Bentota Watersports

Jet-ski, kayak and river-safari where the Bentota lagoon meets the west-coast sea.

What the Bentota Watersports is really like.

Bentota, on the west coast, pairs a long golden beach with a broad river lagoon, making it the island's watersports hub. The calm estuary is the place for jet-skiing, banana boats, water-skiing and stand-up paddle, while a boat safari upriver winds through mangrove tunnels alive with monitor lizards, kingfishers and the odd crocodile. The beach itself is wide and swimmable in the November-to-April season. It is an easy, active day within reach of Colombo.

At a glance

Best season: November – April
Typical duration: Full day
Region: 1

Moment by moment

How the day unfolds.

Step 01
Onto the lagoon
Start on the calm, broad Bentota river mouth, the sheltered water that makes the watersports possible.
Step 02
Jet-ski and banana boat
Open up on a jet-ski or hang on for a banana-boat ride across the flat estuary water.
Step 03
Paddle the calm water
Switch to a kayak or stand-up paddleboard for a quieter glide along the river's edge.
Step 04
Mangrove river safari
Take a boat upriver through cool mangrove tunnels to spot monitor lizards, kingfishers and crocodiles.
Step 05
Beach to finish
Cross to the wide ocean beach for a swim and an easy lunch under the palms.