Sri Lanka · GALLE TOURS

The 15 Best Galle Tours & Day Trips

37 tours  ·  from $12

Inside the ramparts it is a walking town; everything else is a drive along the coast. These 15 cover the fort lanes, the whale boats out of Mirissa, the turtle beaches and the safari runs east, priced and timed.

Whales and Dolphins Watching-Luxury Super Grade Cruiser(Hotel Pick up offered) - The long search for whales
Dolphin Watching, Galle Tours, Tour Reviews, VIP, Whale Watching

Whales and Dolphins Watching-Luxury Super Grade Cruiser(Hotel Pick up offered)

1.Whales and Dolphins Watching-Luxury Super Grade Cruiser(Hotel Pick up offered)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,268 reviews · from $65Our pick

Set out from Mirissa at 6:30 am on a cruiser carrying up to 40 people. The crew searches for blue whales, fin whales, sperm whales, and dolphins, with breakfast, tea, coffee, and a restroom included. Hotel pickup may be available, but confirm the exact fee and return arrangements before booking.

“After having experienced whale watching in several places, this particular activity turned out to be a nightmare. Firstly they asked us to report by 6:10 am and the boat did not depart until 7:05 am. The boat was extremely dirty and not well Read more”

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Galle: Traditional Gems & Jewellery Workshop with Transfers - Choosing a stone and a design
Galle Tours, Tour Reviews, Workshops

Galle: Traditional Gems & Jewellery Workshop with Transfers

2.Traditional Gems & Jewellery Workshop with Transfers

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 539 reviews · 4 hours · from $13

At Chandralal Jewelry Works near Kotapola, you learn traditional silver jewelry techniques with guidance from Hasara, Sarah, Ashan, and the family team. Choose a ring, pendant, earrings, or bracelet, examine local stones, help shape your piece, and share lunch or dinner at the family home.

“I loved this amazing workshop and the beautiful ring I made with the help of the very kind and talented artisans! All of the people working there (the translator, artisans and the family hosting us) were very accomodating and simply lovely! It was very informative and also fun to see all the steps which go into making a silver ring with an embedded gem stone and we could try all the different techniques (heating the silver, hammering and folding it, flattening it with a press, adding texture with a little hammer and at the end we also polished the rings) and even got some very delicious dinner at the end!…”

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Sea waves sri lankan cooking class - Key details that make this class different
Cooking Classes, Galle Tours, Tour Reviews, Workshops

Sea waves sri lankan cooking class

3.Sea waves sri lankan cooking class

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 467 reviews · from $59

Join Susanthi and a chef with more than 30 years of experience for a private-style Sri Lankan cooking class near Unawatuna. Visit fish and vegetable markets, choose ingredients, cook five vegetables with fish or chicken, then eat beside a jungle view.

“great experience and atmosphere, from buying ingredients to a great tasting lunch, the lady of the house was a great cook and in a good mood!! I recommend”

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Galle Fort Walking tour - Meeting at the Clock Tower
Galle Fort Walking Tours, Galle Fort Walking Tours in Galle, Galle Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours

Galle Fort Walking tour

4.Galle Fort Walking tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 285 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $15

Walk Galle Fort with Madawa Galagedara, a local English-speaking guide who explains its Dutch, Portuguese, and Sri Lankan past. In 90 minutes, you’ll see Moon, Star, and Sun Bastions, the ramparts, Dutch Reformed Church, Dutch Hospital, lighthouse, drainage system, and Pedlar’s Street.

“The walking tour was absolutely great! Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and shared far more information than you would normally expect on a tour. You could really feel his passion for the topic. On top of that, he was very friendly, laughed a lot, and his positive energy was contagious – he truly carried the whole tour with his enthusiasm. It was both informative and fun. Highly recommended!”

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Snorkeling with Turtles in Mirissa - A private hour in the water
Galle Tours, Snorkeling, Tour Reviews

Snorkeling with Turtles in Mirissa

5.Snorkeling with Turtles in Mirissa

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 268 reviews · from $25

Meet at Araliya Restaurant near Mirissa, walk about five minutes to the beach, and spend an hour snorkeling with a private guide. Look for turtles, coral, and fish from shore, with equipment, safety help, and underwater photos and videos included. Guide Punsara is one named contact.

“The guide was very kind and helpful. It didn't take many minutes before he could show us the first turtle. We saw several turtles, both small and large. We were also offered to swim out to look at the fish in the coral reef, which we accepted. We ended up swimming in the middle of a large shoal of fish. Although the water was not completely clear, it was certainly an experience to recommend!”

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Whale Watching Mirissa with ( WWC ) - Coffee, breakfast, and the long search offshore
Galle Tours, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching

Whale Watching Mirissa with ( WWC )

6.Whale Watching Mirissa with ( WWC )

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 252 reviews · from $55

Meet Manoj and the Whale Watching Club at Mirissa Harbour at 6:00 am for a five-hour trip aboard Queen Whale, a roomy catamaran limited to 45 people. Expect coffee, breakfast, dolphins, possible whales, snacks, and a 30-minute sea swim.

“Wonderful crew. They have eagle eyes. Freindly and very helpful for our entire group. I would recomned an outing with this business.”

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Cook with Wasantha - A second stop for fresh fish
Galle Tours, Tour Reviews

Cook with Wasantha

7.Cook with Wasantha

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 248 reviews · from $30

Meet Wasantha in Unawatuna for a four-hour Sri Lankan cooking experience. With Wasantha, Sam, or Sasa, you’ll visit vegetable and fish markets, choose ingredients, make coconut milk, cook rice and five curries, then eat your meal by hand.

“Amazing day experiencing how to cook authentic Sri Lankan cuisine with Wasantha and her family. A definite highlight of my trip”

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Galle/Mirissa/Hiriketiya: Drop to Ella & Udawalawa Safari - The before-dawn pickup and road to Udawalawe
Galle Tours, Safari, Tour Reviews, Udawalawe National Park Safaris, Udawalawe National Park Safaris in Galle

Galle/Mirissa/Hiriketiya: Drop to Ella & Udawalawa Safari

Ride a Wave Surf School Weligama Sri Lanka - The coaching style: Shan and the wider team
Galle Tours, Tour Reviews

Ride a Wave Surf School Weligama Sri Lanka

9.Ride a Wave Surf School Weligama Sri Lanka

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 161 reviews · from $20

Ride a Wave Surf School gives you a 90-minute beginner-friendly surf lesson in Weligama, with board preparation, paddling, wave choice, and hands-on coaching. Instructor Shan is praised for correcting individual mistakes and helping students progress from soft boards to turns on hard boards.

“I highly recommend this surf school. Very good and helpful guys. Fun lessons and a great atmosphere. Great for learning. I will definitely come back. 🤙🏻🤙🏻”

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Galle Unawatuna Cooking Class - Inside a traditional Sri Lankan home kitchen
Cooking Classes, Galle Tours, Tour Reviews, Workshops

Galle Unawatuna Cooking Class

10.Galle Unawatuna Cooking Class

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 142 reviews · from $30

Spend about 3.5 hours learning Sri Lankan home cooking in Galle or Unawatuna. Madhu, Madha, or Nisansala may host the class, which can include a market visit, six curries, seafood, sweets, and a meal in a private home kitchen.

“Authentic Sri Lankan cooking and dining experience 💛 from the preparation to cooking to eating. It was all very traditional and I learnt so much about Sri Lankan cooking and food. Big bonus the food was delicious and there was sooo much! We ended up making 13 dishes! A must do!”

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Whale Watching Mirissa with Eagle Eye - Why the trimaran matters offshore
Galle Tours, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching

Whale Watching Mirissa with Eagle Eye

11.Whale Watching Mirissa with Eagle Eye

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 128 reviews · from $70

Set out from Mirissa at about 7:00 a.m. aboard Eagle Eye’s large trimaran to search for blue whales, dolphins, and turtles. You’ll get hotel pickup in the Mirissa area, breakfast, snacks, drinks, Wi-Fi, life jackets, and first-aid equipment. Sightings depend entirely on nature and weather.

“All worked according to plan but we needed to proactively confirm the pick up time via Whatsapp. Luckily we did as it was 30 min before what was written in Viator app. I got really sea sick (despite a sea sick pill) and saw almost nothing - just hanging (vomiting) on loRead more”

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Mirissa Unforgettable Snorkeling Experience with Turtles - The short lesson before entering the water
Galle Tours, Snorkeling, Tour Reviews

Mirissa Unforgettable Snorkeling Experience with Turtles

12.Mirissa Unforgettable Snorkeling Experience with Turtles

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 120 reviews · from $24

Meet the Mirissa Adventure team for a two-hour private snorkeling trip near Mirissa. Your instructor provides gear, a short lesson, water guidance, snacks, and a freshwater rinse. Expect close turtle encounters, small fish, some coral, and possible pickup from Mirissa-area hotels.

“It was fun swimming with the turtles. However, there is nothing else to see as such apart from the turtles and some little fish. Quite crowded also.”

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Bentota River Safari By BTM (Mangrove & Wildlife Encounter) - Mangroves are the main event
Galle Tours, Safari, Tour Reviews, Wildlife

Bentota River Safari By BTM (Mangrove & Wildlife Encounter)

13.Bentota River Safari By BTM (Mangrove & Wildlife Encounter)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 108 reviews · from $32

Cruise the Bentota River with a private guide such as Sumal or Harindra, watching for crocodiles, monkeys, iguanas, eagles, and mangrove birds. The two-hour trip includes hotel pickup, bottled water, taxes, and a flexible start time before 4pm, making it an easy nature outing from Galle or Bentota.

“We had an amazing afternoon! We saw monkeys, crocodiles, an owl, eagles and several other things along the way! Harindra was extremely knowledgeable and somehow could spot all the camouflaged animals/reptiles! Beautiful scenery, definitely recommend!”

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Sports Boat- Private Whale Watching Trip( free breakfast & paid pick-up) - A sports boat built for comfort and speed
Cruises & Boat Tours, Galle Tours, Private, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching

Sports Boat- Private Whale Watching Trip( free breakfast & paid pick-up)

14.Sports Boat- Private Whale Watching Trip( free breakfast & paid pick-up)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 93 reviews

Set out from Mirissa at 7:00 am on a private 10-meter twin-engine sports boat for up to eight people. A naturalist provides live commentary as you search for blue whales, dolphins, turtles, and other sea life. Breakfast, drinks, snacks, WiFi, and an onboard restroom are included.

“Great whale, dolphin and turtle spotting experience. Wonderful staff and an excellent, clean boat. We had a whale of a time :)”

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Half-Day Lagoon and Village Cycling Tour in Galle - Meeting village workers, not just seeing scenery
Cycling Tours, Galle Tours, Half-Day, Tour Reviews, Tours

Half-Day Lagoon and Village Cycling Tour in Galle

15.Half-Day Lagoon and Village Cycling Tour in Galle

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 90 reviews · from $25

Ride 12 km from Chameera Cycling in Unawatuna through village lanes, lagoons, mangroves, and paddy fields. Your English-speaking guide points out wildlife and local work, including rope making and coconut processing, with a king coconut stop included.

“Had a great time. The guide showed us around many places and and explained things a good details. We got to see factories up close - how they work to make rope from coconut shells as well as a place weaving textiles. Seeing great viRead more”

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New in Galle Tours

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★ 5.0Udawalawe National Park Safari trip from Galle/Mirissa/EllaFrom $19033 reviews
★ 5.0Udawalawa National Park half day SafariFrom $8532 reviews
★ 5.0Galle Fort Heritage Walk by a Certified Heritage InterpreterFrom $4531 reviews
★ 5.0Cooking Class at a Local Home and Market TourFrom $4047 reviews
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★ 5.0Sinharaja Rainforest TourFrom $11054 reviews
★ 5.0Day trip to ELLA & LIPTON’s SEAT with Train Ride [ALL INCLUSIVE]From $13554 reviews
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Yala National Park Safaris66Sigiriya Rock Fortress Tours48Ceylon Tea Plantation Tours13Tuk-Tuks31Cooking Classes26Train Experiences11
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Explore Sri Lanka

Pick a park, a temple or a stretch of coast.

The parks

Yala SafarisUdawalawe SafarisMinneriya SafarisLeopard DrivesWilpattu Safaris

Rock and temple

Sigiriya RockCave TemplesAnuradhapuraHeritage DaysGalle Fort

Hill country

Tea FactoriesKandy to EllaTrain JourneysNuwara EliyaHikes

Coast and water

Whale BoatsSnorkellingWhite WaterHikkaduwaBentota