Madu Ganga Mangrove Boat Safari

Glide through the Madu Ganga — a 915-hectare Ramsar-listed wetland near Balapitiya dotted with 64 mangrove islands — on a skippered motorboat safari. The river is one of Sri Lanka's most biodiverse ecosystems, home to monitor lizards, crocodiles, monkeys, kingfishers, and cormorants weaving through ancient mangrove tunnels. Run by Suduhansa Madu River Boat Safari, this 2-hour tour takes you to Kothduwa Temple — a Buddhist monastery perched on a river islet — and Cinnamon Island, where locals demonstrate traditional cinnamon peeling and cooking. Top it off with a fish foot therapy session at a floating spa on the river. Recommended by 95% of Viator travellers.