Poling through Pottuvil's mangrove lagoon

Arugam Bay in southeast Sri Lanka is fairly well known for surfing and other water sports, but you’ll be missing something extraordinary if you don’t take a nearby mangrove eco-tour in the village of Pottuvil. The tour is by outrigger, polled through the mangrove waters by local people, is managed by the Hidiyapuram Fisheries Cooperative Society, and takes approximately two hours, with two brief stops along the way. Your ticket assists the Society to replenish mangrove flora, caring for wildlife, and assists in the livelihoods of people living adjacent to the lagoon. You can book a tour from any hotel, and a tuk-tuk will arrive to drop you off at the lagoon dock, and take you back. 

The only sounds in the lagoon are the sound of the outrigger being pulled through  the water, and the ever-present birdlife. Here, you’ll see four types of kingfishers, cormorants, sea eagles, and spoonbills, among others. Fish-eating snakes and crocodiles live below the water. There are 27 species of mangrove plants here. And you’ll see a number of tiny fishing huts and lean-tos along the way… it’s a working lagoon. 

Sunset casts a wonderful glow on the rocks comprising the eastern border of the lagoon

In the afternoon, the setting sun casts a beautiful red glow on the rocks occupying the eastern border of the lagoon. We here at WoWasis recommend the tour as a great getaway from the hubbub of Arugam Bay, especially in high season, and supports local people in their quest to provide for their families in a manner that complements the environment.