Paddling a canoe with the intention of recreation, sport or even transportation is called ‘Canoeing’ while ‘Kayaking’ is the use of a kayak travelling across water for the most practical way to discover Sri Lanka’s country rivers, jungles, swamps, lagoons and canals. The main feature that differentiates kayaking from canoeing is by the amount of blades on the paddle and the sitting position of the paddler.

With over 103 rivers, lagoons, interconnected canals and reservoirs, Sri Lanka provides its visitors a remarkable setting for canoeing or kayaking. For Jungle River canoeing there is a rewarding journey from the Sinharaja Forest Reserve to the coastal town of Kalutara. It can be done as a day or an overnight trip and is good for people who have never canoed before but are looking to experience wilderness and adventure. Sri Lanka’s famed Kalu Ganga also known as the Black River provides a more relaxing setting for a canoeing experience. Since it is a river that flows comparatively slowly, there is no need of any sort of expert canoeing skills. However, along the way travellers will get the one of a kind opportunity to view and marvel the changing landscapes and breathtaking array of flora and fauna. While passing the much colonized town area of Ratnapura, the river bank ambience gets even more calm and picturesque.

The Samanalawewa reservoir is an alternative to river canoeing in Sri Lanka. This calm reservoir is set in Sri Lanka’s Sabaragamuwa province and is conveniently accessible from Belihuloya. The Samanalawewa reservoir offers a perfect setting for a slow-paced canoeing experience. The more adventurous can pass under the Galle Road Bridge and head upstream in search of water monitors, mangroves and maybe crocodiles. Most hotels in this part of the country provide canoes and kayaks as well as guides on request.

Usually a kayak ride on a reservoir, sea, river or lagoon is rather calm and relaxing. In total contrast, white water kayaking or rafting is a more fast paced, action packed experience. This comparatively new sport tops the list in world adventure sports. White water kayaking mainly involves sliding down a stream as it crashes over waterfalls. Sri Lanka offers this enthralling experience in some waterfalls that are nearly 700 feet high. As tall as can be, these waterfalls also offer some of the most awe-inspiring scenery.