Visitors to Sri Lanka and residents alike should take the opportunity to visit the well-known Negombo lagoon. Located approximately 40 km from the capital Colombo, this body of water is a nature lover’s dream, offering verdant natural beauty and an idyllic tranquil ambience. It also offers broad sandy beach areas, which will lure the sun seeker. Negombo lagoon is an expansive estuarine body of water in the district of Gampaha. Having a surface area of no less than 3164 hectares, it is considered to be a part of the large coastal wetland, which also includes the Muthurajawela marshland. The lagoon connects with the sea through a small channel close to Negombo town and is fed by a canal as well as several streams.
A distinctive feature of the region is the luxuriant mangrove swamps, which provide a living environment for various flora and fauna. Bird watchers will have the pleasure of seeing avian life such as herons, cormorants, gulls, egrets, terns and diverse other kinds of shorebirds. The lagoon is bordered by inhabited areas including coconut plantations, paddy fields and grasslands. Many residents of the region make their living through agriculture and fishery. Visitors may also take the opportunity to explore the quaint Negombo town, which is considered to be a typical fishing town in Sri Lanka. With so much seafood readily available, it is not surprising that the locale is noted for its delectable seafood dishes.
The town is also noted for its industries such as ceramics, brassware and spices. Negombo is also a noteworthy tourist destination as it offers many interesting sights for the visitor. In fact, it has been called ‘Little Rome’ due to the numerous picturesque Catholic churches to be found here, dating from the Portuguese-era colonial period. Other scenic attractions in the area include the Dutch canal and the Dutch fort gate, which dates to 1672. With all these attractions, there is no doubt that the region is a much-admired area of the country.
Visitors searching for a comfortable hotel in Negombo will find an attractive choice in Club Hotel Dolphin. This convenient Negombo hotel offers well-appointed accommodations with many amenities.
Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and hopes to visit them all someday.