Dutch Canal
Dutch Canal
3.5
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3.5
872 reviews
Excellent
169
Very good
274
Average
255
Poor
119
Terrible
55
helendrabbe
Westlake, South Africa14 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Unfortunately full of litter. Nothing that is redeeming. Rather go to the beach. I honestly can’t see any point in including this. We had this included in our trip of the lagoon an after a few minutes out guide said that there was another 10 Kms of the same. We turned around and ended our tour😂
Written 15 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Whitfield2003
Nottingham, United Kingdom43 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Great informative trip down a stretch of the Dutch canal in Sri Lanka. Went with our tour guide and boat driver. Both detailed background knowledge of the area and animals and birds in and around the water.
Written 25 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tateshikazmi
Koriyama, Japan6 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
Went for a boat ride while im in negombo for my second visit to srilanka. Saw many birds and some monkeys on the forest dutch canal was nice. Finish the ride by staying in the lagoon for the sunset.
recommended
recommended
Written 8 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jo O
Muscat, Oman370 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
Sarath got some great write ups and the guide called Jude in particular, so we decided to give it a go.
We decided to go for the longer trip as we love any opportunity to see monkeys.
Jude did not disappoint and clearly has the eyes of a hawk. The canal was fascinating, seeing monitor lizards, kingfishers and even an owl, along with many many other species of birds. The only sad part was the significant litter in the canal and at the entrance to the lagoon. The government MUST do something about this via education and incentive. It was very sad to see, but is a fact of Sri Lanka currently and I am sure action will be taken. Don't let it put you off.
The lagoon was beautiful and the monkeys were wonderful to see.
I would highly recommend Sarath Boat Tours and Jude in particular.
The better feedback these guys receive, hopefully the busier they will become and therefore better equiped to lead action in addressing the litter issue.
Thankyou so much Jude, for a wonderful experience.
We decided to go for the longer trip as we love any opportunity to see monkeys.
Jude did not disappoint and clearly has the eyes of a hawk. The canal was fascinating, seeing monitor lizards, kingfishers and even an owl, along with many many other species of birds. The only sad part was the significant litter in the canal and at the entrance to the lagoon. The government MUST do something about this via education and incentive. It was very sad to see, but is a fact of Sri Lanka currently and I am sure action will be taken. Don't let it put you off.
The lagoon was beautiful and the monkeys were wonderful to see.
I would highly recommend Sarath Boat Tours and Jude in particular.
The better feedback these guys receive, hopefully the busier they will become and therefore better equiped to lead action in addressing the litter issue.
Thankyou so much Jude, for a wonderful experience.
Written 24 August 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sameera K
Ella, Sri Lanka291 contributions
May 2014 • Solo
Negombo is a traditional fishing town of Sri Lanka. The fishermen of the Negombo lagoon live in abject poverty in small, thatched palm houses in villages on the water’s edge. They rely on traditional knowledge of the seasons for their livelihood, using outrigger canoes carved out of tree trunks and nylon nets to bring in modest catches from September through till April.
Written 12 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CaroleGray
Morpeth, England, United Kingdom22 contributions
Mar 2014 • Couples
If you have the chance take trip on this canal they say canal but it is water ways with every kind of bird and water reptile on it. We had a great time and the guide stopped off at gap in the mangroves and ended up in a cafe in the jungle and given a cool beer and some fresh deep fried cashew nuts with curry leaves i have never tasted anything like this before they were great. I would recommend this tour to anybody. Just ask Sam the hayes and Jarvis rep and he will sort it all out for you.
Written 21 March 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ian W
Montreal, Canada333 contributions
Aug 2019 • Family
We visited the Netherlands last year and were amazed on how similar this canal is. The water is very dirty, but the boats are colorful. You can walk along the canal. A must-see attractions while in Negombo.
Written 9 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KarenBonavita
U.S.213 contributions
Mar 2019 • Couples
We felt sorry for the very poorly paid (we’re sure) young boatman who took us on this boat tour. His engine kept failing because of the garbage that got stuck in the engine. And we felt disgusted, hoping none of the filthy water would splash on us. The entire canal is filled with sewerage and garbage. It absolutely stinks. Sorry, but this is awful. I feel very sorry for people who live on this canal and for those trying to make a living here.
And this ‘tour’ generally makes it’s way to a little more open water, equally filthy, and then onto ‘Monkey Island’ and I’ll just say that Monkey Island is unethical and horrendous. It’s a horrid tourist trap that is abusing monkeys and is extremely upsetting to us.
And this ‘tour’ generally makes it’s way to a little more open water, equally filthy, and then onto ‘Monkey Island’ and I’ll just say that Monkey Island is unethical and horrendous. It’s a horrid tourist trap that is abusing monkeys and is extremely upsetting to us.
Written 11 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jamaal58
Kuwait City, Kuwait127 contributions
May 2016 • Solo
Negambo is a town 15 min drive from the international airport. Its a nice town to start or end your tour in Srilanka. The Dutch Canal is very interesting site to see and experience. Its a very long Canal which runs from the center to the far north of the town. Residential houses on both sides and several bridges to cross. On my arrival to this lovely beach town, too many rainy days so parts of the Canal was flooded. No boat ride allowed so I enjoyed walking a long the Canal
Written 16 June 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dream40581509572
11 contributions
June 2023 • Couples
If you haven't been to tropics before, it may be nice, but I found it an underwhelming experience.
The only nice thing was stopping for a coconut drink from locals.
Take a mask to protect you from the fumes. You will see a kingfisher, comerants, water monitor, nothing special
The only nice thing was stopping for a coconut drink from locals.
Take a mask to protect you from the fumes. You will see a kingfisher, comerants, water monitor, nothing special
Written 20 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi has anyone used Asda tours for day trips or longer ,to do the cultural sights?
Are they reliable .
Written 28 February 2017
Yes used Asda tours, reliable and nice people who want to make sure you see their country. I would use them again.
Written 20 April 2017
Bonjour ,
Nous venons au mois d'août pour 15 jours et sommes à la recherche d'un guide parlant le français pour organiser trois où quatre journées d'excursion reprenant le National Park of Yala, Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, Anuradahpuna, Kandy and Negombo for the Dutch canal.
En vous remerciant d'avance pour toute proposition
Pascal
Bonjour, Pascal. Que voudriez-vous savoir sur cette attraction ?
Written 14 March 2016
what's the best place to get a boat for a canal tour (without booking in advance)? is it practical to take a boat from negombo all the way along the canal to the river and back? how much would this cost and how long would it take?
Written 20 May 2015
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