Bentota
Western Province
Photo via Unsplash. Image credits
About Bentota
Bentota sits where the Bentota Ganga meets the sea about 65 kilometres south of Colombo, and that geography shapes the whole place: a long open beach on one side of the sandspit, a sheltered river lagoon on the other. The lagoon is where the water sports happen - jet skis, windsurfing, wakeboarding, banana boats - because it stays flat when the sea does not, which also makes this one of the easier south-coast stops for families. It is close enough to the airport to be a first or last night rather than a long haul, and the coastal railway from Colombo Fort drops you ten minutes from the sand. Just south, the Madu River opens into a mangrove estuary dotted with small islands, including one holding a working temple, and an early boat trip through the channels is the best birdwatching within an hour of the west coast. The area is also Geoffrey Bawa country: his Lunuganga estate and his brother's Brief Garden are both a short drive inland.
Top Activities
- ✓Water sports (jet ski, kite surf, windsurfing)
- ✓Madu River mangrove boat safari
- ✓Ayurveda spa treatments
- ✓Geoffrey Bawa architecture tour
- ✓Sea turtle hatchery visit
- ✓Kosgoda turtle watch
Nearby Attractions
Closest Places in This Guide
Straight-line distances; allow considerably longer by road, especially in the hills.
Travel Tips
Take the coastal train from Colombo - scenic and cheap.
Book Ayurveda packages in advance at the resort spas.
Visit Madu River in the early morning for best birdlife.
Quick Info
Best Time
November to April
Weather
Sunny and warm November–April. Monsoon May–October.
Estimated Daily Budget
6.4211°N, 79.9978°E
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