The 5 Best Canoes & Kayaks Tours in Sri Lanka

1.Guided Kayaking Tour in the Lagoon

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 23 reviews · 2 hours · from $23Our pick

Paddle the calm Negombo Lagoon by kayak with a local guide, spotting mangroves, birds, and fishing life, plus optional sea bath.

“It was great fun paddling in the lagoon and going through the mangrove, but the kayaks might be too big for that. Some spots were quite small, and I assume most people are not experienced on kayaks. Some of our group struggled to make it through. The tide was low, which made the kayaks bog. I had to sit at the back of a 3-seater, so I had to find ways to make my kayak move. At one point, I got out and pushed it. The guide told me not to do that because the oysters' edges are sharp, but I was tired of being stucked. I think the company…”

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2.Unawatuna Lagoon Canoeing Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 6 reviews · from $40

Paddle Unawatuna Lagoon by canoe with life jackets, expert-led birdwatching in mangroves, plus water, refreshments, and a tuk-tuk ride.

“The guides were lovely, full of knowledge and really helpful in teaching us how to canoe! Our daughter became ill during the tour and they were so good, got us collected from the riverside and dropped back to our hotel. Can’t recommend this company enough!”

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3.Madu River Sunrise Mangrove Kayaking

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · from $110Top rated

Sunrise mangrove kayaking on Sri Lanka’s Ramsar Madu River. Early paddles, Buddhi-led safari time, snacks, and calm nature healing.

“We were there after the party till mid night. Kayaking instructor was a real friendly guy with plenty of experience in the field. He welcome us to the river & kayaking activity middle of no where we had snacks on our kayaks. It made my day wiRead more”

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4.Madu River Sunrise Mangrove Kayaking from Bentota

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · from $125

Sunrise mangrove kayaking on Sri Lanka’s Madu River from Bentota, small group, nature-rich wetlands, with pickup, guide, snacks, and safety gear.

“The weather was against us because of Cyclone Ditwah but Dinesh took us out nonetheless and we had a wonderful time. Despite the wind and rain it was really peaceful and you couldn't see any other people for miles around. We saw soRead more”

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5.Madu River Sunrise Mangrove Kayaking from Colombo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · from $150

Sunrise mangrove kayaking on Sri Lanka’s Madu River with Colombo transfers, safety support, and included snacks for a calm early outing.

“It was a great experience to kayak in the sun rise. Breathtaking colorful sky was there. Enjoyed a lot the sun rise and the rest of the journey. Thank you Serendib team for your excellent service. It was a memorable journey!! Highly recommended.”

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