Things to do in Tangalle: Kayak in Nature

Tangalle is perfect for travellers looking for a spot off the beaten tourist track. Find out what nature lovers can do in this beautiful corner of Sri Lanka. 

Tangalle is already an oasis within Sri Lanka, but there is an even smaller oasis hiding within. The lagoon in Tangalle is a small body of water, nestled just behind the Yoga Tangalle studio. From land, you can already observe its beauty but for an experience to truly immerse you in nature, you can take a kayak and journey across the lagoon, right on the water’s surface. 

Monkeys and lizards and birds, oh my! 

With the kayak you can travel under a hideaway of tangled mangrove branches, with patches of light peeking through the leaves. With twisting trunks and hanging leaves that are close enough to reach, it almost feels like burrowing through a giant bird’s nest. And if birds are your thing, you will thoroughly enjoy travelling to the lagoon’s outer edge where there is a peaceful congregation of birds, resting in their waterside home. You can look out for ibis, egrets, storks and even ginormous pelicans! And if you paddle gently and quietly, you may be able to get close enough to spot some tiny chicks chirping in their nest. Other creatures that you can look out for as you travel are water monitors, which are large swimming lizards with yellow markings on their back, and grey langurs, the most common type of monkey living in the area. Keep your eye out for these little glimpses of life hiding in plain sight. 

Full-speed kayak or slow and relaxing, the choice is yours!

As you journey around, it is your choice whether you want to go at a relaxing pace to look through every little nook of mangrove forest or you want to work out your arms and go quickly, speeding the kayak through the main lagoon. Remember, for tandem kayaks, the person in the back has to work the hardest so be mindful of this before you decide to whizz around full-speed! Also be aware that you will get wet during this activity, especially if you are going at a fast pace, so you may want to consider a change of clothes and a dry bag to make life easier for yourself. 

Nature under a painted sky

The best times to head out onto the lagoon are sunrise and sunset, with the world waking up or starting to slow down around you. Feel the peace of Tangalle, floating effortlessly on the water’s surface, with a view of the sky painted in Sri Lanka’s bright and colourful palette all around you.