Koggala is a small place on Sri Lanka’s south coast, but it is full of things to see and do. We are a stilt fishing family who have always lived here, and these are the places we send our own guests to, with honest tips on when to go and what to expect.
The reason most people come to Koggala. Fishermen sit on a crossbar tied to a single pole in the surf and fish with a handmade rod and a bait-free hook. Come at sunrise or late afternoon, see the handmade tools and, when the sea is calm, try sitting on a stilt yourself. Real fishing depends on the fish, so ask us before you come. Start with our stilt fishing visitor guide and is stilt fishing real or fake?
Koggala Lake is a large lagoon with small islands, mangroves and plenty of birds. A boat ride takes you to an island where a family shows how cinnamon is grown and peeled by hand, and you can taste cinnamon tea and buy fresh sticks and oil. Many trips also stop at a small island temple. Go in the morning or late afternoon, when it is cooler and the birds are active. Details are on our Koggala Lake safari page.
Most people think tea grows only in the hills, but there are tea gardens near the coast too. Close to Koggala, Handunugoda Tea Estate is known for its “virgin white tea”, a rare, delicate tea picked and handled with great care. A short visit includes a walk through the tea, a look at how it is made and a tasting of many different teas. It is an easy half-morning trip from Koggala.
Giniwella temple is a quiet village temple near Koggala that local families say is around 200 years old. It is not a big tourist site, which is part of its charm: you see an everyday Buddhist temple used by the people who live here. Dress respectfully, with shoulders and knees covered, take off your shoes and hat before entering, and never pose with your back to a Buddha statue for photos. Ask us and we can show you the way.
Habaraduwa, next to Koggala, has several turtle hatcheries that collect eggs from the beach, let them hatch safely and release the baby turtles into the sea. Visits are short and popular with families. Choose a hatchery that releases hatchlings quickly and does not keep many adult turtles in small tanks, and avoid handling the turtles. Sea turtles also nest on beaches along this coast.
Along the Galle–Matara road around Koggala you will find batik workshops where you can watch artists draw with hot wax and dye the cloth, and buy sarongs, shirts and wall hangings straight from the makers. Real batik is coloured right through the cloth. Read the story of the craft in Traditional Crafts of Koggala.
Martin Wickramasinghe, one of Sri Lanka’s greatest writers, was born in Koggala, and his childhood home is now a museum. Around the old house are a folk museum of village life, with tools, carts, masks and household objects, and peaceful gardens. Many of his books describe Koggala and its people. Allow about an hour.
Koggala has a long, wide beach that is often almost empty, perfect for a sunrise or sunset walk and for photos of the stilt fishermen. The sea can be strong, especially from May to September, so swim only where locals swim and never alone. The best months for the beach are usually December to April.
Kabalana beach in Ahangama, a few minutes east of Koggala, is one of the south coast’s favourite surf spots. There are surf schools, board rental and beach cafes. Beginners should take a lesson, as the waves break over reef in places. The surf season on this coast runs mainly from about November to April.
If you want to fish yourself, local fishermen from Koggala, Weligama and Mirissa take small groups out to sea for line fishing. Trips usually leave early in the morning, and you can often have your catch cooked afterwards. It is a very different experience from stilt fishing, and a good way to see how this coast lives from the sea. Ask about life jackets and the weather before you go.
Mirissa, about half an hour east of Koggala, is one of the best places in the world to see blue whales. Boats leave very early in the morning, and you may also see sperm whales, dolphins and turtles. The main season is roughly November to April. Choose an operator that keeps a respectful distance from the whales, and take sea-sickness tablets if you need them.
Half an hour west of Koggala, Galle Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with old walls, a lighthouse, museums, shops and cafes. Walk the ramparts at sunset. To learn how Galle and the south coast grew through sea trade, read Ancient Ships of Sri Lanka.
Tell us your dates and where you are staying. We will help you fit the stilt fishermen together with the lake, tea, turtles or whales in an order that makes sense with the sea and the timing.
Plan on WhatsApp See experiences and pricesFor a second day, start very early with whale watching from Mirissa (in season). See also the best time to visit, getting to Koggala and our visit cost guide.
Koggala is best known for its traditional stilt fishermen, Koggala Lake with its islands and cinnamon, the Martin Wickramasinghe Folk Museum and a long sandy beach on the south coast of Sri Lanka.
One full day covers the stilt fishermen, the lake and the museum. With two or three days you can add white tea, a turtle hatchery, surfing at Kabalana and whale watching from Mirissa.
Whale watching boats leave from Mirissa, about half an hour from Koggala. The main season is roughly November to April, when the sea is calmer on the south coast.
Sometimes. The sea can be strong, especially from May to September. Swim only where locals swim, never alone, and ask your hotel or us about conditions that day.
Kabalana beach in Ahangama, a few minutes east of Koggala, is a popular surf spot with surf schools and board rental. Beginners do best with a lesson.
