A motorboat safari on the Madu River at Balapitiya, on the south-west coast of Sri Lanka, covers a 40 km stretch of water dotted with 64 small islands. The trip lasts 1.5 hours and takes in a series of stops that cover the river's ecology, its crafts and its history. Life jackets are issued and a health and safety briefing is given before you set off, along with an introduction to the river itself and why it matters.
The Madu River holds the largest remaining mangrove swamp, home to several species of reptiles, fish and birds. This biodiversity is the reason 'Madu Ganga' is listed under the International Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
Highlights
- Madu River
- Kothduwa Purana Raja Maha Viharaya
- Cinnamon Island
- Satha Paha Doowa
- Ja Kotu prawn fishing kraals
- Mangrove caves at Kadolana
- The Sekkuwa demonstration
- Traditional Sri Lankan mask carving
- Fish therapy
- Ship museum
Extras
- Entrance fee to the Buddhist temple: LKR 500 per person, payable in addition to the trip.
- Entrance fee to the fish therapy: LKR 300 per person, payable in addition to the trip.
Experience
One of the stops along the winding river is the Kothduwa Purana Raja Maha Viharaya. It is the only temple on an island in the river with no village around it, and the only way in is by boat. The route also passes through an ancient mangrove area of 915 hectares, made up of shaded tunnel-like channels and open, sunny stretches. Amphibians, reptiles and birds feed here, and the wetlands are good for birdwatching. Crocodiles inhabit the river and are often visible from the boat.
Cinnamon Island, known locally as Kurundu Doowa, is one of the main cultural stops. It produces some of the best Ceylon cinnamon, cut and processed by families who have grown it for generations, and you can buy it fresh on the island. Another stop is the Sekkuwa demonstration, in which coconut oil is pressed in an ox-driven mill, with a chance to talk to the artisans at work.
Further along the water there is a mask carving workshop, where craftsmen work with chisels and mallets and the smell of cut wood hangs in the air. The wetland also has a few fish spas, where a 15-minute natural foot massage is available for a small extra fee.
The boat calls at Satha Paha Doowa, the smallest island in the Madu River, whose name is the subject of several local stories; the shrine here is dedicated to Kataragama. Nearby are the Ja Kotu prawn fishing kraals and the mangrove caves at Kadolana. The trip also includes a ship museum, with exhibits covering the maritime history of the area.
