
Bentota River Safari
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.
Non-refundable booking. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 11 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Bentota River Safari worth booking?
Bentota River Safari is a 2-hour experience in Galle, Sri Lanka, from $65 per person. It scores 52 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 11 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 52 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (11)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $65 per person
• Pickup from Hotel (8.00 am and 4.00 pm is the best time to do the boat safari) • Visit the Mangrove Lagoon • You can See Water monitors, birds, and insects • Take Photos with Baby Crocodile • Return to hotel *Im
What you get
About this experience
• Pickup from Hotel (8.00 am and 4.00 pm is the best time to do the boat safari) • Visit the Mangrove Lagoon • You can See Water monitors, birds, and insects • Take Photos with Baby Crocodile • Return to hotel *Important This price includes free pickup only for Bentota Hotels Only
What's included
Included
- Local guide
- All taxes, fees and handling charges
- Driver/guide
Not included
- Food and drinks
What you'll see and do
Day Tours Sri Lanka
If you are looking to gain a unique experience of lagoon safari witnessing mangroves and some rare animals including crocodiles,Water Monitors ,Monkeys ,Coma rants ect. Bentota River Safari is the best activity for the travelers who are in Bentota and surroundings. If you are looking to gain a unique experience of lagoon safari witnessing mangroves and some rare animals including crocodiles,Water Monitors ,Monkeys ,Coma rants ect. Bentota River Safari is the best activity for the travelers who are in Bentota and surroundings. Bentota River Safari package is included free pick up and drop off to any places in Bentota, Aluthgama , Induruwa , Beruwala & Kosgoda or Ahungalla. This is a full package which includes entrance fees, activity charges, transportation and taxes for above mentioned activities & attractions. No extra will be charged.
Pass by without stopping
Bentota River
During Bentota River Safari you will get unforgettable impressions while exploring the unique mangroves. Many beautiful birds live in the mangrove woods, such as halcyons and very rare species of white herons. During this trip you will see monitor lizards, fruit bats, you may also see a big crocodile. Trip duration is 1 to 3 hours. If tourists wish, the boat can move to the place where Bentota river flows into the open ocean (don’t worry, it is completely safe and just for a short time).
120 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Galle
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Before you book
- Cancellation
- All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- daytoursrilanka
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Dress code is smart casual
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 11 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
5 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Traveler reviews
11 verified traveler reviews for Bentota River Safari. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Unforgettable 😩❤️
Beautiful Bentota River safari experience! 🌿🛶 We had a wonderful boat ride through the mangroves and enjoyed the peaceful natural surroundings. The views were amazing, and it was a great opportunity to experience Sri Lanka’s unique wildlife and ecosystem. A relaxing and memorable experience that I would highly recommend!
via Tripadvisor
Great morning fishing
Had a fabulous morning fishing, the captain and his mate Gayan and Samira were lovely and very patient with me as I am a novice, they pointed out interesting animals and places on the way, we all caught fish even me, highly recommend this trip
Response from the operator: Thank you 🙏
via Tripadvisor
Travel on the Bentota River
With an Isa, the tour is interesting, comfortable, safe! Definitely recommended! The guide is punctual.
via Tripadvisor (translated)
Sri Lanka Safari Legend!!
Being a guide in South Africa, I had high expectations on this safari, well well... From start to finish our guide Gimhana was amazing, didn't follow the vehicles to just show us what was in the park, created an experience on our expectations. He was attentive, informative and catered far beyond what we expected to see. This is something you have to do. Book this experience and you cannot go wrong! Read this review and book immediately! When I come back, I'm booking this again! Work much love from South Africa ❤️
via Tripadvisor
A great river safari.
Excellent 2 hour trip. Lots of wildlife including crocodiles, water monitors, snakes, monkeys, birds and more. Pick up from the hotel included.
Response from the operator: Thank you 🙏🙏😊
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Non-refundable
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $65 to $80
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 4
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 52
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Bentota River Safari: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Galle.
How much does Bentota River Safari cost?
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Prices start at $65 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Galle usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Bentota River Safari take?
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Plan for about 2 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Galle is not rushed.
Is Bentota River Safari worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 52 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 11 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Galle, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Bentota River Safari?
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No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.
Is Bentota River Safari suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Bentota River Safari?
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Around 4 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Galle can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Galle and add a light layer if any part of the 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Bentota River Safari start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Galle within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Galle?
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On Outty we rank every Galle experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Full day / Half Day WildlifeAdventure in Yala-National-Park, Special leopard & Elephants safari - Yala - 04.30 am to 11.30 am, Sea waves sri lankan cooking class. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Galle?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Galle?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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