Across a short bridge from the main town, Duwa is a fishing and boat-building village built around the lagoon and the 1802 Dutch Canal. It is known nationally for its Easter passion play and, day to day, for lagoon boat tours and views of the catamaran-building yards along the water.
Rural and unhurried compared to the beach strip. Boat builders work on wooden catamarans along the canal bank, egrets stalk the shallows, and the pace slows considerably once you cross the bridge from town.
What It Feels Like
Duwa & Dutch Canal is known for the dutch canal, the easter passion play, catamaran-building yards.
Avoid if Travellers wanting beachfront accommodation or an active nightlife scene
What to Do
- Take a sunset boat tour along the Dutch Canal
- Kayak the lagoon in the calm early morning
- Watch catamaran builders working the canal bank
Local tip If visiting for the Easter passion play, book accommodation months ahead; the village fills up fast that week.
See our best things to do in Negombo or One Day in Negombo.
Getting Here
1.4 km west of the centre of Negombo. Tuk-tuk from Lewis Place
Nearest transport: Cross the Duwa bridge from the main town, approximately 5 minutes by tuk-tuk from Lewis Place.
More on Negombo
Back to the main Negombo page for costs, transport and the other areas.
We plan trips to Negombo and the rest of Sri Lanka. Tell us your dates and we will put a route together. Our routes are on the tours page.
Where to eat and drink
Lagoon Hut
Sri Lankan seafood · Lagoon crab curry
Canal-side seafood shack (unnamed, multiple vendors)
Seafood · Grilled prawns bought that morning