Bentota

The river town the coast road passes through. Slow down here.

Bentota sits at the confluence of the Bentota River and the Indian Ocean --- a lagoon town with a river on one side and a beach on the other. Brief Gardé, a Dutch colonial mansion at the river mouth, gives Bentota its correct architectural tone.

Experiences at this stop

• Bentota River boat --- mangrove safari

A two-hour boat journey through mangrove channels that progressively narrow until the canopy closes above. Kingfishers, water monitors, estuarine crocodiles at close range and low speed.

• Beach day --- west coast swimming

Bentota beach between November and April has calm, flat, warm water --- ideal for swimming and paddleboarding.

• Sea turtle conservation --- Kosgoda

A genuine research and rehabilitation effort for five sea turtle species. The experience of watching a loggerhead hatchling enter the Indian Ocean for the first time is not theatrical.