Muthurajawela Marsh
මුතුරාජවෙල
A mangrove wetland between Colombo and Negombo, where boat trips reveal waterbirds, monitor lizards and macaques.
Muthurajawela Marsh is one of Sri Lanka's largest coastal peat wetlands. It connects to Negombo Lagoon, and its mangrove waterways are home to over a hundred bird species, including kingfishers, herons and cormorants, as well as water monitor lizards, purple-faced langurs and crocodiles. The visitor centre offers boat tours lasting about 1 to 1.5 hours. Early morning or late afternoon offers soft light and more active wildlife. It is about 20 km from Colombo and can be combined with a day trip to Negombo. Bring mosquito repellent.
Opening hours
About 07:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- Sri Ponnambalavaneswaram Kovil
- St. Anthony's Shrine, Kochchikade
- Negombo
- Wolvendaal Church
- Jami Ul-Alfar Mosque (Red Mosque)
- Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara
- Dutch Period Museum
- Pettah Market