Negombo holidays

Wide sandy beaches, tuna snared and seared the same day, and ornate Portuguese-era Roman Catholic churches – experience it all on a holiday to Negombo.

West-coast wonder

Found on Sri Lanka’s west coast, within the so-called ‘Coconut Triangle’, Negombo is just 10 kilometres from the airport, making it easy to hop straight off the plane and explore. The beach resort and fishing stronghold is one of the most liberal cities in Sri Lanka, and its modern lifestyle, luxury hotels and fine restaurants make it popular among western tourists.

Swathes of sand

Negombo’s beach stretches north from the mouth of the lagoon, right up to the main hotel strip, where you’ll find broad belts of well-kept sand. A handful of dive schools offer reasonably-priced courses, while children skip around in the waves and play cricket on the shore. And don’t be surprised if they ask you to join in – Sri Lankans are a friendly bunch.

Fisherman’s friend

Negombo’s fishing heritage is no secret – fishing has been a way of life here for hundreds of years, helping the city become one of Sri Lanka’s most important commercial hubs. Today, the wealthier fishermen take to the waters in their colourful catamarans, hoping for hauls of tuna, shark and seer. Meanwhile, the less well-off emerge from thatched-palm villages that line the lagoon, fishing for crabs, shrimps and lobsters, from makeshift canoes carved out of tree trunks.