South Coast day tour from Galle: Madu River, turtles, fort

Mangrove boat safari, turtle hatchery, and 423-year-old fort in one day

A full-day tour from Galle covering the south coast with a live English-speaking guide and air-conditioned vehicle: boat through the Madu River mangrove wetlands (61 hectares, 111 bird species), the Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation Project where 3.5 million hatchlings have been released since 1988, and Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site built by the Portuguese in 1588 and fortified by the Dutch from 1649 onward. Pickup is included. Children from age one are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation Project1h · entry included
2. Galle Fort2h

Explore South Coast highlights

• Take Madu River Boat Safari
• Visit Kosgoda Sea Turtle Hatchery
• Enjoy Hikkaduwa beach and snorkeling
• Walk around Galle Dutch Fort

The experience

The day starts on the water. The Madu River boat safari takes you through 61 hectares of mangrove forest where 14 of the 24 Sri Lankan mangrove species grow. The swampy marshlands shelter over 300 plant species, 19 of them found nowhere else, and the trees themselves act as a natural barrier. They protected this region during the 2004 tsunami. Bird watchers find over 111 species here, and the forest also holds 31 types of reptiles, wild boar, monkeys and squirrels among the larger animals.

Next is the Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation Project, established in 1988 to protect Sri Lanka's turtles from extinction. The hatchery collects eggs laid along the beach at night, buries them in sand, and releases the hatchlings into the sea around 50 days later: roughly 3.5 million baby turtles have been returned to the ocean since the project began. The facility also keeps tanks for injured or disabled turtles, including albino turtles that cannot survive in the wild. October through April is peak egg-laying season, though some eggs appear year-round.

The tour ends at Galle Fort, a 423-year-old UNESCO World Heritage site on the southwest coast. Built first by the Portuguese in 1588 and extensively fortified by the Dutch starting in 1649, the fort stands as a record of European and South Asian architecture across three centuries. You can walk the ramparts and explore the old city for shopping. The fort withstood the Boxing Day tsunami and has since been restored. Your guide drives an air-conditioned vehicle and provides bottled water throughout the day.

What’s included

• Live English-speaking guide.
• air-conditioned vehicle with pickup from your hotel.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• all fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day8 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 14:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (13 to 90 years) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Infant (1 to 5 years): 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.

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 5 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Bhathiya Tours

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want to see four south coast sites in one day with a driver-guide who explains the mangrove ecosystem, turtle conservation, and fort history as you travel by vehicle and boat.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 12 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 the Madu River boat safari like?

The Madu River Safari takes you by boat through 61 hectares of mangrove forest where 111 bird species live, along with monkeys, squirrels, wild boar and 31 types of reptiles. The mangroves cover swampy marshlands and are home to over 300 plant species, 19 of them endemic to the area.

How many baby turtles has the Kosgoda hatchery released?

The Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation Project has released approximately 3.5 million baby turtles into the sea since it was established in 1988 to protect Sri Lanka's turtles from extinction.

When were Galle Fort and the Dutch Fort built?

Galle Fort was first built by the Portuguese in 1588, then extensively fortified by the Dutch from 1649 onward. The fort is now a UNESCO World Heritage site recognized for its unique blend of European architecture and South Asian traditions spanning the 16th to 19th centuries.

What's included in the tour price?

The tour includes a live English-speaking guide, air-conditioned vehicle transport, bottled water, and all fees and taxes. Hotel pickup is also included.