Private Galle Day Tour & Scenic Coastal Drive from Colombo

Galle Fort, the Old Walled Town

Galle Fort is the best-preserved colonial fortress in South Asia. The Portuguese first built defences here in the late sixteenth century, and the Dutch rebuilt and enlarged them from the mid-seventeenth century into the massive stone ramparts you see today. Inside the walls is a living town of narrow streets, churches, mosques, old warehouses and colonial houses, protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A Galle Fort tour on foot is the best way to see it. Your guide walks you along the ramparts to the white lighthouse and the bastions facing the Indian Ocean, then through lanes lined with shops, cafés and galleries. Many visitors ask if Galle is worth a day trip from Colombo; the mix of history, sea views and relaxed atmosphere makes it one of the highlights of Sri Lanka.

Jungle Beach and Rumassala Hill

Just east of Galle, Rumassala hill rises above the coast, covered with thick forest and topped by a white peace pagoda that looks out over the sea and the fort. Below it lies Jungle Beach, a small sheltered cove reached down a short path through the trees, with calm, clear water that is usually good for swimming in the dry season.

Entry to Jungle Beach is included, and you have time to swim, relax on the sand or simply enjoy the view. Bring swimwear, a towel and modest cover-ups, along with sunscreen and a hat. Sea conditions change with the monsoon, and from about May to October the south-west coast can be rougher, so always follow your guide's advice before going into the water.

Stilt Fishermen and the South Coast

The stilt fishermen of southern Sri Lanka are one of the island's most famous sights. Sitting on a crossbar tied to a single pole planted in the shallow surf, they fish with simple lines, a technique said to have begun in the twentieth century when space on the rocks became scarce. Today only a few still fish this way, mostly between Galle and Weligama.

Your tour includes the viewing fee for the stilt fishermen, so you can watch and take photos at a spot where they gather. The scene is especially beautiful in the soft light of early morning or late afternoon. On the drive you also visit a village rebuilt after the 2004 tsunami, a moving reminder of the strength of the coastal communities, and temples along the way.

Hikkaduwa, the Madu River and the Coastal Drive

The coastal road south of Colombo passes palm-lined beaches, fishing villages and small towns. Hikkaduwa is a relaxed beach town known for its coral reef and surf, and a good place to stretch your legs by the sea. Near Balapitiya and Bentota, the Madu River winds through mangrove forest dotted with small islands, one of the most important wetlands in Sri Lanka.

A boat safari on the Madu River, with its mangroves, birds, monitor lizards and cinnamon island, can be added for an extra fee, as can visits to a sea turtle conservation centre at Kosgoda and a moonstone mine. Your guide helps you choose the stops that suit you. Lunch is not included, and the guide can recommend a good local restaurant along the coast.