Balapitiya, Sri Lanka

Balapitiya is a fishing village nestled in the south-western coastal belt of Sri Lanka, quietly positioned between two better-known neighbours. It sits 8 km south of Kosgoda and 5 km north of Ambalangoda, the village celebrated for its handicrafts and the intricate wooden masks carved there by local artisans.

While the village itself carries the easy charm of a working coastal settlement, Balapitiya is perhaps best known as the favoured starting point for boat safaris along the Madu Ganga. The river stretches out from here through a remarkable inland waterway, and along its course lie 64 islands rich with bird life — making a journey along the Madu Ganga as rewarding for nature enthusiasts as it is for those simply drawn to the quiet beauty of the water.