The perfect way to spend the rest of your day after visiting the stilt fishermen
Koggala Lake sits just inland from the coast, only minutes from where the stilt fishermen work — making it one of the easiest, most natural add-ons to a stilt fishing visit. A boat safari across the lake takes you past several small islands, each with something different to see.
Koggala Lake is home to water monitors and crocodiles, usually spotted resting along the banks or half-submerged near the reeds — your boatman will know where to look. Troops of monkeys move through the trees on several of the islands, and the lake is also a good spot for birdwatching, with herons, kingfishers, and other waterbirds common along the shallows.
One of the most popular stops on the lake is Cinnamon Island, where local growers demonstrate the traditional process of peeling and preparing cinnamon bark by hand — a craft that, much like stilt fishing, has been passed down through generations in this part of the coast. It's a hands-on, short stop that most visitors enjoy, and a chance to see another piece of local heritage in the same afternoon.
A few of Koggala Lake's islands hold small, quiet Buddhist temples, some dating back generations. They make a peaceful stop on the boat route, away from the main coastal road, and give a sense of the lake's history beyond wildlife-watching.
Because Koggala Lake is so close to where we take visitors to see the fishermen, it's easy to arrange both in a single day — stilt fishing in the early morning or evening, and a lake safari in between. Ask us when you message about your visit and we'll help you plan the timing.
Ask us about combining both →