Joanna James
A day spent fishing off the coast is a great way to spend time in Sri Lanka. There are so many locations around the island perfect for deep sea fishing, here are just a few of them.
The waters off the coast of the south-western seaside resort town of Bentota offer some of the best resources for deep sea fishing in the region. The nutrient-rich, warm waters attract plenty of game fish such as tuna, sailfish, black marlin and other large fish species. There are plenty of experienced tour operators in the town who organize deep sea fishing excursions daily, so you'll have your choice of guides who will take you to all the best spots for fishing. The coastal waters are calm on most days making it ideal for first-timers who want to give deep sea fishing a try, as well as experienced anglers who want the thrill of the big game minus the choppy waters.
Head further south and you'll find the town of Hikkaduwa, a former fishing village turned hipster haven. The warm waters here are filled with exotic tropical fish as well as big game like yellowfin tuna, Spanish mackerel, marlins, jack trevally and many more. The best tours take you out early morning on a long fishing excursion, the longer the better, equipped with all the necessary rods, lines and bait. The boats are manned by professional fisherman experienced in game fishing, so you will have the best guides with you at all times. If you do catch something, you have the option of taking it back with you and getting it cooked on shore.
One of the best locations for deep sea fishing on the west coast is the town of Negombo. Located close to the international airport, it is a convenient spot to start or end your fishing trip. The fishing season in Negombo runs from April to November, but you can still find a variety of fish outside of this period. Since most of the _Negombo hotels _are located near the beachfront, like Heritance Negombo, for example, you can expect to be picked up straight from your hotel and taken to your boat. The waters of the coast are home to find grouper, barramundi, snapper emperor, jackfish, bonefish, swordfish, marlin and even sharks.
Located on the island's east coast, Trincomalee is the perfect location to test your fishing abilities as the sea here is home to an abundance of big fish. Some of the highlights include big game like Snapper Emperor and Grouper that swim close to the shore, and Indian mackerel, barramundi, tuna, and seer fish swim just mere kilometers away. Head further out into the ocean and you will easily spot marlin, sailfish and sharks in the waters. The best time to fish is early morning as the sun rises - most tour operators will provide all the essential equipment, bait and safety gear, so you only need to bring water.
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A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
