Intro
This is the only excursion available in Kokkilai Lagoon, for the time being. We have tasted this fantastic excursion and guests have left with unforgettable memories! We are developing this page slowly. Browser can subscribe to be updated!
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Kokkilai Lagoon
Kokkilai Lagoon (8°56'-9°03'N, 80°52'-80°58'E) is a large estuarine lagoon (2,995 ha) located in Mullaitivu and Trincomalee districts of Sri Lanka. This Lagoon consists of seagrass beds, oyster beds, mangrove swamp, deltas and mudflats. Particularly in the western and southern shores are bounded by cultivated lands, scrub forest and some by open forest patches. The lagoon is always busy with mundane fishing activities.
Study has revealed that 55 fish species found in the lagoon belongs to 34 fish families. Among fish families three families, Cichlidae, Clupeidae and Leiognathidae were observed as dominant diversity families in this lagoon. Most massive mud crab specie, Scylla Serrata, prevails throughout the year. Portunus pelagicus (Flower crab) also plentiful in lagoon mouth area. Penaeus monodon (Tiger prawn) is also abundant in the lagoon with some peak seasons.
This lagoon is one of the largest bird sanctuary for native and migratory birds in Sri Lanka. In the migratory season the fishing boats find it difficult to maneuver the lagoon because birds are all over! We will soon develop this page with all of lagoon's funa and flora.
The sanctuary area was sunk by 1,000 hectares in 2010 by illegal encroachment to 1,995 to around hectare. Ongoing illegal sand excavations in the lagoon is yet to receive officials' due attention.
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Christian R. –
Unforgettable day, very good excursion on the “Kokkilai’s Bird Sanctuary’s lagoon”
It was on 2018 March the 18. Our organizer Anuradha, and the team where professional and very friendly. It was “physical”, “very good” and “magical”.
Physical because it was a first faith for us and for the organizer. So the boat (fishing one) had been equipped with plastic garden chairs, so boarding and landing where a little “rock and roll” (I’m 67 years old ..). Physical because no roof to the boat (open hull), knowing that we had taken very broad hats.
Very good: Kokkilai / our hotel (Trincomalee) 1h15 in air-conditioned van, schedule respected to the minute; Very good because the organizer did the circuit with us. Very good because the organizer had a cooler with cold drinks, fruit and cookies, more than we could absorb.Very good because the pilot and his help are very competent, both in piloting and detection of birds. Very good because the organizer did not count his time.
Magical because there was thousands of birds, including many unknown in France, just like a bird reportage. Magic because the site is exceptional, a huge shallow lagoon, full of fish, narrow channel so the waves of the ocean do not fit. Magic was the navigation in the mangrove just our boat and the wild life (birds, monkeys, crocodile ..) again the real impression to hold the camera for an animal reportage.
If you are interested in this kind of exploration, don’t hesitate to contact them, in addition to the ornitho we spent this long afternoon (from 13 to 20:00) with these Sri Lankans whose kindness is not a legend.” Cordially Christian R.”
Jeppe Vinther –
We are a family of 4 and we had a wonderful day at the Kokkilai lagoon on 6th of January 2019. We were picked up at our hotel in Nilavela and driven to the Lagoon, where we sailed out in a real fisherman’s boat. We entered some narrow mangrove like canals and were completely alone in the amazing nature. We saw lots of birds and monkeys from the boat. On the way back, we got to see an extraordinarily beautiful sunset and the local fishermen in action. The provided food was of very high quality. Anu, who arranged the trip, speaks English, was very pleasant and took extremely good care of us. I highly recommend this trip.
Best regards,
Jeppe