Waterland
Unique Experiences
Create, Explore, Indulge
Soar in a flying dress, watch hundreds of fruit bats fly over the river at sunset, rejuvenate with a poolside massage, ...
The Floating Breakfast is popular with couples.
Our Sri Lankan Cooking Class is a great activity for families.
Exploring the nearby mangrove jungle on a boat safari is our most popular activity.
Boat Safari
The boat safari glides through a mangrove jungle. The boat crosses the Maha Oya River. Elephants at the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage bathe in this same river.
On the safari, you will see herons, egrets, eagles, kingfishers, water monitors, and fruit bats.
The boat safari departs from our private dock and includes an English-speaking guide.
Please reserve a few hours in advance.
50 USD per boat
Romantic Welcome
Celebrate love from the moment you arrive with our Romantic Welcome package.
Step into your villa adorned with fresh flowers and a bed sprinkled with delicate petals, setting the mood for an unforgettable escape. As evening falls, glowing oil lamps cast a magical shimmer across the pool, creating a private sanctuary of romance.
To make your celebration more personal, we can include a banner to mark the occasion—whether it’s a birthday, honeymoon, or anniversary.
A one-of-a-kind way of saying I love you.
30 USD
Floating Breakfast
Dine differently with a floating breakfast served right in your private pool. A luxurious and leisurely way to begin the day.
We discovered the serenity of a Floating Breakfast on a trip to Bali and were eager to introduce the experience to Sri Lanka.
The floating trays are lovingly hand-crafted by a local boat-maker.
Ideal for couples.
Each floating tray is for 1-2 people.
10 USD for 1-2 people
20 USD for 3-4 people
Please reserve in advance
Traditional Outfit
Step into the regal splendor of Sri Lanka’s past with a one-of-a-kind photoshoot in traditional attire of the Kandyan Kingdom.
Men and children don an opulent, hand-embroidered velvet jacket and spiked hat.
Women are draped in a stunning sari.
The photoshoot is done with your phone so you have immediate access to the Instagram-worthy photos.
A unique way to experience the elegance of a royal legacy and memorialize your Sri Lankan journey.
5 USD per person
Flying Dress
Capture the beauty of you on your tropical adventure. The flying dress imbues drama, dynamism, and elegance.
This one-of-a-kind experience combines fashion and fun so let your dress soar!
We take photos using your phone so you have immediate access to the photos.
The Flying Dress photoshoot makes a unique and unexpected present for a spouse.
50 USD
Cooking Class
See how cinnamon, black pepper, cardamom, chilis, and other herbs and spices are grown and harvested.
Prepare classic Sri Lankan dishes in an open-air kitchen using grindstones, clay pots, and bamboo utensils.
After the class, place your feet in the sand and savor the delicious meal you’ve created in our riverside dining pavilion.
25 USD per person
(In-House Guests)
40 USD per person
(If not staying at Waterland)
2:30pm - 4:30pm
Please reserve in advance
Pedal
Bicycle along the backroads and marvel at the verdant scenery, ornate vernacular architecture, majestic neighborhood churches, and charming roadside shrines.
See children at play, fishermen at work, and nets drying in the sun.
A bicycle ride offers exercise and a soulful way to experience Sri Lankan coastal life.
Free
Bat Migration
Discover a natural wonder as hundreds of fruit bats fly over the river at sunset.
As dusk settles and the sky deepens to twilight, these extraordinary creatures emerge from the treetops, their wings casting dramatic silhouettes against the fading light.
This mesmerizing spectacle offers a gentle way to experience the rhythms of the natural world.
Free
Read
Slow down and savor the simple pleasure of reading on holiday.
Our reference library offers books on Sri Lankan architecture, culture, history, wildlife, and cuisine.
Alternatively, borrow a novel or travel guide from our lending library and enjoy it by your pool, in the garden, or in a shaded nook. Read leisurely. You can take these books with.
Free