Coastal Ride to Galle from Colombo Seaport
Description
Experience the magnificent southern coast of Sri Lanka with its beautiful coconut palm-fringed beaches and picturesque views. On this full-day private tour, take a river safari on the Madu Ganga. Take the option to explore the Hikkaduwa coral reefs (own expense) before visiting historical Galle. Stroll through the Dutch-built Galle Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Colombo Port in Sri Lanka serves as a crucial maritime hub in the Indian Ocean region, facilitating international trade and commerce. With modern facilities and strategic location along major shipping routes, it plays a vital role in connecting global markets, fostering economic growth, and promoting regional development.
Madu River in Sri Lanka is a serene water body renowned for its scenic beauty and biodiversity. Located in the southwestern region, it offers boat rides through mangrove forests, showcasing rich avian life and diverse flora. The river is a vital source of livelihood for local communities engaged in fishing and traditional activities. Visitors can experience the tranquility of the surroundings while exploring the river's intricate network of channels and islets.
Meetiyagoda, located in southern Sri Lanka, is renowned for its unique moonstone mines. These shimmering semi-precious stones, known for their iridescent sheen, are mined here amidst lush greenery. Visitors can witness the traditional methods of extraction and purchase exquisite moonstone jewelry, making it a gem enthusiast's paradise. Hear more about the difficulties faced by the miners. Grab the opportunity to purchase some marvellous pieces; though you will need to haggle to get a reasonable price. This tour shows you the traditions of one of the oldest trades in Sri Lankan history - gem mining.
Hikkaduwa Beach, located on the southwestern coast of Sri Lanka, is renowned for its golden sands and vibrant atmosphere. Framed by palm trees swaying in the tropical breeze, the beach offers a picturesque setting for sunbathing, swimming, and water sports. Its crystal-clear waters are perfect for snorkeling and diving, revealing a colorful underwater world teeming with marine life and coral reefs. Along the shore, visitors can find bustling beachfront cafes, bars, and markets, creating a lively and welcoming ambiance for travelers from around the globe.
The Sea Turtle Hatchery Centre in Mahamodara, Sri Lanka, is a vital sanctuary dedicated to the conservation of endangered sea turtles. Nestled along the picturesque coast, it serves as a haven for these magnificent creatures, protecting their eggs and nurturing hatchlings until they are ready for release into the ocean. Through education and outreach programs, the center raises awareness about the importance of sea turtle preservation, offering visitors a unique opportunity to witness these ancient marine beings up close.
Discover the city of Galle, where the Portuguese and Dutch made their headquarters, and its secrets. Visit the Galle Fort which is one of the best preserved fortifications in Asia. View the Maritime Museum, Galle National Museum and the lighthouse. Walk through the cobblestoned streets with their Dutch names as you learn more about their histories.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Gate No A1, Port of Colombo, 19 Chaithya Rd, Colombo 00100
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(4)
We would highly recommend this tour for something different once you've visited Colombo. The timings were worked around our ships arrival and departure. Our tour guide for the day was Kanishka and he was superb, we tweeted the itinerary slightly and he was always obliging and informative about the things we did and saw. He also took lots to f pictures for us as he knew exactly where to stand th get the perfect shot. We had a fantastic day and he made the tour that extra bit special. Many thanks
J32049U03 Thank you so much for taking the time to review your experience and our service. We are thrilled to hear the lasting impression the experience has left on you, Your wonderful comments and positive feedback are a great incentive for us to further ensure and enhance our level of service for the future as well. We hope to have you again here in Sri Lanka.
Would highly recommend this tour for something different to see once you've visited Colombo. Timings we're worked around our ships departure time. Kanishka Kapilaratne was our tour guide for the day and he was superb, we tweaked the itinerary slightly and he was always obliging and informative about everything we saw. He took lots of pictures for us and knew just where to stand to get the perfect shot. We had a great day and he made the tour that extra bit special
Mega weather ,super crew .come back .. big thank you say Mirona and Inga Husfeld😉😊 big thank you to Richi
It was not the best start to the tour as the ship docked at the container port that was 5 km from Gate 1 where we expected to be docked. We therefore had to pay $15 for a taxi to Gate 1. Once we arrived at the gate we expected our driver to be there but had to telephone to let him know we were there. Our driver Aseef explained about the traffic in Colombo and when we set off 15 minutes late, after driving through the city we realised how timing could be an issue. Mindful of this we said that we would be flexible with the time we were at each stop to ensure that we had enough time to get back to the ship. We were amazed not to have been involved in any collisions with the tuk tuks and motor cyclists weaving in and out. It took over an hour to get out of the city but once we were, the countryside opened up and our first stop was at a turtle hatchery where they allowed us to hold the day old hatchlings and other rather large, older turtles. Our next stop was to take a boat ride on the Madhu river. Unfortunately, the boat was not suitable for anyone with impaired mobility as one of our group could not get into the boat. This should nave been made clear on the description when looking to make a booking, hence a reduction in the rating for the tour. We could have stopped at a beach for swimming but chose not to. Our ultimate destination was Galle, and we had enough time to be driven through the walled part and visit the lighthouse. Our driver was very accommodating to our needs... it was a private tour, only 4 of us in the vehicle, and he was informative, answered our questions and was easy to understand. We got back in plenty of time for the ship and he took us back to the gate nearest to the ship. I would recommend this tour as we saw places that the ship's tour did not and was good value for money.
J19313 Thank you so much for taking your time to share an insightful review of your experience and our service. We are thrilled to hear the lasting impression the experience has left on you, Your wonderful comments and positive feedback is a great incentive for us to further ensure and enhance our level of service for the future as well.
