Bentota River safari
A boat trip through mangroves and quiet backwaters to spot birds and monitor lizards.
West Coast · Sri Lanka
Bentota, river, lagoon and golden sand.
Bentota sits where a river meets the sea on Sri Lanka's west coast. Long beaches, river safaris and water sports make it a popular, easy-to-reach beach stop, close to Colombo and the airport.
What to see
The highlights of Bentota.
Water sports
Jet skiing, windsurfing and banana-boat rides on the calm river lagoon.
Geoffrey Bawa's gardens
Lunuganga and the Brief Garden, the landscaped estates of Sri Lanka's famous architect and his brother.
Turtle hatcheries
Conservation hatcheries along the coast at nearby Kosgoda.
When to go
Best time to visit
Usually driest and calmest from about November to April. The south-west monsoon brings rougher seas from around May to September.
How long
How many nights
Two to three nights, often at the end of a round trip before the airport.
Getting there
Travel by private car
About one and a half hours by private car from Colombo on the Southern Expressway, and around two hours from the airport.
Published Navigeto journeys
Private tours that include Bentota.
Every route can be changed: the number of nights, hotels, pace and stops.
- Family Explorer · 3-Star Option6 days · 5 nights
- Family Explorer · 4-Star Option6 days · 5 nights
- Island Introduction4 days · 3 nights
- Safari to Mirissa8 days · 7 nights
- Kandy to the Wild8 days · 7 nights
- Sigiriya to the Sea8 days · 7 nights
- Highlands to Coast Express5 days · 4 nights
- Sigiriya & Kandy Shores6 days · 5 nights
- Sigiriya Island Panorama13 days · 12 nights
- Bentota Mini Escape3 days · 2 nights
- Coast to Kandy4 days · 3 nights
- Kandy Lakes & Shores4 days · 3 nights
Good to know
Bentota questions, answered.
Is Bentota good for families?
Yes. The beaches, river safari and water sports suit families, and the short transfer to the airport keeps the last day easy.
How far is Bentota from the airport?
Roughly two hours by private car, depending on traffic.
What is the best month for Bentota?
From about November to April the weather is usually sunnier and the sea calmer.
Start planning
Add Bentota to your Sri Lanka trip.
Tell us your dates and who is travelling. A Sri Lanka specialist will suggest a route, hotels and a private car, with a clear quotation.
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