Day trip to Galle from Colombo: UNESCO fort and turtle feeding

Stilt fishermen balance on wooden poles in the shallow waters while you watch them cast lines at sunrise.

A full-day tour from Colombo to Galle, Sri Lanka's UNESCO-listed fort town, with a licensed English guide and hotel pickup. You explore the Galle Fort and Lighthouse at sunset, feed sea turtles at Hikkaduwa, take a Madu River boat safari through mangrove and cinnamon plantations, and witness the centuries-old stilt fishing technique at Koggala. The route also includes the Kande Viharaya Buddhist temple and Unawatuna jungle beach.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Galle and nearby attractions

• Visit Galle Fort historical sites
• See Galle Lighthouse at sunset
• Relax at Unawatuna jungle beach
• Learn about 2004 tsunami
• Feed turtles in Hikkaduwa
• Take Madu River boat safari
• Visit Kande Viharaya temple
• Watch stilt fishing in Koggala

The experience

The tour leaves Colombo and heads south along the coast, stopping first at the Kaluthara temple before reaching Hikkaduwa, where you feed and interact with sea turtles that come close to shore: early morning is when they're most active. From there, the Madu River boat safari takes you through mangrove channels to explore cinnamon plantations, spot crocodiles, and watch local fishing techniques. The guide handles the route and timing. You move between stops by vehicle and boat.

Stilt fishing at Koggala is the centerpiece of the afternoon. Fishermen perch on tall wooden poles anchored in shallow water, a practice passed down through generations, and the sight is most striking at sunrise or sunset. You also visit the Kande Viharaya, an ancient Buddhist temple with a massive Buddha statue where cultural activities take place. Unawatuna jungle beach offers a quieter moment to swim or walk, and the day builds toward the Galle Fort and Lighthouse at sunset, when the light turns the colonial walls gold.

The tour runs five to eleven hours depending on which stops you choose and how long you spend at each one. Bottled water is provided throughout, and the guide speaks English. Parking fees are covered. The route is wheelchair accessible, and infants can travel in a pram or stroller. Pickup from your Colombo hotel is included, so you don't arrange transport yourself.

What’s included

• Licensed English-speaking guide.
• hotel pickup from Colombo.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• parking fees.
• entry to Galle Fort.
• access to the Galle Lighthouse.
• turtle feeding at Hikkaduwa.
• Madu River boat safari with mangrove and cinnamon plantation exploration.
• stilt fisherman viewing at Koggala.
• visit to Kande Viharaya Buddhist temple.
• Unawatuna jungle beach access.
• mask museum entry.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 05:00, the last at 09:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (14 to 80 years) · Child (6 to 13 years) · Infant (1 to 5 years): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Audio guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Travel sense

Is this one for you?Book this shared tour if you want a guide-led route that hits the UNESCO fort and wildlife stops in sequence. Choose private if you'd rather linger at certain sites or skip ahead.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 13 years); Infant (1 to 5 years): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is stilt fishing and where do I see it on this tour?

Stilt fishing at Koggala is a centuries-old technique where fishermen balance on tall wooden poles anchored in shallow water and cast lines into the sea. You watch this traditional practice from the shore, and it's most photogenic at sunrise or sunset when the light is soft and the fishermen are most active.

Can I feed the turtles at Hikkaduwa, and when is the best time?

Yes, Hikkaduwa's Turtle Feeding Beach lets you feed and interact with sea turtles that come close to shore. Early mornings are when the turtles are most active and easiest to spot, so the timing of your tour affects how many you'll see.

What happens on the Madu River boat safari?

The Madu River safari takes you by boat through mangrove channels where you explore cinnamon plantations, learn about crocodile habitats, and watch local fishing methods. The boat moves slowly enough to see the ecosystem and wildlife up close.

Is the Galle Fort visit included, and when do we go there?

Galle Fort is included and is the final stop of the day. You explore the UNESCO World Heritage site and visit the Galle Lighthouse at sunset, when the colonial architecture and ocean views are at their best.

What is the Kande Viharaya temple like?

Kande Viharaya is an ancient Buddhist temple in Aluthgama with a gigantic Buddha statue. Visitors can observe and participate in Buddhist cultural activities, and it's a quiet contrast to the beach and wildlife stops earlier in the day.