The 10 Best Sri Lanka Fishing Trips

1.Galle Day Trip with River Safari, Sea Turtle & Stilt Fishermen

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 64 reviews · from $110Our pick

Start around 7:00am with private pickup near Bentota and nearby south-coast towns. Visit the Bentota mangroves by boat, a turtle center, Ambalangoda mask makers, the Tsunami Museum, Galle Dutch Fort, and Koggala stilt fishermen. Lunch, entry fees, water, and transport are included.

“We had a jam packed day on this trip- we had a wonderful time seeing and experiencing plenty without feeling rushed. It was great value for money! Dinesh picked us up on time and got us from place to place safely. We saw crocodiles, monkRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Galle Day Trip & Stilt Fishermen from Koggala

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 19 reviews · from $75

Travel by air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking guide such as Milan to Galle Fort, Rumassala’s Peace Pagoda, Jungle Beach, Koggala’s stilt fishermen, and Habaraduwa Turtle Hatchery. The private tour suits families and small groups, with flexible pacing and hotel pickup.

“Really very good tour with a charming guide, Milan. Took us to all the good sites in the area and nothing was too much trouble. He was able to take us to an antiques shop for in a remote part of Galle and in general he was very obliging. Can recommend.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Galle Day Trip – River Safari, Sea Turtle & Stilt Fishermen

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 16 reviews · 9 - 11 hours · from $80

Set out with an English-speaking driver-guide for a private 9 to 11-hour trip along Sri Lanka’s southwest coast. You’ll visit Galle Fort, a turtle conservation project, Buddhist temple, mask workshop, tsunami museum, mangroves and stilt fishermen. Samir leads some river safaris, with Dinesh providing safe road transport.

“We had a really good day out. Nothing was too much trouble. We called to watch fishermen bringing in their nets and to a busy local fishing harbour. The river trip was excellent and we saw a lot of wildlife including crocodiles, monkeys, fruit bats, monitor lizards, a snake, lizards etc. I had always wanted to see the fishermen at Galle and it was great to see them catch fish from the stilt fishing poles. We called in at other sights as well including the turtle sanctuary and the Galle Fort. We were picked up from the harbour at 5.30am and returned bang on the 6pm arranged time to catch…”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Lagoon Fishing in Bentota

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 11 reviews · from $75

Spend about three hours fishing Bentota Lagoon by private boat with a local guide, rods, tackle, water, and hotel transfers included. Troll and bottom fish in the river and lagoon, then ask about having a good catch cooked for dinner at an extra cost.

“A really good mornings fishing, pick up from hotel on time 5.45am. We arrived at the beautiful illuminated Buddha and set off in the dark up river. The boat was well equipped and the skipper very knowledgeable, friendly and a great help. WRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Private Galle Day Tour with River Safari, Stilt fishing & Turtles

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · from $96

Tony Tours takes you from Bentota and nearby resorts to Kosgoda, the Madu River, Galle, and the southern coast in a private air-conditioned vehicle. Expect mangroves, turtle conservation, moonstone mining, tsunami history, Galle Fort, and a short stilt-fishing stop. Guide Buddhi operates the river safari.

“We had a wonderful full day with our wonderful hosts and would recommend this to anyone in the area! We loved the mix of culture, wildlife and history of the area! We booked another excursion with the company following this trip as the team were amazing!”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Day out to Galle[Stilt Fishing. Turtle watching.Cinnamon Farm]

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 9 reviews · from $57Best value

Travel privately from Hambantota to Galle with guide Pradeep, stopping at Dutch-built Galle Fort, a stilt-fishing site, and the Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation Project. Pickup is available from your hotel, port, or airport. Expect a flexible day, though timing can stretch beyond six hours.

“We had a fantastic day thanks to our amazing guide Pradeep. He was a sea of information and was happy to answer any questions and was adamant to give us a true experience of local life. This was the first time we booked our own excursion and will do that every time without a doubt.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Galle Day Tour: Boat Safari, Dutch Fort, Stick Fishing & Turtles

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · from $95

Travel from Bentota in a private air-conditioned car with a driver-guide, with Shiran among the named guides. Cruise the Bentota River, see rescued turtles, masks, moonstones, a tsunami memorial, stilt fishing, and Galle Fort. The 7 to 9-hour route includes transport, entries, and bottled water.

“Most beautiful, economic and memorable trip, everyone was very friendly, supportive and informative from the druver, tour guides abd all oter outsourced parties Thank you shiran tours Love Saleem & Rawhiya”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Sri Lanka Private Galle Tour: stilt fisherman, Galle Fort…

★★★★★★★★★★3.0 · 3 reviews · from $70

Travel south in an air-conditioned vehicle with an English or Hindi-speaking guide. Walk Galle Fort, cruise the Madu River wetland, visit a temple and spice garden, and pause at beaches near Hikkaduwa, Galle, and Bentota. The river safari costs an additional $25 per person.

“Very good! The guide was very gently and speaks English very well”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Negombo: Catamaran Sailing with Traditional Fishermen

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews

Join guide Tharaka and a four-man fishing crew for a 3.5-hour private trip from Negombo Lagoon to the Indian Ocean. Watch traditional sails go up, see prawn net fishing at close range, enjoy snacks and drinks, and learn how local fishermen work at sea.

“Such a great and unique experience. Emmerse yourself in the local life of fishermen for a few hours. Really worth it! My guide Tharaka and the crew were very nice and really wanted to share a bit of their work and culture with me. I highly recommend!”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Stilt-Fishing Experience in Ahangama

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 3 reviews · from $140

Meet four stilt fishermen on Ahangama Beach, try the old fishing method yourself, then visit a nearby village for finger weaving, artisan crafts, tea, snacks, and a live-cooked Sri Lankan meal. An English-speaking guide leads this private three-hour experience.

“Tuktukrental.com is a sympathetic company, the philosophy social and fair, the communication pleasant:”

Check availability →Read our full review