Private Day Tour Southern Sri Lanka: Bentota, Galle & Madu River

One van, one guide, five stops along the southern coast

A private all-day tour of southern Sri Lanka departing from Bentota with hotel pickup, visiting an ancient temple, a sea turtle conservation project, Madu River's wetland islands, a moonstone mine and Galle Fort. The tour runs 12 to 14 hours and includes entrance fees to all attractions, lunch, bottled water, and an English-speaking chauffeur guide in a private vehicle with fuel.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation Project1h · entry included
2. Galle Fort1h · entry included

Explore southern Sri Lanka coastal sites

• Pick up from hotel
• Visit Kande Vihara temple
• Visit Kosgoda turtle hatchery
• Explore Madu river islands and wildlife
• Visit natural moonstone mine
• Walk through Galle Dutch fort
• Drive back to hotel

The experience

The route starts two hours inland at Kande Vihara temple, where one of Sri Lanka's largest Buddha statues sits inside an ancient shrine. From there the tour moves to Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation Project, a working hatchery where you see turtles of different sizes and learn how the breeding program operates. The stops build toward the coast: Madu River comes next, a sprawling wetland where you explore roughly 25 islands by boat, passing mangrove forests, bird colonies and small island temples that sit inside the largest lagoon on the southern shore.

After the river, a stop at a natural moonstone mine shows how the stone is extracted and processed into finished pieces. The day ends at Galle Fort, a Dutch colonial structure built into the coastline where you walk through museums and old buildings inside the fortified walls before the drive back to your hotel. A professional chauffeur guide travels with you the whole time, driving a comfortable private vehicle and handling all entrance fees, so the only logistics you manage is showing up at pickup.

What’s included

• Entrance fees for Kande Vihara temple, Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation Project, Madu River, the moonstone mine and Galle Fort.
• buffet lunch.
• bottled water.
• private comfortable vehicle with fuel.
• English-speaking chauffeur guide for the full 12 to 14 hours.
• hotel pickup and return.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

Book up to10h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Negombo Transfer

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to move at your own pace through temples, the turtle hatchery, and Madu River: your private vehicle and English-speaking guide let you linger where you choose rather than follow a group schedule.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What is the Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation Project and what do you see there?

Kosgoda is a working hatchery dedicated to breeding and protecting sea turtles. You see turtles at different life stages and sizes, and learn about the conservation work that keeps the breeding program running.

How long is the boat ride through Madu River and what islands are there?

The Madu River exploration covers roughly 25 islands scattered across the largest wetland on the southern coast. The route passes through mangrove forests, past bird colonies and small temples built on individual islands within the lagoon.

What happens at the moonstone mine stop?

The natural moonstone mine visit shows you how the stone is mined from the ground and then processed and cut in the factory, so you see both the raw extraction and the finished product.

Is this tour suitable for people with mobility concerns?

Yes. The tour is wheelchair accessible, all areas and surfaces at the attractions are wheelchair accessible, and transportation options are wheelchair accessible. Infants and small children can travel in a pram or stroller.

What's included in the price and what isn't?

Entrance fees for all five attractions, a buffet lunch, bottled water, the private vehicle and fuel, and the English-speaking guide are all included. Breakfast and dinner are not included, nor is tipping for service providers.

How does pickup work?

Hotel pickup is included in the tour price. The guide and driver collect you from your accommodation in Bentota and return you there at the end of the day.