Muthurajawela – Negombo
At the southern end of the Negombo lagoon, Around 15km south of Negombo , and close to the southern edge of the airport, Muthurajawela consist of a considerable area of saltwater wetland which attracts a rich variety of water-loving birds, various species such as colourful kingfisher, assorted herons, egrets, moorhen, duck, painted stork and many others can be seen here, as well as crocodiles, macaque monkeys and a large population of water monitors. The small Muthurajawela visitor centre is the starting point for rewarding two-hour boat trips through the wetlands.It is better to be present ,in advance to make sure there’s a boat available when you arrive, especially on Sundays, when lots of locals visit. Trips take you up along the idyllic old Dutch canal before reaching the Negombo lagoon itself, which you’ll skirt while exploring the surrounding wetlands and mangroves.
Boat trips operate daily 7am to4p at a cost of Rs.1000/person including guide. Boats can be arranged through most guesthouses and travel agents. As an alternative (To reduce the travel cost to Visitor center), catch a train to Ja-Ela, on the main Colombo–Negombo line, and then a tuktuk.
Disclaimer: The fares mentioned in this article are subject to change at any time without prior notice. Please verify current prices with the respective service providers before making any bookings.
