families still work the lagoon in the traditional way, so alongside the natural side of the trip there is a working culture to see at close range. Depending on when your trip runs, you may find sunrise or sunset light on the water.
No paddling experience is needed. A certified guide runs a briefing and lesson on land before anyone gets into a kayak, and the water is calm enough for first-timers. Transport to the start is not included: guests make their own way to the launch point on the lagoon.
Highlights
- Two hours of guided kayaking on the calm, sheltered water of Pasikudah Lagoon
- A 15-minute safety briefing and kayaking lesson from a certified guide before you set off
- Paddling among the mangrove forest and the birdlife and wildlife that live in it
- A look at the traditional fishing still worked from the lagoon
- A sea bath near the lagoon's edge if the weather allows
- Booked for one to eight guests
On the water
The trip begins on land with a 15-minute safety briefing and kayaking lesson from a certified guide, covering how to hold and use the paddle and what to do on the water, so that first-timers know what they are doing before they push off. From there you paddle for two hours across the calm, sheltered lagoon. The route takes you along the mangrove forest, an ecosystem that supports varied birdlife and wildlife; the guide can point out what lives there, though no sighting can be promised. You will also pass traditional fishing being worked from the lagoon, which shows how families here have used this water for generations. If the weather allows, the trip finishes with a sea bath near the lagoon's edge for anyone who wants one.
Includes
- Two-hour guided kayaking tour
- Briefing session with a certified guide
- Kayak and paddling equipment
- Opportunity to explore the lagoon's flora and fauna
- Insight into local fishing traditions
Excludes
- Food and beverages
- Transport to the starting point
Good to know
- Not suitable for non-swimmers or for people with mobility impairments
- Guests make their own way to the launch point on the lagoon
- The sea bath at the end depends on the weather on the day
