Adam’s Bridge (Rama Setu), Sri Lanka: New Sandbank Boat Trips in Mannar

By the Beyond Waves Leisure team · 5 min read

Off the far north-western tip of Sri Lanka, a chain of pale sandbanks and limestone shoals runs across shallow turquoise water towards India. This is Adam’s Bridge — known to millions as Rama Setu or Ramar Palam — and it is about to become one of the island’s most talked-about new experiences. A boat service is being introduced so visitors can see the sandbanks up close, inside Adam’s Bridge Marine National Park.

Here is what we know so far, what is still to be confirmed, and how to fit Mannar into a Sri Lanka holiday.

What is Adam’s Bridge (Rama Setu)?

Adam’s Bridge is a line of sandbanks and shoals, roughly 48 km long, between Talaimannar on Sri Lanka’s Mannar Island and Dhanushkodi near Rameswaram in India. The sea here is very shallow, and from the air the chain looks like stepping stones between the two countries.

In the Ramayana, this is the bridge built by Lord Rama’s army to cross to Lanka, which is why it is a place of deep meaning for Hindu travellers. For nature lovers it is just as special: quiet sandbars, clear shallows and large numbers of seabirds.

What is new for visitors?

Local authorities in Mannar have announced a boat service that takes visitors out to view the sandbanks on the Sri Lankan side, with a trial run held around World Tourism Day in late September 2026.

Local reports say the service is expected to open to the public from mid-October 2026, with boats carrying small groups and landings permitted on selected sandbanks under the supervision of the Department of Wildlife Conservation. The opening date, boat and entrance fees, and exactly which sandbanks you may land on have not been officially confirmed at the time of writing. We will update this page as soon as they are — and if you are travelling soon, ask us for the latest before you plan around it.

What you will see

• The sandbanks — low golden bars surrounded by shallow, clear water that shifts from pale green to deep blue.
• Birdlife — Mannar lies on a major migration route. Terns and other seabirds use the sandbanks, and the nearby lagoons are known for flamingos and waders in the migrant season (roughly November to March).
• A wide, empty horizon — this is one of the least-visited corners of Sri Lanka, far from the busy south-coast beaches.

When to go

Mannar is one of the hottest and driest parts of Sri Lanka, and it is often very windy. Boat trips depend on sea and wind conditions on the day, so keep your plans flexible. The cooler months from about November to March are the most comfortable for sightseeing and the best for birdwatching.

How to get to Mannar

Mannar Island is linked to the mainland by a causeway. It is about a two-hour drive from Anuradhapura and roughly six to seven hours from Colombo, so it works best as part of a northern route rather than a day trip from the south. Talaimannar, at the western end of the island, is the closest point to Adam’s Bridge.

What else to see in Mannar

• Talaimannar pier and lighthouse — the old ferry point for India and the last stop before the sandbanks.
• The Mannar baobab — a giant, centuries-old baobab tree believed to have been brought by Arab traders.
• Mannar Fort — a Portuguese and Dutch-era fort beside the causeway.
• Thiruketheeswaram Kovil — one of the island’s most important ancient Hindu temples.
• Vankalai Sanctuary — wetlands that fill with migratory birds in season.

What to bring

• Plenty of drinking water — there is no shade on the sandbanks.
• Sun protection: hat, sunglasses, long sleeves and reef-safe sunscreen.
• Light clothes that can get wet, and sandals you can walk in.
• A dry bag for your phone and camera — it is windy and there is sea spray.

Visit responsibly

Adam’s Bridge is a fragile marine environment. Follow the instructions of wildlife officers and boat crews, take every piece of rubbish back with you, keep your distance from nesting and resting birds, and do not collect shells, coral or sand.

Frequently asked questions

Can you walk across Adam’s Bridge to India?

No. The sandbanks are separated by open water and the area is an international maritime boundary. Visits are by authorised boat on the Sri Lankan side only.

Is Adam’s Bridge the same as Rama Setu?

Yes. Adam’s Bridge, Rama Setu, Ram Setu and Ramar Palam are different names for the same chain of sandbanks.

Can I add Adam’s Bridge to a Ramayana Trail tour?

Yes. Mannar pairs naturally with Anuradhapura, Jaffna and the Ramayana sites elsewhere on the island. See our Ramayana Trail and Jaffna & the North journeys — both are private and can be adjusted to include Mannar.

How much does the boat trip cost?

Official fees have not been confirmed yet. We will share them here once the Department of Wildlife Conservation publishes them.

Thinking about Sri Lanka’s quiet north? Send us your dates and we will build a private plan with your own chauffeur-guide — and include Adam’s Bridge as soon as the boat service is running.