About this experience
Mawella Lagoon Kayaking from Tangalle picks you up at your hotel in Tangalle and drives you a short way west along the coast to Mawella, where a narrow strip of land shelters a calm, shallow lagoon from the open sea. After the paddle the driver brings you back, so the whole outing needs no planning on your part.
At the water's edge a guide gives a safety briefing and a simple introduction to paddling. You use stable sit-on-top kayaks and wear a life vest throughout. The route follows mangrove-lined channels and open stretches of still water, with no engine noise, only the sound of the paddle.
Kingfishers, herons, egrets and cormorants hunt along the banks, and water monitors sometimes rest on the roots of the mangroves. The guide points out the birds and explains how the fishing families of the lagoon work these waters. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times, with soft light and the most wildlife.
No experience is needed: the lagoon is sheltered and has no real current. The price covers return transport between your Tangalle hotel and the lagoon, the kayak, the life vest and the guide. Bring a hat, sunglasses, sun protection and a camera.
