Like the rest of its natural beauty, Sri Lanka has yet another attraction to introduce to you for your next Sri Lankan trip- or your first! The Batticaloa Lagoon is a vast body of water stretching for miles and harbouring marine life. It is becoming a source of work for humans, for food, agriculture, etc., and gives absolute beauty to the surrounding area. The beautiful lagoon will provide you with an experience you will remember for quite some time. The serenity of the waters, the fishes beneath your boat, fishermen fishing for those same fishes for food, and the mangroves entangled into each other. So join us in this journey of conquering the lagoon’s beauty with our friends, family, and loved ones.
Exquisite Lagoon Of Sri Lanka: The Batticaloa Lagoon
Image Credit: Anton Croos for Wikimedia Commons
Batticaloa is a town on an island miles southeast of the eastern coast of Sri Lanka. The city and the island are famous for their distinguished and rich culture, traditions, and beautifully dense and thick nature. Batticaloa Lagoon, however, is the largest lagoon in Sri Lanka, stretching for a vast 56 kilometres in length and at least 4 kilometres in width. The lagoon supplies water to the nearby areas. Many fishermen will fish here because it is the largest waterbody around them.
The lagoon has a diverse range of flora and fauna species, including fish species, which are present in relatively large numbers. The beautifully planted mangrove forests protect human life from the sea and provide an incredible ecosystem around the lagoon.
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Adventurous Things To Do At Batticaloa Lagoon
Unleash your inner adventurer by engaging in thrilling activities at Batticaloa Lagoon. Some of these include the following:
1. Boating Tours
Boating in the lagoon is the perfect chance for people to explore different parts and enjoy the exciting information and scenery. A local guide will join the group for this tour so visitors and tourists can get the best experience.
Due to the lagoon’s vast ecosystem with many creatures, the guide can provide tourists with specific insights about birds, fish, mangroves, and the people and their relationship with the lagoon. Some tours will also include spots on smaller islands within the lagoon so you can explore their beauty and works. The boating tours will give you an all-around experience, and you can enjoy them.
2. Wildlife And Landscape Photography
Image Credit: Ashwin Kumar for Wikimedia Commons
The Batticaloa Lagoon is a place of nature, with marine life in its waters, thick, dense forests, mangroves, and rare flora and fauna decorating its lands and surroundings. You will likely find the creature roaming around, or you will find a spot where you can see the lagoon’s most beautiful setting. And so, photographers can find complete joy in this part of Sri Lanka.
Each part of the lagoon has different species living in it and different land types, so photographers can find other spots to stand in with the most magnificent visuals. The colour of the water can also differ, and the vegetation around it is something one can see. The sunrises and sunsets are magnificent in this part of the island.
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3. Fishing Experiences
Image Credit: Rajsekar~commonswiki for Wikimedia Commons
Fishing in Batticaloa is not just for the residents’ livelihood and food but also an exciting activity for visitors and tourists. The lagoon harbours a large fish population. You can see common species of fish like the pufferfish, catfish, sea bass, etc., and different parts of the lagoon will have various species because it is such a large body of water. Locals depend on the lagoon, and tourists and visitors can enjoy it as well.
This can allow people to understand the fishermen’s techniques when catching fish. Another event that takes place from April to September is called the ‘Singing Fish’. It’s when a faint melody-like noise is heard from the lagoon’s waters by the Kallady Bridge. Those interested in mystery and nature’s phenomena can witness this event.
4. Canoeing And Kayaking
With magnificent scenery around them, people wishing to experience the experience a little more hands-on can canoe and kayak the lagoon. When you are on your own in the canoe, you can explore the lagoon in your own time, at your own pace, and visit the spots you might not get to visit during the guided tours.
You can see things from a different perspective almost because you wouldn’t have a guide telling you the facts, but you can be subjective to the experience of the waters, of the other fishes and sea creatures and birds you might get to see. And so you can look closer at the land and sea life.
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5. Mangrove Forests And Bird-Watching
The lagoon becomes the perfect place to bird watch with its thick forests and various species of birds, plants, and sea creatures, especially during the migrating season. Some parts of the lagoon are ideal for bird-watching for professionals or those who know what they are looking for.
Others who aren’t as experienced can go with a local guide who can help identify the different species of birds. It is recommended that you take cameras or binoculars for a closer view. Simultaneously, you can enjoy touring the mangrove forests, which are known to maintain the lagoon’s ecosystem and protect human life from substantial impacts coming from the sea. The mangroves are also where many fish live.
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Now that you have discovered the various attractions and numerous sightseeing spots on the Batticaloa Lagoon let’s make your vacation a reality and plan your trip to Sri Lanka for a serene experience with Sri Lanka’s lagoons and various other famous spots.
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Cover Image Credit: Anton Croos for Wikimedia Commons
Frequently Asked Questions About Batticaloa Lagoon
When is the best time to come to Batticaloa Lagoon for bird watching?
You can enjoy the incredible scenery and catch sight of rare birds during the migrating seasons in Sri Lanka. The best months would be from November to March. During the day, you should go in the early morning or late afternoon, when there is most activity.
What kinds of clothing should I wear when I visit the lagoon?
For daytime activities, it’s best to wear light clothes that allow you to move around a lot since you are likely to be a bit active, walking, kayaking, etc. But if you are going on a boat tour through the mangroves, wearing full-sleeved T-shirts and pants is best to avoid being bit by insects.
Are there good seafood restaurants nearby?
Yes, there are many. Because fishing is very prominent in the town, many restaurants around you sell delicious local seafood dishes.
Are the local people friendly there?
Yes, they are always ready to answer questions and provide you with important information about particular places and when you should visit them. You could even find out about places you missed.
What are other attractions near Batticaloa Lagoon?
There is the Batticaloa Fort, a 17th-century Dutch fort; Pasikuda Beach, where you can enjoy the coral reefs and marine life; and Batticaloa town, where you can shop, eat, and enjoy its amenities.
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