Kalametiya Bird Sanctuary - Bird Watching & Ecotourism — Attraction in Southern Province

We had 2+ hours on a well-maintained Paddling Catamaran at the lagoon of Kalametiya coastal wetland. Although we don’t have much knowledge of birds, the guide (who spoke very good English) had a great knowledge of birds, other inhabitants and plants/trees of this wetland, and he showed and explained everything around us. He was very quick to spot birds and immediately provided us with valuable information about a particular bird. Also, he had some books about birds, and we were able to read about a particular bird we saw. Binoculars were given to us at the start of the boat ride, but it was not necessary for us to use it as most of the time the birds were within our vicinity. We had the feeling we saw lots of various birds, plants and other inhabitants of this beautiful wetland.

The pick-up service (from nearby hotels/accommodations) was included in the price. Our reservation was for the afternoon/evening tour (starting at 16:00 hrs). It took us about 10 minutes to get to the starting point/jetty from our accommodation. We were welcomed on board by the guide and the “Captain” of the boat. They were very friendly, helpful and we felt that we were well looked after.

Around halfway of our tour, we had a small break. We enjoyed the Srilankan traditional cookies (Kokis), freshly made, lady finger bananas provided by the tour organisers.

For us this boat tour was a slow and relaxing boat ride without any disturbing noises except the birds and sometimes the waves of the sea. It was so quiet and calm boat ride as our Captain was manoeuvring the boat very smoothly.

It was an unforgettable experience spending some peaceful time in the nature surrounded by water, birds, plants and trees more than a bird...

One of the 'must do's' in the Hambantota region is to take a bird-watching safari on the Kalametiya Lagoon near the village of Gurupokuna. I have been lucky enough to experience this a number of times and with various boat operators but by far the most personable, well informed and experienced is Mr. Gayan Geeth. Having been born virtually on the shores of Kalametia he has grown up with the plethora of flora and fauna of the area and knows it like the back of his hand. Gayans English is superb which is crucial for a proper bird-watching experience. Another aspect of Gayans tour which I like very much is that it involves both his mother and father. Mom prepares small snacks for the guests while his father is often the second man paddling the raft with Gayan. Water, life jackets, binoculars and umbrellas/parasols are also provided for the guests comfort and convenience. I am the owner of a small hotel in the area and have been sending my guests out with Gayan since he began as the first lagoon tour guide in 2006 with 100% of them returning with glowing reports. So, to steal the slogan from a well know shoe manufacturer , "Just do it, and do it with Gayan, you wont be...

I went on a bird watching tour in this mangrove lake, and it was an unforgettable experience. The guide, Gayan, was incredibly friendly and professional. He picked me up directly from my hotel, which made everything so convenient.

The tour was conducted on a small boat paddled by a skilled boat driver, while Gayan served as the guide. He has an impressive eye for spotting birds and brought along some very helpful tools, including a bird app that identified birds by their calls and appearances. He also provided snacks, water, an umbrella, and a pair of binoculars, ensuring I had everything I needed for a comfortable experience.

During the tour, I saw numerous bird species, a giant squirrel, and immersed myself in the tranquil beauty of nature. The peacefulness of the lake and the symphony of bird songs were simply magical.

I highly recommend this tour to anyone who loves nature or birdwatching, and I would absolutely do it again if I...