Negombo is located approximately 37 km north of the commercial capital of Colombo in Sri Lanka. It is located at the mouth of the Negombo lagoon. The major beach resort in the West Coast is Negombo. The wide sandy beaches and the safe sea are the main attractions of Negombo and it is perfectly located within 7 km from the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake, Sri Lanka.

Negombo has a small port, and its economy is mainly based on tourism and its centuries-old fishing industry. Negombo is a traditional fishing town in Sri Lanka, and no wonder the town is a gourmet food lover’s paradise with seafood available in plenty. Negombo also produces spices, ceramics and brassware. The town has a majority of Roman Catholics along with Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims while it has been given the name “Little Rome” due to the highly ornate Portuguese-era Roman Catholic churches found within the township. The town has several buildings that date back to the Dutch and Portuguese colonial era. Attractions in the city include the old Dutch fort gate built in 1672 now a part of the prison, the Dutch Canal which was then a supply route to the Dutch administration, old churches and fishing villages. The 100km long canal running through the town is still being used and is an attraction for those who want to see the country from a different perspective.

Tour in brief

Start the tour by setting off on a thrilling catamaran ride into the deep blue ocean and learn fishing in both traditional and modern ways, and catch fish on your own.

After that, visit the busy Negombo fish market called the ‘Lellama’ and watch the boats returning with their catch of fresh fish, crab, lobster, prawns, and squid. You can also buy your own selection of fish to add to the seafood platter at lunch.

For lunch, you will be taken to a restaurant where you can either watch the chef prepare the seafood platter for you or you can join him in cooking the fish you bought! Your city visit will be done during this time as well.

After that, you can enjoy the delicious seafood platter. After lunch, you will set off on a boat ride in the Negombo Lagoon, which is fed by a number of rivers and a canal. The lagoon has an expansive mangrove swamp. The boat ride would let you spot some of the flora and fauna species in the area as well as water birds such as herons, terns, cormorants and shorebirds.

Transfers in between sites are done in a tuk-tuk giving you the chance to see and interact with the local communities.

Important