Amazing Things to Do in Negombo—A Magical Beach Resort on the West Coast

A once sleepy fisher village, Negombo's biggest allure is the beach. Enjoy the large sandy banks dotted with traditional wooden canoes. Chill under the swaying branches of coconut palms, swim in the warm ocean and work on your tan. You've got plenty of choices when it comes to being a beach bum in Negombo, plus some pretty unique off-the-beaten-path spots to enjoy. Listed among the top places to visit in Sri Lanka, Negombo offers scuba diving and snorkelling adventures. Explore the reef and the myriad of sea life thriving there or hire a boat and enjoy a day of sailing.

The wooden canoes that fishermen in Negombo use offer quite the adventure for travellers seeking an adrenaline rush. Hire one and set off into the ocean for a nail-biting ride that you won't forget. There is just enough space for your legs on the crafts, which adds to the thrill of riding over, and through the waves on the narrow vessel.

This one is not for the squeamish, and the Negombo fish market is not a pretty place; instead, it offers an insight into the lifestyles of the locals. Head over to the market at first light and you can be a part of the excitement when fresh catches are brought in from the ocean and are auctioned off. You can buy your choice of seafood and take it along to your hotel to be prepared or simply explore the place to be a part of the excitement.

Negombo lagoon is one of the largest on the island and is a beautiful, verdant place to explore. A boat tour of the lagoon will reveal the bio-diverse environs of the lagoon and its banks, which is home to mangrove forests, aquatic animals, and birds. The lagoon is famous for its bounty of mud crabs and prawns, which makes Negombo one of the best places for enjoying this delicacy. The large juicy prawns and giant mud crabs of Negombo are prepared in a variety of styles at the restaurants and beach cafes of Negombo. Check out Truly Sri Lanka for more details on the area and other popular destinations on the island.

The Hamilton Canal in Negombo boasts a rich history. The canal started as a part of a water route established by the Dutch, who used canals as a means of transporting cinnamon logs to ports in Colombo, the south, and the East. Therefore, Hamilton Canal is often called the Old Dutch Canal, although it was officially established as a proper canal by the British colonists. Spanning a length of 14 km, the canal is a good place for a boat ride.