With almost a thousand miles of coastline, it's no surprise that Sri Lanka is a hot fishing destination. Bordering the Indian Ocean, Bay of Bengal, and Arabian Sea, as well as being home to more than 80 lagoons and estuaries, it’s a hotbed of fishing activity. Hop aboard a local Sri Lanka fishing boat and discover the riches of this island nation like never before!
With shallow, brackish waters inshore, plenty of wrecks nearshore, and deep waters just a stone’s throw away, Sri Lanka is home to a diverse fishery. Get ready for some serious action wherever you go, as you could be battling it out with Tarpon, Jacks, Barramundi, Snappers, Groupers, Mackerel, Barracuda, Trevally, Catfish, Jobfish, Mahi Mahi, Tuna, Marlin, and Sailfish all in a day’s work.
The beauty of having the fish so close to shore is that you can spend as little or as long as you want out on the water. Trips start from three hours and go up to a couple of days, giving you the chance to tailor-make your adventure on a Sri Lankan fishing boat. Choose from inshore lagoon and river trips or offshore adventures, and you’re sure to get your hands on a prized fish.
Deciding where to hop aboard a Sri Lankan fishing boat may seem like a tough choice, but keep an eye on the seasons, and you won’t go wrong. Head out of the west and south of the country, from resorts such as Negombo, Bartola, and Tangalle, from November through April. Meanwhile the inverse months will see a trip out of the east coast serving you better.
Rules & Regulations
Recreational fishing is free in Sri Lanka, so there’s no need to worry about grabbing a fishing license. Head out with a professional fishing guide and they’ll keep you up to date with all the latest bag and size limits, so you can focus on filling the boat!
