Negombo Things To Do

The lively beach at Negombo in Sri Lanka is the main attraction here - a wide stretch of golden sand, backed by a collection of hotels, bars and restaurants. As well as sunbathing, swimming and water sports, visitors can sit back and watch the local fishermen as they bring in their catch of the day.

 

The winds create ideal conditions for windsurfing in Negombo, with the Sri Lankan resort a popular venue for avid enthusiasts, and the site of international competitions. Other activities to try include wakeboarding, kite surfing, waterskiing and even barefoot waterskiing on the lagoon.

Negombo is home to a number of dive shops, and there are many boats regularly departing for the offshore coral reef, with its wealth of marine life and tropical fish, such as angelfish and moray eels. Diver operators are only open during the main holiday season. Snorkelling is also available from the beach.

 

Visitors can enjoy organised trips and cruises on local fishing boats - either down the scenic coastline, past small villages, or along the rivers that and marshes run through the lush green jungle. Options include chartering a boat and crew, renting a sailboat or joining a deep-sea fishing trip. 

 

The town centre and hotels offer facilities such as swimming pools, tennis and squash courts, gyms and spas. Bikes can be hired from the resort, with beach roads and scenic canal paths to follow.

 

There are colourful markets, shops and stalls in and around Negombo selling locally made goods and handicrafts, with special gifts and souvenirs to buy including carved masks, jewellery, batiks and sarongs. For an extra-special memento, visit a tailor to arrange a custom-made cotton or silk piece whilst on holiday.

 

A holiday in Negombo is a good chance to tour the temples, mosques and churches of the region, and view the local art and architecture, with popular sites being Angurukaamula Temple and the Buddhist Temple. Many of the resort's hotels host Cultural Evenings with traditional dancers and musicians.

 

A major tourist attraction in the area, the Elephant Orphanage, lies about an hour away in Pinnawela, and features tours and interaction with the rescued animals. Other excursions and day trips include the Portuguese fort, dolphin and whale-watching boat trips along the west coast, spice gardens, coconut plantations, tea factories and a trip to the capital, Colombo.