Mangrove Forest
Explore the largest mangrove ecosystem in Negombo Lagoon.
Things to Do
in Negombo
The Ultimate Guide to Negombo, Sri Lanka
Negombo, Sri Lanka
10 min from BIA Airport
Lagoon · Beach · Culture · Wildlife
Licensed & Insured
4.9/5 Rating
Instant Confirmation
Free Cancellation
Local Expert Guides
Safe & Secure
Negombo's Best Kept Secret
Negombo Lagoon Boat Safari
Of all the things to do in Negombo, nothing comes close to exploring the lagoon by boat. Glide across one of Sri Lanka’s most beautiful and biodiverse waterways on a guided 2-hour boat safari — through lush mangrove forests, past traditional fishing villages, out to the wild shores of Monkey Island, and along the historic Dutch Canal that has wound through Negombo since the 17th century.
Watch wild toque macaque monkeys gather at the water’s edge, step into the shallow lagoon waters, collect fresh oysters straight from the lagoon floor, and spot exotic birds nesting in the mangroves. Whether you have two hours or two days in Negombo, this is the one experience that every visitor remembers long after they leave.
Refreshments included. From just $20 per person. Departs daily from the Main Tourist Boat Jetty — just 10 minutes from Bandaranaike International Airport.
Tour Highlights
Bird Watching
Spot a variety of local and migratory birds in their natural habitat.
Monkey Island
Visit the famous Monkey Island and see wild monkeys.
Lagoon Relax Point
Stop at the calm open lagoon and soak in the peaceful surroundings.
Fishing Village
See traditional fishing villages and local fishermen at work.
Amazing Sunset
Enjoy stunning sunset views over the lagoon (afternoon tours).
Tour Itinerary (2 Hours)
04:30 PM
04:30 PM
01
Meet Your
Captain
Captain
04:30 PM
04:30 PM
02
Boat
Departure
Departure
04:35 PM
04:35 PM
03
Kothalawala
Bridge
Bridge
04:40 PM
04:40 PM
04
Lagoon
Mouth
Mouth
04:45 PM
04:45 PM
05
Negombo
Fish Market
Fish Market
04:50 PM
04:50 PM
06
Tsunami
Lagoon View
Lagoon View
04:55 PM
04:55 PM
07
Winson
Island
Island
05:10 PM
05:10 PM
08
Lagoon
Relax Point
Relax Point
05:10 PM
05:10 PM
09
Shallow Water
Walking
Walking
05:40 PM
05:40 PM
10
Monkey's
Island
Island
06:10 PM
06:10 PM
11
Mangrove
Forest
Forest
06:20 PM
06:20 PM
12
Fishing
Village
Village
06:30 PM
06:30 PM
13
Return &
Tour Ends
Tour Ends
Gallery
About Negombo Lagoon Boat Tour
Of all the things to do in Negombo, nothing comes close to exploring the lagoon by boat. Glide across one of Sri Lanka's most beautiful and biodiverse waterways on a guided 2-hour boat safari — through lush mangrove forests, past traditional fishing villages, out to the wild shores of Monkey Island, and along the historic Dutch Canal that has wound through Negombo since the 17th century.
Watch wild toque macaque monkeys gather at the water's edge, step into the shallow lagoon waters, collect fresh oysters straight from the lagoon floor, and spot exotic birds nesting in the mangroves. Whether you have two hours or two days in Negombo, this is the one experience that every visitor remembers long after they leave.
Refreshments included. From just $20 per person. Departs daily from the Main Tourist Boat Jetty — just 10 minutes from Bandaranaike International Airport.
couples & solo travelers
modern boats
equipment on board
experienced guides
Book Your Tour
$20
/ Person
- 2 Hours Boat Tour
- Professional Local Guide
- Life Jacket
- Card Payments Accepted
- All Taxes & Service Charges
All included
What's Included in Your Tour
Experiences & Destinations
- Monkey Island
- Shallow Water Walking
- Mangrove Islands
- Historic Dutch Canal
- Wild Bird Watching
- Traditional Fishing Village
- Oyster Catching Demo
- Lagoon Mouth & Indian Ocean
Included Free
- Premium Bottled Water
- Tropical Fruit Platter
- Free Fruit Juice
- A-grade Local Tour Guide
- All Taxes & Service Charges
- Insurance Coverage
Safety & Convenience
- Modern Safe Tourist Boats
- Licensed & Insured
- Life Jackets & Safety Equipment
- Experienced Boat Captains
- Online & Card Payments
- Private & Group Tours
- 10 min from Bandaranaike Airport
Not Included
Drop-off, unless specially arranged
Meals or additional food
Personal expenses
Tips for guide or boat crew
Entrance fees, if applicable
Extra time beyond 2-hour package
Activities not mentioned in the package
Pickup outside the covered Negombo area
Ready to Explore Negombo Lagoon?
Book your adventure today and create unforgettable memories!
What Our Guests Say
★★★★★
"Super fun boat trip past the fishermen and the fish market. We sailed to a sandbank, then to Monkey Island to spot monkeys! The guide stopped several times so we could see an iguana and monitor lizards. Highly recommended!"
★★★★★
"The best boat ride we had in all of Sri Lanka. Thank you so much for making our last day so special ❤️"
★★★★★
"Boat Tours Sri Lanka made our trip so much more special. The professionalism of the team, combined with the incredible beauty of the lagoon, created a truly unforgettable adventure. We would absolutely do this again."
★★★★★
"This was an experience we will never forget. Exceptional service with such genuine warmth and professionalism. The peaceful surroundings and beautifully curated experience made this one of the best decisions we made while visiting Sri Lanka."
★★★★★
"Everything about this experience was top class. Boat Tours Sri Lanka clearly values customer satisfaction, and it showed in every interaction. The tour was smooth, scenic, and deeply relaxing."
Need to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about things to do in Negombo, Sri Lanka.
The top things to do in Negombo include a Negombo Lagoon Boat Safari, visiting Monkey Island, exploring the historic Dutch Canal, seeing the Negombo Fish Market, relaxing on Negombo Beach, visiting St. Mary's Church and Angurukaramulla Temple, and taking a Negombo City Tuk Tuk Tour. The Negombo Lagoon Boat Safari is consistently rated the number one activity in Negombo on Google with a 4.9 out of 5 rating.
Most travellers spend 1 to 3 days in Negombo. One day is enough for a lagoon boat safari, the fish market, and the beach. Two to three days lets you explore the Dutch Canal, city temples, and enjoy the local food scene at a relaxed pace. Negombo is also a great base for day trips to nearby attractions.
Absolutely. Negombo offers a unique mix of natural beauty, history, culture, and wildlife that few other towns in Sri Lanka can match. The lagoon, Dutch Canal, Monkey Island, fish market, and beaches all make Negombo a destination worth visiting in its own right — not just a stopover near the airport.
Negombo Lagoon is famous for its stunning natural beauty, rich ecosystem of mangrove forests and wildlife, and centuries-old fishing communities. It is also home to Monkey Island — where wild toque macaque monkeys live freely. The lagoon is best explored by boat and is one of the most memorable experiences in Sri Lanka.
Negombo can be visited year-round. The best weather is from November to April when skies are clear and the lagoon is calm. Even during the monsoon season (May to September), lagoon tours run daily and the dramatic skies create some of the most beautiful scenery of the year.
Negombo is approximately 7 to 10 kilometres from Bandaranaike International Airport — just 10 to 15 minutes by car. This makes it the closest beach and lagoon destination to the airport in Sri Lanka, and a perfect first or last stop on any Sri Lanka itinerary.
Yes — but only by boat. Monkey Island is a small, uninhabited island inside Negombo Lagoon, accessible exclusively by water. It is home to a thriving colony of wild toque macaque monkeys who live freely in the trees. Boat Tours Sri Lanka includes Monkey Island as a highlight stop on the Negombo Lagoon Boat Safari.
Negombo is famous for its fresh seafood — particularly prawns, crabs, and fish caught daily from the lagoon and the ocean. The Negombo Fish Market is one of the busiest in Sri Lanka and a must-visit for food lovers. Local restaurants along the beach and lagoon serve some of the freshest seafood in the country.
Book directly at boattourssrilanka.com, via WhatsApp on +94 71 939 5999, or by emailing [email protected]. Instant confirmation provided. We accept Visa, MasterCard, AMEX, eZcash, mCash, and Internet Banking. Tours depart from the Main Tourist Boat Jetty, Negombo — 10 minutes from Bandaranaike International Airport.
Yes, Negombo is considered one of the safest and most tourist-friendly towns in Sri Lanka. It has a well-established tourism infrastructure, friendly locals, and a wide range of accommodation, restaurants, and activities for international visitors.
The Dutch Canal is a historic waterway built in the 17th century by Dutch colonisers, connecting Negombo Lagoon to a wider canal network along Sri Lanka's western coast. Originally a trading route, it is now a beautiful and peaceful waterway best explored by boat — a highlight of the Negombo Lagoon Boat Safari.
Yes. We are a fully licensed, insured, and safety-certified tour operator and a registered social enterprise. Every booking directly supports a local boat-owning fishing family. Our guides are experienced English-speaking locals. Rated 4.9/5 on Google with 120+ reviews.