Only 45 minutes' drive due south of Colombo, this 400-square-kilometre wetland consists of two lakes - North Lake and South Lake - connected to each other and to the sea by broad waterways, effectively turning a huge tract of the Western Province into an island. The area is a naturalist's dream, with barramundi (Nile Perch), crabs and prawns in the lake, numerous indigenous species of plants and animals, and endless wildfowl and waders. In colonial times it provided rest and relaxation in the form of hunting for the British based in Colombo. Today it makes a perfect break from sightseeing, with boat trips to the islands, bird watching and fishing expeditions all on offer.