Galle Day Tour: Explore Colonial History and Beautiful Beaches

Embark on a captivating 12-hour day tour to Galle, the picturesque colonial city boasting beautiful beaches. Discover its rich history, visit top attractions, and witness breathtaking sights. Book now!

Duration: 12 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Stilt Fishermen Sri Lanka - Complete your Galle day tour with a visit to see the amazing Stilt Fishermen in Weligama. The fishermen sit on a cross bar tied to a vertical pole which is planted in the coral reef and the stilt with one hand while seated and carry out rod and line fishing with the other hand. The practice of stilt fishing started about 50 years after the end of the Second World War when fishermen found that fishing off the rocks that protrude over the sea was not enough to catch fish in large numbers, so they started planting discarded metal pipes into the reef and using them to lean against and fish. Over time the fishermen discovered that timber worked just as well as developed the poles into the more modern day versions that we see today. It is a unique sight to behold and one that should not be missed as we watch and marvel at Man’s dexterity to overcome any hurdle.
  • Jungle Beach - climbed down toward the true destination of your day trip — Jungle Beach. Not another person in sight, just twin stretches of deserted sand trapped between the ocean and Rumassala Rock. Having just experienced the soul-crushing lameness of Unawatuna, this beach was exactly what we needed. Peace, solitude and gorgeous nature.
  • Galle Fort - Galle Dutch Fort - After learning about the sheer determination of the people through the art displayed at the Tsunami Photo Museum, let us now head down to the Galle Dutch Fort. With a tumultuous history dating back to several centuries, the city’s strategic location made it a hub for trade by sea and subsequently a landing point for the island’s colonial rulers. A fort was built to ensure protection and preservation of the city the Portuguese in early 16th Century and then extensively fortified by the Dutch during the 17th century. Originally the fort was an earthen structure with palisades, a rampart and three bastions and a moat surrounding it. Under the control of the Dutch, they built impregnable fortifications with coral and granite stones and the Fort resembled a small laid out walled town with a rectangular grid pattern of streets full of low houses with gables and verandas.
  • Tsunami Photo Museum - Tsunami Photo Museum - Your next stop will be at the Tsunami Photo Museum which is located in Talwatte. After the devastating Tsunami of 2004, which struck Sri Lanka along with many other countries, the recovery process has been slow, long as well as arduous. The coastal areas were the worst hit and re-development still continues with physical as well psycho-social rehabilitation being one of the most important areas. To ease the process so that people can talk and articulate about the horrors of the Tsunami as well as to provide a place where beauty and art is still in abundance, the Tsunami Photo Museum was established. It is a completely charitable museum which provides free entrance and has drawings, paintings, photographs – art in all its glory – to tell a story of every individual to lived through the Tsunami of 2004.
  • KOSGODA Turtle Conservation and Research Centre - Turtle Hatchery - Your day trip to Galle starts with a visit to Turtle Hatchery. Sri Lanka is home to many different wildlife creatures including sea- life and of the seven species of marine turtles in the world; five of them make their way to Sri Lanka to nest throughout the year. The five species of marine turtle nesting in Sri Lanka include the Green Turtle, the Leatherback, and the Hawksbill, the Loggerhead and the Olive Ridley.

Established to protect turtles that nest in the Sri Lankan beaches from extinction, the marine turtle hatcheries are operated by the Wild Life Protection Society of Sri Lanka and rely on volunteers to help with their conservation project. You can help release the turtles back into the sea and find out how we can help these endangered species live a little while longer..

What's Included
  • Bottled water
  • Lunch included
  • Comfortable in-vehicle AC
  • All fees and taxes covered
What's Not Included
  • Drinks
Additional Information

Experience the vibrant charm of Galle on this immersive 12-hour tour. Depart from Colombo or Negombo with a knowledgeable guide to explore top attractions, including a visit to the Turtle Hatchery, the picturesque Bentota Beach, and the poignant Tsunami Photo Museum. Witness the unique stilt fishermen in action before diving into the rich history of Galle Fort, a former trade hub with a fascinating past.

The tour includes convenient hotel pickup and drop-off, entrance tickets, and a delicious lunch. Book now to enjoy a day of cultural exploration and unforgettable sights in Galle!

  • A minimum of 2 people per booking is require
  • Minimum age is 6 years
  • Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
  • Note: Itinerary is designed according to time availability. Sanota Walkers will not responsible for any deviation as per client’s/Chauffeur request.
  • Please remember to bring your swimming kit for the jungle beach swim. The swim will last approximately one hour.
  • Anybody can join this memorable day tour
Location
Stilt Fishermen Sri Lanka
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.8
(86 Ratings)
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Czarrrrrr
Apr 23, 2024
Very highly recommended! - Had a really great time in Galle area. Beautiful place. This tour was awesomely executed, and the driver (and his son) and the tour agency owner were very helpful, friendly and accommodating.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
J_hannamar_aj2024
Mar 19, 2024
Unforgettable Galle Tour: A Day with Deshan - We went on a tour to Galle, and it exceeded our expectations. Our tour guide, Deshan, was simply amazing. His knowledge of the area, coupled with his friendly demeanor, made the experience truly memorable. The stops along the way were diverse, offering insights into the rich history and culture of Galle. From exploring the iconic Galle Fort to visiting jungle beach and a sea turtle conservation center. It was truly a great day, thanks to Deshan and the well-planned itinerary. Highly recommended for anyone looking to explore the beauty of Galle!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Michael_w
Mar 17, 2024
Wonderful day outting to Galle - We loved our day trip to Galle from Colombo because we could negotiate which activities to do or remove and the time spent at each activity thanks to our wonderful driver. The included lunch was very nice, the transportation car was comfortable and roomy and the driver provided great information - Thank you very much. I would recommend this tour to anyone especially the visit to the old Dutch fort, the various beaches and turtle hatchery.
Review provided by Viator
Frank_b
Jan 15, 2024
Fantastic tour - Fantastic tour from Colombo! Our driver was great and spoke English very well. Following the prompt pick-up from our hotel we were off to Galle. Great service from beginning to end.
Review provided by Viator
Tiac472
Dec 31, 2023
Amazing Tour on our honeymoon - My husband and I went on the tour in October while we were on our honeymoon. Deshan was our tour guide and he was great! It was a long day but we got to see so much ans Deshan was very flexible. We had such an amazing memorable time and definitely got our money's worth! I would recommend this tour to anyone!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Angela_g
Dec 7, 2023
Definite must do! - This was such a great day out. Deshan was a great driver who considered our needs at all times. Loved seeing the stilt fishermen who even caught a fish as we watched, seeing cinnamon growing on a tree at the spice garden; the Dutch fort; jungle beach; tsunami photo centre, the jewelry making but my favourite was the turtle centre. Such great work done by volunteers who really care about giving newly hatched turtles the best start.
Review provided by Viator
38travellover38
Oct 27, 2023
This is the best memory I will never forget! - This agency truly respected my feelings and intentions, allowing me to enjoy my time at my own pace. Mr. Tharindu, my guide, also took plenty of photos for me. I already miss Sri Lanka and I'd love to spend more time there. Hope I can go back there again so soon! If I were to point out one thing, it was regrettable that I felt pressured to purchase at the gem & jewelry shop. But they became beautiful souvenirs for my mom and me. Apart from this, everything else was truly perfect. Mr. Tharindu was a very kind, attentive, and careful person. He took care of me a lot! And the scenery in Galle was breathtaking. I highly recommend this tour for anyone who loves the sea, nature, and animals! This is the best memory I will never forget.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nathalief71
May 4, 2024
good experience - a nice experience, on the other hand it has become very touristy, the sinners ask for money to stage themselves and take photos However it remains very pleasant and it allows them to live better
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Y6887ypcristinab
Jan 25, 2024
beautiful - everything ok Galle is wonderful we had a wonderful day and the fisherman were very nice. the small and very sad tsunami museum.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Moritzk446
Dec 11, 2023
Informative, well-organized private tour - We were contacted by the provider in advance via WhatsApp and briefed on the most important points regarding the meeting point, the process and written information about the sights/stops. We really appreciated this. The documents - like the tour - were in English. However, the documents can easily be translated into German via WhatsApp if required. The guide was reservedly friendly, attentive and very informative. Thank you! As a European, you generally have to get used to the way people drive here in Sri Lanka. But the guide did this well. The included lunch was very fine and in a good restaurant right by the sea. We can absolutely recommend this tour. The three stops in the afternoon in the herb garden (in Bali they do this with tea tastings), gemstones, and probably also at the mask factory (we skipped that) are informative but ultimately more like sales events. But whether you want to buy something is up to you. But that loses one point in the rating. This should be better declared in the description. The positive thing about the private tour is that you can leave something out or see something else. The Tsunami Museum is rather small and the pictures are a bit yellowed. Still worth a visit, as it is run by someone who was affected and she describes the situation at the time very impressively. The fort is beautiful, but the whole complex is only designed for tourist purposes. There are lots of shops where the locals never go shopping because it is far too expensive. You don't see real life in Sri Lanka there.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
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