Travel Guide Contents

Sembuwatta Lake – Elkaduwa (Matale)

Woman sitting on a rock at the edge of Sembuwatta Lake, surrounded by tea-plantation hills and forest

Sembuwatta Lake is a tourist attraction and site visit. And recently got high popular among local and foreign visitors sightseeing as less touristy sites. This lake is situated at Elkaduwa area in the Matale District of Sri Lanka. And this is adjacent to the Campbell’s Lane Forest Reserve.
can you believe, is this a man-made lake from natural spring water? Yes it is. Alongside the lake is a natural swimming pool. Sembuwatta Lake is said to be 9 m to 12 m deep.

A nice place to spend a day. Cool and enchanting environment. But, hard roads for cars. Driving during the rainy season is really an adventure. Suitable for children too, there is a dedicated swimming pool for them. Night camping is allowed and food

If you are traveling on public transport, be at Matale bus stand before 9.00 a.m. Bus to Sembuwatta leaves at 9. After that there won’t be any buses to Sembuwatta till afternoon.

It’s worth going through the tough pathway. Wonderful nature scenic place to relax. Those who love nature, be ready for good scenes. Take around an hour from Matale.

Sembuwatta Lake
Sembuwatta Lake

Sembuwatta Lake Ticket Price

When I visited, the entrance ticket was Rs. 200 per person over 10 years old. Prices have gone up since. The most recent published rates I could find (reported by Amazing Lanka, around September 2025) are below. Needs verification: confirm at the ticket counter, as rates change without notice.

TicketReported price (approx. Sept 2025)
Adult, Sri LankanLKR 300
Adult, foreignLKR 1,500
Child, foreignLKR 1,000
Drone cameraLKR 4,000
Overnight camping site (up to 10 people)LKR 10,000 (+ LKR 1,000 per extra person)
Boat rides and the zip line are charged separately. When I visited they were about Rs. 250 and Rs. 300; current prices need verification.

Plan on a few hours here. Bring food or order it near the ticket counter on the way in.

Travel at Glance

  •  Direction :  Kandy -> Wattegama ->Elkaduwa -> Sembuwatta (30KM)
  •  Transport : Bike / Taxi / Public Transport 
  •  Travel Time: (from Kandy 1.5 hrs)
  •  Accommodation: Amaya Hunns Falls & Find Hotels nearby
  •  Activities: Photography / Nature Trails / Waterfall hunting /Lake/ Hiking 
  •  Ticket Price: about LKR 300 (locals) / LKR 1,500 (foreign adults), reported Sept 2025 – confirm at the gate


Tips, Notes and Special Remark

– Use enough water
– beware with roads  
– Ask directions from locals
– Better to bring food and also available in Sembuwatta as well.
– Do not carry Plastic items, Make sure you bring back everything you took.

Image Gallery

  • Selfie of a couple with the green Sembuwatta Lake and forested hills in the background
  • Paved viewpoint walkway beside Sembuwatta Lake with a tree and railings under a cloudy sky
  • Green tea-covered hill reflecting in the calm water of Sembuwatta Lake
  • Tall pine trees around the shore of Sembuwatta Lake with a small boat dock
  • Forested hills with pine trees reflecting in the calm green waters of Sembuwatta Lake
  • Green tea plantation hills reflected in Sembuwatta Lake under a blue sky with clouds
  • Speedboat with passengers leaving a wake on Sembuwatta Lake, tea-covered hills in the background
  • Pine forest lining the shore of Sembuwatta Lake, tranquil green water reflecting the trees
  • Close-up ripples on the green surface of Sembuwatta Lake with distant hills and trees
  • A woman sitting on a rock at the lake's edge looking out over the water and hills
  • A woman standing among tall pine trees looking at her phone, forest floor with pine needles
  • Close-up of dense pine tree trunks in the forest with dappled light
  • View through pine tree trunks toward Sembuwatta Lake with a small islet, blue sky with clouds

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to visit Sembuwatta Lake?

The most recent published rates (around September 2025) are LKR 300 for Sri Lankan adults and LKR 1,500 for foreign adults, with boat rides and the zip line charged extra. Prices change, so confirm at the ticket counter before you go.

Can children swim at Sembuwatta Lake?

Yes – there’s a dedicated swimming area for children alongside the main natural pool.

How do I get there by public transport?

Buses from Matale to Sembuwatta leave around 9:00 a.m.; if you miss it, there’s no other bus until the afternoon, so plan to arrive at the Matale bus stand early.

Nearby Knuckles & Kandy-Area Attractions