Aerial view of Bolagala at dusk: white floating cabanas in an arc on the lake, with the pool and pavilions on the shore

Bolagala Agro Floating Resort, Sri Lanka's first floating resort

Katana · Negombo
Sri Lanka
Since
1 March 2024
Sri Lanka's first floating resort
  • 31 cabanas
  • 13 acres of lake
  • 20 min from CMB

31 floating cabanas · 20 min from the airportCMB

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The idea

From clay to waterA clay mine became a lake

Sri Lanka's first floating resort sits on a thirteen-acre lake in Katana, near Negombo, made from clay pits that filled with rain. Our story

13acresOf lake 31Floating cabanas 20minFrom the airport 1stIn Sri Lanka
Evenings

The lake was madeThe light was not

  • Sunrise from the rooftop
  • Lanterns on every deck
  • Torchlit dinners
The Float restaurant and the lakeside walkway at sunset, reflected in still water
Floating cabanas lit at dusk under a red sky
A private table for two on the lawn beside the lake, lit by torches
Every cabana faces the water
  1. 2018

    A worked-out clay mine, and a plan to restore it.

  2. 2021

    Sri Lanka Tourism approved the first floating resort.

  3. 2024

    Opened to guests on 1 March.

Stay

Rooms that float

Water Cabana interior: curved sofa, timber floor and glass doors opening onto a deck over the lake

Water CabanaLake or pool view

  • 40 m²Size
  • KingBed
  • Sofa bedExtra
  • BalconyOutside
View room
A cabana deck over the lake with rattan sofas and high tea laid out

Premium Water CabanaOpen lake view

  • LakeView
  • KingBed
  • Sofa bedExtra
  • DeckOn the water
View room
Bolagala Royal Suite with a king bed, lounge and wide windows onto the lake

Bolagala Royal SuiteFor families

  • 4+Guests
  • KingBed
  • 2 twinsBeds
  • LakeView
View room
A guest kayaks past the row of white floating cabanas beneath a rain tree

Step off the deckInto the day

  • Kayaks
  • Floating pool
  • No boat needed
Dine

Farm to floatPicked this morning

  • 2 restaurants
  • 1 lounge bar
  • Vegan · Halal · GF
The Float, an open-air pavilion restaurant on the water

The FloatOn the water, all day

  • 07:00 – 22:00
  • Lake views
  • High tea
Menu and hours
A table for two set inside the resort's greenhouse among growing vegetables

The EssenceÀ la carte, alfresco

  • Greenhouse tables
  • Torchlit lawn
  • Dinner
About The Essence
Tomato and cheese salad
Seared fish on herb oil
Dessert in a coconut shell
Tropical fruit plate
Layered chocolate dessert
Cheesecake with berry coulis
High tea stand
A stilt fisherman perched above the lake in front of the floating cabanas
Agro

Grown hereCaught here, cooked here

  • Organic greenhouses
  • Silver tip tea
  • Spice garden
  • Lake aquaculture
Visit the farm
A tea plucker among the resort's tea bushesSilver tip teaPlucked by hand at first light A fisherman casting a net from a small boat on the lakeLake fishThe morning cast Hands husking a coconutCoconutOpened to order The chef cooks for guests at a lakeside stationCooked by the lakeFrom the farm to your plate
Gemi Gedara

The village houseNeighbours at the table

  • Spice grinding
  • Pottery
  • Palm weaving
  • Handloom
Guests seated on a mat in the village house are served rice and curry on banana leaves
Lunch, the village way
A village cook shows a guest how to grind spices on a stone
Grinding on stone
Guests in a traditional bullock cart under a rain tree
The bullock cart
A village cook and a guest laughing over a stone mortar
Neighbours
Hands shaping a clay pot
Pottery
A guest weaving palm fronds
Palm weaving
A weaver at a wooden handloom threaded with orange and red
The handloom
Built locally

Around 30 local investors and homegrown engineers.

Run with the village

Work, crafts and income for Bolagala.

Land restored

A dead clay mine, now a lake and farm.

Days

Do a littleOr nothing at all

All experiences
Getting here

Closer than it feelsKatana, near Negombo

The front desk can book a taxi for you.

Get directionsOpen in Google Maps
No. 1/2/B, Bolagala, Katana, Negombo 11534, Sri LankaLocation and nearby
Indian OceanNegombo lagoonAirport · CMBNegomboNegombo beachColomboBolagalaKatana
Route to BolagalaBandaranaike Airport~20 min · 17.4 km by road
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Questions

Good to knowAsked most often

All 23 answers
A guest kayaks past the floating cabanas on the lake
  • 14:00Check-in
  • 12:00Check-out
  • ~20 minAirport
  • 24 hFront desk
About the resort

Is it really floating?

Yes. The cabanas, the pool and The Float restaurant sit on the water. A walkway joins them to the shore, so you do not need a boat to reach your room. Reception and The Essence restaurant are on land.
Location

How far is it from Bandaranaike International Airport?

About twenty minutes by car. The front desk can book a taxi for you.
Rooms and stay

What types of rooms are there?

Three, all floating on the lake: the Water Cabana (1 king bed and 1 sofa bed, about 40 m²), the Premium Water Cabana with Lake View (1 king bed and 1 sofa bed), and the Bolagala Royal Suite with Lake View (1 king bed, 2 twin beds and 1 sofa bed). Compare rooms.
Rooms and stay

What are the check-in and check-out times?

Check-in is from 14:00 and check-out is until 12:00. The front desk is open 24 hours.
Rooms and stay

Are children welcome?

Yes, children of all ages are welcome. Cots for children aged 0 to 3 are free on request. Extra beds for guests aged 4 and over cost US$15 per person per night. Guests aged 18 and over are charged as adults.
Food and drink

Is breakfast served?

Yes, every day from 07:00 to 10:00, à la carte. Styles include continental, Italian, full English and Asian.
Food and drink

Do you cater for special diets?

Yes. The kitchen offers halal, vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free options.
Things to do

What is there to do at the resort?

Kayaking, the floating pool, fishing, boat rides at sunset, cycling, nature and farm walks, bullock cart rides, billiards and live music, plus hands-on village cooking, pottery and palm weaving. See experiences.
Things to do

Is there a swimming pool?

Yes, an outdoor floating pool with a shallow end and a pool bar.
Location

Is there parking?

Yes. Free private parking is available on site, and no reservation is needed.

Reserve a floating cabana

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AddressNo. 1/2/B, Bolagala, Katana
Negombo 11534, Sri Lanka
Reservations+94 70 472 2802
sales@bolagala.com
ArrivalIn from 14:00 · Out by 12:00
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