Stilt Fishing Koggala

The southern coast of Sri Lanka is renowned for its diverse and plentiful marine life, as well as its gorgeous views and perspectives. One such location on the southern coast is Koggala, where the ancient fishing technique known as stilt fishing is practiced. In 1995, the photography legend Steve McCurry captured this community in Koggala through his lens, and ever since , it has become a bucket-list destination for most travelers.

Stilt fishing is a type of fishing in which the angler sits patiently on a vertical pole with crossbars while waiting for a catch. The vertical pole itself, which is buried in the ocean's shallow depths, is roughly three or four meters high. This fishing method, sometimes referred to as "Ritipanna" in Sinhala, is well-known in places like Weligama, Dikwella, and Tangalle. The sight of these fishermen sitting on stilts, silhouetted against the ocean's golden sunset, will be so striking that it will remain in your mind for a long time after they have been seen.

Things to do

Photographing the Stilt Fishermen

Observing and/or photographing Koggala's stilt fishermen at work is a fascinating experience. The fishermen's little-known truth is that they don't make enough money from stilt fishing on their own to support themselves on a daily basis. As a result, they essentially perform for tourists and visitors who are passionate about the subject. As a result, they only typically go stilt fishing at sunset or sunrise.

Do a Koggala Lake Safari

A morning or an evening boat safari on the Koggala Lake would be a memorable experience that is too good to be missed in this fishing village. On the lake , there are plenty of endemic and migrant birds , monkeys, and reptiles. Keep an eye on the elusive crocodile or the giant jelly-fish that glide by the boat.

Best Time to Visit

Since it is believed that the fish only visit the shallow waters in the early morning and late afternoon, stilt fishing often lasts from early morning until around nine in the morning. They then depart the area until dusk. In the late afternoon, the stilt fishermen return to their locations and remain there until approximately 4:30 to 5:00 p.m, when they think the fish depart for deeper waters. The greatest seasons to see stilt fishermen fishing are May through September, when the southwestern monsoon season is in full swing. They typically capture smaller fish like mackerel and spotted herring.

What to Wear and Bring

Since this is a beach region and will likely be visited by visitors, warm-weather clothing is recommended.

Getting There

After you reach Galle, you can continue eastward on the A2 road to Koggala. You will travel by Unawatuna, Talpe, and Habaraduwa before reaching Koggala. Follow the Matara road until you pass the Koggala Police Ground and Koggala Police Station, which are on the left side of the road. From there, it's just a short drive to the stilt fishing location, which is on the right side of the road, which is the ocean side.

Accessibility

The location where you may see the stilt fisherman is on a ridge-like terrain close to the ocean, where the water is shallow. Therefore, it is quite easy for anyone to see the stilt fishermen in all their splendor. And no, even though the waters appear to be shallow, you will not be permitted to wade into them. Stay away, be careful, snap pictures, and take in the scenery. If you are a bit more adventurous, you could, with the help of the fishermen, board one of these sticks and try your hand at fishing.

Final Thoughts

Like Cascais in Portugal or Hout Bay in South Africa, Koggala is the typical fishing village of the south of Sri Lanka. So, do not forget to taste some of the best seafood in the island while embracing the merry lifestyle of the fishing community in Koggala.