River Cruises in Matara

Compare 20 river cruises in Matara, with prices from €42. Free cancellation on most bookings.

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What travellers say

Recent reviews of tours and tickets on this page.

Connector15197708925·2026-09-28· ★ 5.0

Mirissa Whale watching tour from Colombo Negombo with Breakfast

Highly Recommended Trip

I honestly didn’t know what to expect from the whale watching trip because you can never be sure what you will actually see in the ocean. We were picked up from Colombo early in the morning and went towards Mirissa. The breakfast was a nice little bonus, especially because we had started the day so early. After getting on the boat, we spent quite a while just looking at the sea, and then things suddenly got exciting when we started seeing dolphins and whales. Watching a whale come up from the water for a few seconds and then disappear again was such a cool moment. It felt much more real seeing it like that in the open sea. The whole day was simple and enjoyable from start to finish. There was no unnecessary fuss, and the people on the trip were helpful whenever we needed anything. I especially liked that we were able to just enjoy the experience instead of feeling like we were being rushed from one thing to another. By the time we returned, we were pretty tired from the early start, but honestly I didn’t mind at all. Seeing the whales and dolphins made the whole morning worthwhile. I’d definitely suggest doing this if you’re staying around Colombo or Negombo and want to see a different side of Sri Lanka.

F7490XWjohnh·2026-09-10· ★ 5.0

10 Days Sri Lanka Grand Discovery Tour

THE BEST TOUR GUIDE

Can’t recommend travelling with Janaka enough! He is charismatic, knowledgeable, friendly and constantly went above and beyond for us. If you want to get the most out of your Sri Lanka trip, book with him!

Frequently asked questions

How much should I budget for river cruises in Matara?
Plan on €136 to €682 per adult, which covers half of the 20 options on this page. The cheapest is the Whale Watching Mirissa Ultimate Tour in Sri Lanka with Breakfast at €42.
Are there tours in languages other than English?
English is the most common, offered by 20 experiences, followed by German, French, Italian and Russian. Use the Language filter to narrow the list.
What happens if I need to cancel?
For 16 of the 20 experiences here you get a full refund if you cancel in time, usually up to 24 hours before. The deadline is shown on each booking page.
Will I be picked up from my accommodation?
16 experiences on this page include pickup, such as the Galle Day Tour with River Safari, Tea Plantation & Sea Turtle. For the rest, the meeting point is in your booking confirmation.
How much time should I set aside?
Allow about 8 hours for a typical experience here. The longest lasts 12 days; use the Duration filter for shorter ones.
How quickly is my booking confirmed?
95% of the options here confirm instantly. Others are confirmed by the operator, usually within 48 hours. Filter by “Instant confirmation” to see only the instant ones.
Which tour do travellers rate highest?
The Mirissa Private Super Luxury Sport Speed Boat Whale Watching Trip is rated 4.8 from 94 reviews, the highest on this page among experiences with at least 50 reviews.

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