Come aboard for an amazing adventure along the Madu River in Balapitiya, Sri Lanka. Cruise through lush mangrove forests, spotting lots of wildlife. Visit Cinnamon Island to see how cinnamon is made. Then, glide through mangrove tunnels and visit Kothduwa Temple. This trip is all about wildlife, culture, and nature – a truly unique experience!
What Makes This Tour Unique:
Biodiversity Hotspot:
Encounter a diverse array of wildlife, from vibrant birdlife to elusive reptiles, in their natural habitat.
Cultural Immersion:
Gain insight into Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage through encounters with local artisans and visits to sacred sites.
Mangrove Exploration:
Traverse enchanting mangrove tunnels and witness the marvels of this unique ecosystem up close.
Interactive Experiences:
Engage in hands-on activities such as cinnamon peeling and fish therapy, adding a touch of adventure to your journey.
Schedule & prices
Runs
Every day
Next available
Mon, Oct 5
Adult (ages 12–80)
$26
Child (ages 0–11)
$10
Prices change with the date; the lowest is shown.
Larger groups pay less per person.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 4.
Tour Options
Boat Safari with Pickup
Starting points:
Ahungalla, Sri Lanka
Balapitiya, Sri Lanka
Bentota, Sri Lanka
Kosgoda, Sri Lanka
Madu Ganga, Sri Lanka
Pickup included
Start at Madu River
Itinerary
Admission included90 min
This one-hour tour takes you on a boat safari through the primitive depths of the mangrove marshes in Madu River. Traverse the dark and dangerous caverns formed by the thick mangrove forests; interspersed with bright open stretches of water. Learn more about mangroves and their positive effect on ecology. Get a chance to see crocodiles, water snakes, tree snakes and wild boars in their natural habitat. Watch the cormorants; storks and many other avianlife hunt for their prey in swift flow of Madu River. View the pots for catching prawn and shrimp left in some of the shallower areas of the river. Visit the old Buddhist temple on one of the islands that dot the river liberally. Stop by another of the islands; which are the source of the cinnamon industry of Sri Lanka. Purchase some fresh, high quality cinnamon to take home as a souvenir. Make sure to visit the outdoor fish massage parlor, where you can dangle your feet into a fenced part of the river to get treated by the massage fish.
What's included
Included
Cinnamon Island
Bottled water
Island Temple
Instructor
1 and 1/2 hours Boat tour
Not included
Tips
Meals and drinks
Transport your place to our boat safari place
Pickup Locations & Times
We pick up from any hotel near to Galle, Hikkaduwa, Ahungalla, Kosgoda, Bentota, Kaluthara, Colombo, Nigamabo
Note : We can arrange pick from any hotel You have to pay per taxi fee ( this price not include taxi fee )
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.9
7 reviews
5
6
4
1
3
0
2
0
1
0
How it compares in Bentota
No. 41 by number of reviews among 276 tours in Bentota
Starting price $26 is 52% below the typical $54 for tours of similar length in Bentota
Excurgo comparison of 276 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Dress code is smart casual
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Madu River Safari at Balapitiya take?
Madu River Safari at Balapitiya lasts about 1–2 hours. The itinerary has 1 stop.
How much does Madu River Safari at Balapitiya cost?
Prices start at $26 per person for this Bentota experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There are 2 booking options, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Madu River Safari at Balapitiya run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day.
How much does Madu River Safari at Balapitiya cost for children?
Children aged 0–11 pay from $10, adults from $26.
Can I cancel Madu River Safari at Balapitiya for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup is offered. We pick up from any hotel near to Galle, Hikkaduwa, Ahungalla, Kosgoda, Bentota, Kaluthara, Colombo, Nigamabo
Note : We can arrange pick from any hotel You have to pay per taxi fee ( this price not include taxi fee ) Pickup points include Heritance Ahungalla.
What languages is Madu River Safari at Balapitiya offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a private experience: only your party takes part. Up to 9 travellers can book together.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Madu River Safari at Balapitiya worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.9 out of 5 across 7 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Look Lank Tours.
Reviews(7)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
D
Dimuthu M
June 26, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Amazing Boat Ride Adventure with Friends
My friends and I had a great time on this Sri Lanka tour, and the boat ride was definitely the highlight of the day. Cruising through the calm waters while enjoying the beautiful surroundings was a relaxing and unforgettable experience. We saw plenty of birds, enjoyed the fresh breeze, and took lots of photos along the way.
The entire trip was well organized, and everything went smoothly from start to finish. Our guide was friendly and made the experience even more enjoyable by sharing interesting information about the area. Traveling with friends made the adventure even more fun, and there were plenty of memorable moments throughout the day. If you're looking for a unique and enjoyable activity in Sri Lanka, this tour is a fantastic choice. Highly recommended
Operator response
Dear Dimuthu,
Thank you for your wonderful review. We are happy that you and your friends enjoyed the Madu River Safari, beautiful surroundings, birdlife, and friendly guide.
Thank you for choosing Look Lanka Tours and for recommending the experience.
Warm regards,
Chinthaka and the Look Lanka Tours Team
R
Rksh_D
December 4, 2025 · via Viator
Great experience....
Great experience. Cinnamon island with demo and cinnamon tea was awesome. Saw water monitor lizard, black monkeys.
Operator response
Thank you for sharing your experience. We are delighted that you enjoyed the Madu River Safari, especially the cinnamon demonstration and cinnamon tea.
It is wonderful that you also spotted water monitor lizards and monkeys during the safari. We hope to welcome you again for another memorable experience in Sri Lanka.
Warm regards,
Look Lanka Tours Team
G
G6433YBkimc
September 7, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Sri Lanka is amazing
We booked a trip with Look Lanka for 23 days and included many different tours, including the Madu river safari. We had an extremely helpful driver and we all thoroughly enjoyed Sri Lanka. So much to do and see and very inexpensive
Operator response
Thank you very much for choosing Look Lanka Tours for your 23-day journey around Sri Lanka.
We are delighted that you enjoyed the Madu River Safari, the many experiences throughout your tour, and the helpful service provided by your driver. It was our pleasure to be part of your holiday, and we hope to welcome you back to Sri Lanka again.
Warm regards,
Chinthaka and the Look Lanka Tours Team
E
Emmaweary2022
April 26, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
very impressive
It's a nice place as well as can reach the nature boat safari is very impressive. iodiversity was the major attraction in Madu river wet land with consists of a large variety of mangroves. Our motorboat was equipped with a canopy which could be raised or lowered when it was necessary
Operator response
Thank you very much for sharing your experience. We are delighted that you enjoyed the Madu River boat safari and its beautiful mangroves, wildlife, and rich biodiversity.
We hope to welcome you again for another memorable nature experience in Sri Lanka.
Warm regards,
Look Lanka Tours Team
C
coolshinmonika
December 29, 2024 · via Tripadvisor
I had an amazing time on the Madu River Safari at Balapitiya organized by Look Lanka Tours
I had an amazing time on the Madu River Safari at Balapitiya organized by Look Lanka Tours! The experience was truly unique and gave us a wonderful glimpse into the natural beauty and wildlife of Sri Lanka. The boat ride along the Madu River was peaceful and scenic, surrounded by lush mangroves and the sounds of nature. We also got to visit small islands and observe local villages, which made the experience even more special.
Our guide, Sandun, was fantastic—he provided insightful information about the river ecosystem, wildlife, and the history of the area. He made sure we got the best views and took plenty of time to explain everything we were seeing. We also had the chance to spot some incredible wildlife, including exotic birds and even monitor lizards.
The entire tour was smooth, well-organized, and a true highlight of my visit to the area. I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Sri Lanka. Thank you, Look Lanka Tours, for a memorable experience!
Operator response
Thank you so much for your kind words and for sharing your experience with us! 😊 We’re thrilled to hear that you had such a fantastic time on the Madu River Safari. It’s truly a special place, and we’re delighted that you enjoyed the peaceful boat ride, the lush mangroves, and the chance to explore the local islands.
We’ll be sure to pass your appreciation on to Sandun—he’ll be so happy to know that his insights and guidance made your tour even more memorable. Spotting exotic wildlife like birds and monitor lizards is always an exciting part of the journey!
It was a pleasure organizing this experience for you, and we hope to welcome you back to Sri Lanka for more amazing adventures in the future.
Best regards,
Chinthaka
Look Lanka Tours
A
ANAND K
December 10, 2019 · via Tripadvisor
Awesome experience - get a long lens camera
Bring along a camera with a long lens. You are going to see a lot of birds and up really close. From monitor lizard to a Kingfisher, you will see them all on this fantastic river safari that lasts about an hour. We took the boat from a place that's about 20 minutes from the Taj hotel in Bentota. Lovely experience.
2 people found this helpful
Operator response
Thanks so much for sharing your experience with us. We hope to see you again soon
A
arnoldahmed
February 18, 2019 · via Tripadvisor
Worth for the Price but...
The price is really worth it. Almost 2 hours but not much of a mangrove. They will stop at two locations to see how cinamon is made and fish spa. Overall is ok as it was very affordable.The best part is they allow 2 persons for one boat.
2 people found this helpful
Operator response
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave an excellent rating. We really appreciate your business. Please let us know what we can do for you in the future.
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