Best Things to Do on a Madu River Boat Safari Madu River boat safari guide — a mangrove and island boat trip near Balapitiya, with cinnamon islands, a temple islet and fish spa stops.
The estuary holds dozens of small islands and dense mangrove forest, a RAMSAR-recognised wetland supporting rich birdlife.
A stop at a small island demonstrating traditional cinnamon peeling and processing, similar to the better-known Bentota version.
A small Buddhist temple sits on one of the estuary's islands, reachable only by boat.
Boats depart from Balapitiya, between Bentota and Hikkaduwa.
A roughly 2-hour boat circuit through mangrove channels, past a cinnamon island, temple islet and a natural fish spa stop.
