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Lagoon view-by Jayangi pamodya-

Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Negombo Lagoon

Located in Negombo, southwest Sri Lanka, the Negombo Lagoon is a sizable estuarine lagoon. A canal and many small rivers feed the lagoon.

In the vicinity of Negombo city, it is connected to the sea by a little channel to the north. It is surrounded by a region that is highly populated and has grassland, coconut plantations, and rice fields.

Agriculture and fishing are practiced on the land. A large variety of water birds, including cormorants, herons, egrets, gulls, terns, and other waders, are drawn to the lagoon’s extensive mangrove swamps.

Some adjacent towns include Seeduwa, Katunayake, and Negombo. The fishing community in Negombo enjoys lagoon fishing.

The taste and demand for lagoon crabs and prawns are both very high. Here are fascinating facts about Negombo Lagoon.

1. Negombo lagoon served as a shelter for various naval vessels

Negambo Lagoon, Sri Lanka. Where boats come to rest-by Deshan Ruhunage-

Negombo was once a well-known and active port in Sri Lanka. Different naval boats would find cover in the Negombo lagoon.

Large amounts of cinnamon were shipped from this port, which is thought to have been the primary driver of the Portuguese conquest.

After the Portuguese were expelled, the Dutch assumed control. The canal, which finally connects to the Negombo Lagoon and is still in use today despite the two nations’ ability to reach a truce, is still known as the Dutch Canal.

It is around 100 kilometers long. Today, Sri Lanka has a stunning seaside resort.

2. The lagoon is a tourist hotspot

Negombo Lagoon Wildlife-by Achim Ebenau-

Visitors can take an exciting boat ride around the lagoon. Even motorboat rides can be taken on the backwaters.

Visitors can take part in activities like seeing birds, crocodiles, monkeys, and other exotic animals while on the boat excursion, which will take them over the entire region.

The visitors may be given binoculars to view the migratory birds. In the Dutch canal, one can even go sailing.

Additionally, travelers can stop at the tiny islands in the lagoon to stroll on the chilly sand, take in the landscape, and watch the sunset while sipping fresh coconut water.

Also, the area features a thriving fish market where visitors may peruse the mouthwatering seafood found in the lagoon, including stunning Blue Crabs, Rock Lobsters, oysters, and many others.

There are local English-speaking guides who may accompany you on the trip and provide details about the lagoon’s numerous plant and animal species.

The Negombo region provides water activities including diving and coral reef viewing.

3. The lagoon is home to a variety of aquatic birds

Majestic Darter in flight-by Pasindu Ranasinghe-

Numerous bird species come to Negombo because of the lush vegetation.

The aquatic birds, including cormorants, herons, seagulls, egrets, and others, are frequently seen in the area around the lagoon and during boat rides.

Numerous bird species use the area as a migration route. Monkeys, painted bats, otters, and the rusty-spotted cat are among the other animals.

4. There are numerous mangrove swamps in the lagoon

Real mangrove plants are only found in a few locations, like the Negombo Lagoon.

Fish, prawns, crabs, mollusks, amphibians, and sea reptiles are all prevalent in aquatic life. One-seventeenth of these species is unique to Sri Lanka.

5. It is connected to the sea by a little channel

A single entrance at the confluence of two parallel, narrow channels serves as the lagoon’s only access to the Indian Ocean.

The main channel, which is to the west, is 2 km long, 150 m broad, and has an average depth of 2 m.

The other one is roughly one meter shallow and 20 meters rather narrow. The largest of the thirteen islands in the Canal portion is Munnakarai.

6. A number of small rivers and a canal feed the lagoon

Attanagalu Oya, which flows into the lagoon as Ja-Ela and Dandugam Oya at the southern edge of the estuary, is the main source of fresh water.

In addition, the Hamilton canal is used to enter the lagoon with water from the Kelani River.

The Hamilton Canal’s outflow is negligible and minor when compared to the total freshwater input.

7. How to reach Negombo Lagoon

Negombo is conveniently located for travelers to visit because it is adjacent to the international airport and only a short drive from Colombo.

It takes about an hour to get by bus from Colombo. The distance between Negombo and Bandaranaike airport is only about 10 kilometers.

8. Lagoon fishing is popular among the fishing community in Negombo

Flickr – ronsaunders47 – OFF TO DO SOME FISHING.NEGOMBO SRI LANKA-by Ronald Saunders –

The Negombo lagoon is a significant body of water and a well-known Sri Lankan spot for fishing.

Seer, mullet, pomfret, herring, amberjack, and skipjack are among the lake fish you can catch there.

Common lagoon catches like lobster and shrimp are also available, though these are best taken with nets. The taste and demand for lagoon crabs and prawns are both very high.

9. It is one of Sri Lanka’s most productive and delicate ecosystems

The Negombo Lagoon and its surrounding coastal area have a long history of working with the fishing sector.

Negombo Lagoon’s salinity ranges from absolutely nothing to close to oceanic salinity and is closely correlated with the monsoon rainfall.

According to the trophic status, Negombo Lagoon is in a mesotrophic state.

10. It is surrounded by a region that is highly populated

Negombo Lagoon (Muthurajawela marsh), Sri Lanka – panoramio-byNikolai Maksimovich-

A densely populated region surrounds the area with sprawling rice paddy fields, coconut plantations, grasslands, and fishing and agricultural grounds.

Negombo, Katunayake, Seeduwa are some nearby towns.There are a few bars in the area, mostly around Beach Road.

The Negombo neighborhood features many restaurants that serve a variety of cuisines, including continental, Arabic, Turkish, and even native Sri Lankan food, thanks to Portuguese and Dutch influence.

The lagoons and the beaches’ fresh seafood are the primary attractions. Even better, you may charter a catamaran and cruise the ocean while dining on a mouthwatering BBQ.

The lagoon supports the prominent fishing industry in Negombo with the availability of a plethora of fish all year round.