Stilt Fishing is one of the most interesting traditional fishing methods of Sri Lanka. Records indicate that it came into being just after World War II. This mode of fishing was more widely used all along the coast until the tsunami in 2004 which caused such activities to cease temporarily until recent years. The beautiful sight of fishermen perched branched poles as they fish skillfully during dawn, noon and dusk; can now be commonly along the southern coast in towns such as Koggala, Kaththaluwa and Ahangama. Occasional stilt fishermen can also be seen amongst the waters of Madu River, etc. Though stilt fishermen make the activity seem easy and comfortable; stilt fishing requires much skill and balance. A vertical pole with an attached crossbar is embedded into the sea floor among the shallows, or on a riverbed. The crossbar allows the fishermen to be seated a couple of meters above the water causing minimal shadows on the water and hence little to no disturbance amongst the sea life. The stilt fishermen then use a rod from this precarious position to bring in a good catch of spotted herrings and small mackerels from the comparative shallows of the sea or from the river. They collect the catch in a bag tied to the pole or to their waist.

Don’t come here and interact with the fisherman. Once you accept them to take pictures , it cost a lot of money. We went there as group (5 people), they forced people to sit on the sticks, then asked for 10000 rupees.

The location is good but be aware of the locals who won’t say anything but if you climb the stilt, they will suddenly show up and ask for LKR1000 for photo. So if you see someone around, talk to them and negotiate the price first. I personally found it way too expensive for a picture.

The place was lovely but I could not see the stilt fisherman as promoted by others. In fact I was encountered by an agent who said that if I want to click the picture of Stilt fishermen , he can arrange 5 men for 5000 SriLankan rupees and I can click pictures accordingly. After we denied we were offered a discounted deal of 3 men for 3000 Rs. :D I think the fishermen now earn only by posing than by fishing. A SHEER CASE OF LOST LEGACY. REALLY DISSOPOINTED.

Well, it would have been a very interesting place if there were fishermen. Real fishermen. There were 3 men on the stilts; one of them even had a fish on his fishing rod. But as I was getting closer, I was approached by a man who said that if I want to take any pictures I have to pay. I said no and just observed from a distance. There was a swarm of tourists from a minivan nearby, but as soon as the tourists started heading back to the car, the so-called fishermen dismounted and headed back into the shade. As I was walking down the beach, I ran into another “fisherman + collector” pair offering services. It used to be a traditional trade and as much as I wanted to see it in life - what was in front of me was just “tourist milking” and I didn’t want to be part of it.

This traditional fishery has become mainly a tourist trap. It's nice to spend a few minutes at most

Stilt Fishing is one of the most interesting traditional fishing methods of Sri Lanka. This mode of fishing was more widely used all along the coast until the tsunami in 2004 which caused such activities to cease temporarily until recent years. Some of the fishermen are quite happy to show how they fish, and speak about their lives. There are also opportunities to try the activity if interested; not to mention the breathtaking photographic views provided by the fishermen silhouetted against the horizon at dawn and dusk.

Here you can see the fishing method which is endemic to the south....

Something unique to the deep South of Sri Lanka on the Koggala Beach. Get their early in the morning around 6am. to see the fishermen in action.

The place is definitely worth it for those interested in photography. Of course it's just a sham, but if you negotiate well you'll get magical pictures. We paid 1500 rupees for 4 fishermen and were able to easily shoot for 20 minutes. Portraits etc. and later we were even allowed to go up on the stilts with a fish we had caught. For someone who just wants to take a snapshot, it's probably not worth it

It is a beautiful area where you can take photos while sitting on the wooden pole, which is how the fishermen sits for fishing. Though if you wish to take a photo of them sitting on the wooden pole they charge an extortionate amount of LKR1000. Which I feel is too much for a photo. But the area is definitely worth a visit.

Beautiful views . You can get the local fishermen to pose for you while they fish for LKR 2000. For this amount you can get 5 fishermen on stilts to pose for Pictures

Super bummed about this spot. It's like a ghost town at Koggala Beach. A man approached me asking if I wanted a photo. He offered two men on stilts for 1000 rupees but I declined.

It is a dying method of fishing and these poor fisherman's still holds on to it. After the tsunami they were so affected because fishes around has chosen other areas due to less food around the corals. So now the fisherman's main way of income is to post for the photos and earn something from the tourists . So ur few dollars to them will help to feed their family's. They might not always on the sticks. But there inside their small hut In front. So you can talk to them and ask them to get on to the sticks and show you how it is done.

The tackiest tourist attraction in Sri Lanka. Many years ago stilt fishing may have been regular way to make fishing. Now it is regular way how to rob tourists. Few stilt fishermen are real fishermen. I got to know one of the - he was Polish chap doing holiday.

Pretty cool little tourist show but they actually catch fish. See the famous stick fishermen. Haggle to negotiate your price per person in the shot but in perspective it’s not much for a great pic.

Worst place I've ever visited in sri lanka and very disappointed. Once we went nearby that area one guy came to us and asking money saying cannot take any pictures from our phone if we don't give money. I went little far and took pictures anyway since it public area and not private beach. They aren't real fishermen's! not authentic! rude tourist money hunting people. Please be careful of this models they gonna ask 50$ for a picture if you are tourist. Agree for the amount you will pay before confirming as they ask too much amount after finishing if you haven't asked for a price.

this is the place to watch worldwide popular Iconic sri lankan stilt fishermen sceneries.Stilt Fishing is one of the most interesting traditional fishing methods of Sri Lanka. This mode of fishing was more widely used all along the coast until the tsunami in 2004 which caused such activities to cease temporarily until recent years. Some of the fishermen are quite happy to show how they fish, and speak about their lives. There are also opportunities to try the activity if interested; not to mention the breathtaking photographic views provided by the fishermen silhouetted against the horizon at dawn and dusk.

Best place to see stilt fishing. Nice place to visit.

Best Place in Sri Lanka for take photos and experience about the stilt fishing . mostly place was crowded from foreigners . they charge different amount from local and foreign .

Tourist alert! There’s no fisherman fishing. Only bunch of guys staying in the shadow and waiting for tourist to take money for pictures. They Asked 5000 for one picture with the fisherman and 1000 extra for each person that wants to climb on the pole. Outrageous! Avoid!

(Translated by Google) Sri Lanka has a very special way of fishing. “Living fishing” means erecting a piece of wood in the middle of the sea. People sit on the top fishing. Under normal circumstances, shooting fishermen need to pay a tip of 200-500 yuan in local currency. (Original) 斯里蘭卡有一種很特別的釣魚方式「立釣」就是在海中央豎立起一根木頭 人就坐在上方釣魚 一般情況下拍攝釣魚人需要支付200～500元當地貨幣的小費

This places near to Koggala Air Force

(Translated by Google) Made famous by the images of Steve McCurry these fishermen thought (well !!) of being a tourist attraction; fishing is practiced throughout the area in a modern way, the tradition remains alive thanks to the contribution of the few money spent by tourists and photographers for the exhibition. Worth noting in the area is the drying of the tuna exposed to the sun along the road. (Original) Resi famosi dalla immagini di Steve McCurry questi pescatori hanno pensato (bene!!) di fare da attrazione turistica; la pesca viene praticata in tutta l'area in maniera moderna, la tradizione rimane viva grazie all'apporto dei pochi denari spesi dai turisti e fotografi per l'esibizione . Da segnalare nella zona l'essiccazione del tonno esposto al sole lungo la strada.

❤️❤️💚

The Koggala Stilt Fisherman is a popular tourist attraction and has become a unique feature of the area. While they no longer engage in stilt fishing for real, they do pose on stilts to attract the attention of tourists passing by. I've heard that they charge a fee to allow visitors to take photographs of them while they are posing as if fishing. It's even possible to sit on the stilt and take pictures. However, I'm not sure if they charge locals for this service.

Maybe once there were real fishermen here. But now there are only clowns trying to charge 10k rupees for their photos

They’re not really fishing, they use plastic fish for the tourists’ instagram shots. And of course they go on the stick only after you’ve paid. If that’s what you like then go for it :) you can see other stilt fisherman further down the road without the scam.

Brilliant taking photos with these fisherman.

Koggala beach

(Translated by Google) In Sri Lanka, you definitely need to go to the fishing pier ... fishermen choose a place with few people and with beautiful landscapes ... they do not give pictures of themselves until they thank them (dollar, cigarettes, sweets) ... so that one of them catches there they didn’t observe fish, but to earn money in this way, these places definitely exist for this😜 (Original) В Шри Ланке обязательно нужно сходить на рыболовный пирс...место рыбаки выбирают малолюдные и с красивыми пейзажами...фотографировать себя не дают, пока их не отблагодарить (доллар, сигареты, сладости)...чтоб кто-то из них словил там рыбу не наблюдали, а вот заработать таким способом денежку, однозначно для этого такие места и существуют😜

(Translated by Google) It's nice to see, take a picture. But if local fishermen offer to take a photo, they will ask for money (Original) Классно посмотреть,пофоткаться. Но если местные рыбаки предложат сфоткаться,они будут просить денег

Traditional practice. Should be unique to the country. Specially in the southern coast. Again sunset hours or early morning is recommended.

Stop by this beauty, for the coconut trees and the sunset / sunrise views!

The local people ask for money. And no matter if you make pictures of them when they posing or if you make picture of you. So be ready

Nice Scenery, Really Enjoyed the View. Took some Wonderful Photographs.

(Translated by Google) Delicious menu (Original) Вкусное меню

Nice place and enjoy tourists

(Translated by Google) Here you can see the fishermen photo of course paid with them (Original) Здесь можно увидеть рыбаков фото конечно платные с ними

Good view during sunset.

Beautiful place, but the thing I didn't like is all these are just dummies. I wanted to experience the real stilt fishing activity with the fishermen. However these were just the demo slits installed to attract tourists. The people here charge 1000LKR to go over and get pictures and videos clicked with the stilts. During the off season, If you negotiate, you'll be able to get that in 500LKR too.

Well,firstif all the one you see here is a little demonstration for photography purposess. So, you might have to pay. However, the methid of stilt fishing does exist; only in very limited areas at very limited places. This was a much popular method among locals, specially among those who arent professional fishermen but villagers who fancy some fish in the dish. Usually, as far as I know, real stilt fishing takes place in the morning and evening; mostly in the evenings. The place looks absolutely colourful in.the evening!

Good

Nice place to enjoy the leisure time ❤️

This is a kind of performance for tourists. However, they present an old way of fishing. They lost their jobs due to the 2004 tsunami. Today they pose for tourist photos. You may easily help these people. If you give out of your pocket some spare money eg. 5 €, ￡5 or ＄5 (an equivalent of chicken legend with cool mayo) you will not a looser. I did it in March 2017. Anyway, it’s a nice beach. It’s worth a look there.

it's okay to charge(for the photos), but the end price is very different than the beginning, and it's not okay to make money like this. And even though you said no to them already, they still continue to follow you, it's truly uncomfortable.

Fake tourist attraction! They want money to allow pictures. (tourist buses stops here) Disgusting behavior. You better go along on the shore and will find real fishermen who you can take pics of.

Calm and silent butifull place

We can take awesome picture in catch fish while perched on a cross shaped beam.

Sri lankan typical fishing method..

Awesome view. Try to be there at evening to take amazing photos.

Beautiful to go and see, but they no longer fish like this so they will change you a fee to watch them demonstrate

Nice place near in Koggala

Traditional fishing method of srilanka

They do not demonstrate how they perform their duties, and they charge you 1000 Rupees which is equivalent to 5 USD to use your phone or camera to take a pic.

(Translated by Google) Let's not kid ourselves, everything just a show for the tourists. Still a great location (Original) Machen wir uns nix vor, alles nur Show für die Touris. Dennoch eine tolle Location

Nice place

Weligama beach what a nice place to spent an evening.

(Translated by Google) Nice place (Original) Schöner Ort

Scam

(Translated by Google) Now fishing is not about life, it is about showing to tourists. (Original) 이젠 낚시가 생활이 아니라, 관광객에 보여주기가 되었습니다.

Good good always

Ideal for a beautiful photo shoot!

as a Sri Lankan I don't like that.they are always drink liquor . It is not Traditional .just only business ... Very sorry for this comment

This place has become more of a many making machine for the local people. Once you arrive there they start yelling at you to pay before you can even take any picture. I ended up paying 1000 rupees just to take these

Koggala is the another best place in down south more tourists like to visit this place Still fisherman

Due to the lack of fish crops, this place is maintained for photographs only. Rs.1,000 per person will be charged. Fisherman are photo friendly. They help you wash your legs on the way out.

Not real. They sit on sticks to earn money. So sad. We have to pay them for photos. One guy is hanging on the road to collect money

Must visit in Sri Lanka

Worth a visit. How sri lankan fisherman uses stilts to fish. No longer used. Can be easily located.

(Translated by Google) No one I went to early in the morning, local features in the evening? Still used to perform (Original) 我一早去的没什么人，本地的特色在晚上？还是用来表演下

(Translated by Google) It was empty ... (Original) Было пусто...

Very beautiful beach.fishermen only arrive for tourists and charge fir photos.there are small shops( maybe not as hygienic as we expect) where u can get a cup of tea with a snack.

(Translated by Google) Very nice (Original) Очень красиво

a very entertaining attraction, to play the role of a fisherman himself

One of the finest places to visit during evening times for some good photos. Clear water , less crowded.