Scenic Boat Safari in Madu Ganga, Balapitiya

By : Dinesh Deckker

Contact the Author : 0716 – 818740 | dineshdsd@gmail.com

• There are lots of Boat Operators in Balapitiya and be sure to compare prices
• Ask the boat operator for the complete boat ride (1 1\2 hours)
• Full boat ride includes visit to “Kothduwa Rajamaha Viharaya”, Few Islands, ride through mangrove forests and Place where Madu Ganga meets the Ocean
• Leave only Foot prints
• BOAT RIDE BOOKING INFORMATION
  

This travelogue is dedicated for my lovely wife Subhashini

WATCH MADU GANGA BOAT RIDE VIDEOS

We started the journey from Colombo around 8AM and the crew was four. We used a Suzuki Swift as our transportation.

The drive to Balapitiya was quite effortless and the Galle road was in pretty good shape. Although it is good be sure to stay in the speed limit. Because occasionally you find traffic cops waiting for you to speed!

We stopped to get blessings from “Kaluthara Temple”

Interior of Kaluthara Temple

We arrived at Balapitiya around 11AM and got quotations from many places and lowest quotation we got from “ Jayantha Boat Service” . It was Rs2000 for the full boat ride and their contact numbers are 091-2257638 / 077-9823999 and ask for Mr:Jayantha De Silva

Me & My crew before the boat ride

Few of the 64 Islands in Madu Ganga

Islands cover 915Ha altogether and there are 64 islands of various sizes. The average depth is 3 meters.

We couldn’t believe our eyes it was so beautiful and a rewarding experience. The largest island is known as “Ma Doowa” which is the largest inhabited island within the country and about 300 families live there. The smallest is called “Satha Paha Doowa”. According to folklore this islet had been purchased for five cents but some say the name has derived due to its shape.

“Sathapaha Duwa” – Smallest Island in Madu ganga

Bridge connecting  “Ma Duwa”to Balapitiya

We stopped near the Bridge connecting “Ma Duwa” to Balapitiya and it is wide enough to travel in a 3 wheeler. But it is a great creation and it is the longest bridge I have seen in Sri Lanka.

Madu Ganga has high ecological, biological and aesthetic significance, being home to 303 species of plants belonging to 95 families and to 248 species of vertebrate animals. It might be one of the last remaining tracts of pristine mangrove forests in Sri Lanka.

Entering mangrove Forest Its a Different World Inside a Mangrove Forest

Nature as its Best - Inside Mangroves Forest

We also visited the The Kothduwa temple, or Koth Duwa Raja Maha Viharaya located on Kothduwa Island on the Maduganga River. It is a unique experience and monks use boats for transportation. As we heard The Buddhist Amarapura Nikaya sect had its first upasampada (higher ordination ceremony) on a fleet of boats anchored upon it in 1803.

Koth Duwa Temple Wow…Incredible Place.. isn’t it??

Steps into the Water

On Our journey we were able to see some traditional fisherman and traditional Fishing Kraals (ja-kotu) set up to trap lagoon prawns.

“ Ambu Daru Raka Ganna Apata Malu Laba Denna
Deviyane Apa Rakaganna”

Also we were fortunate to witness a demonstration of peeling cinnamon and producing cinnamon oil. You will be able to buy cinnamon related products but it is damn expensive. Ask the boatman if you like to see a demonstration and he will take you to the island.

Have a Safe Journey…..