Pooncha Doowa: Private Island Retreat Among Sri Lanka’s Rice Paddies

Tucked away among the emerald-green kumbura (rice fields) in southern Sri Lanka lies a place that feels like a secret out of a storybook: Pooncha Doowa, a private island stay unlike anywhere else we’ve ever visited. For three full days, we had the island completely to ourselves—a rare kind of seclusion that left us feeling both grounded and completely spoiled.

An Island Among the Rice Fields

Unlike typical islands surrounded by the sea, Pooncha Doowa is embraced by lush rice paddies shimmering in the sunlight. The rice field views here stretch endlessly across green fields, broken only by swaying palms, birds soaring overhead, and the soft hum of rural life. It’s not the ocean that cradles this island, but a living, breathing landscape of farming and nature—a perspective that immediately slows you down.

Farm-to-Table Living

Everything at Pooncha Doowa is truly farm-to-table Sri Lanka. The island produces much of what is cooked and served, and what can’t be grown on-site is sourced locally. Best of all, the stay comes with two private chefs who prepare some of the most amazing meals we’ve ever had—fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. Every dish felt like a celebration of authentic Sri Lankan ingredients, and sitting down to each meal was an experience in itself.

Quiet Luxury and Simple Pleasures

Life on the island moves at its own unhurried rhythm. Days were filled with reading under shady trees, listening to the buzz of insects and birdsong, and simply soaking in the quiet beauty. The natural pond at the center of the island offered the perfect place to cool off with a relaxing swim when the midday heat rolled in.

Why Pooncha Doowa is So Special

What makes this private island retreat in southern Sri Lanka magical isn’t just its beauty—it’s the combination of seclusion, sustainability, and simplicity. Having an entire island to yourself is already extraordinary, but pairing it with exquisite meals, breathtaking rice field views, and the luxury of doing nothing is just fantastic.

For us, those three days were a reset: a reminder of the joy in slowing down, disconnecting, and letting the natural world set the pace.

If you’re traveling in southern Sri Lanka and looking for a stay that feels both unique and soul-nourishing, Pooncha Doowa is a true hidden gem.