Sri Lanka · TOURS IN GALLE

Galle Tours: The 15 Best Fort, Whale and Safari Days

41 tours  Â·  from $12 a head

The fort is free to walk and takes an afternoon, so the money goes on getting out of it. The 15 below cover the ramparts and their history, the whale boats off Mirissa, the turtle beaches and the Yala runs east, with pickup points and sailing times.

Whales and Dolphins Watching-Luxury Super Grade Cruiser(Hotel Pick up offered) - What the four-hour sea search is really like
Tour Reviews, Tours in Galle, VIP, Whale & Dolphin Watching, Whale Watching Tours in Galle

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, with captains, safety crew, a restroom, breakfast, tea, and coffee. You may see blue whales, fin whales, sperm whales, dolphins, turtles, or flying fish, but sightings are never guaranteed. Hotel pickup is offered, including from Galle, though extra charges may apply.

“We sighted 2-3 blue whales after some searching in the sea. My boys were super excited. The tour was planned and managed very professionally from pickup to drop. They also served descent breakfast with sandwich and various fruits. Highly recommended!”

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Galle: Traditional Gems & Jewellery Workshop with Transfers - Start with stones, designs, and a realistic budget
Craft Workshops, Gem & Spice Gardens, Tour Reviews, Tours in Galle

Galle: Traditional Gems & Jewellery Workshop with Transfers

2.Traditional Gems & Jewellery Workshop with Transfers

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

Travel by tuk-tuk from Galle, Unawatuna, Boossa, or Galle Fort to Chandralal Jewelry Works in Kotapola. Hasara and the family guide you through gem selection, silver shaping, soldering, hammering, stone setting, and polishing. Lunch or dinner, tea, snacks, and rough moonstones and garnets are included. Your finished jewellery costs extra.

“We had a truly wonderful experience creating our ring! Everything was perfectly organized, and we learned so much about the process. The final result – a beautifully crafted ring – exceeded our expectations. The delicious food and the warm hospitality of the family made the day even more special. An unforgettable experience that we wholeheartedly recommend!”

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Sea waves sri lankan cooking class - From Unawatuna to the market
Cooking Classes, Cooking Classes in Galle, Tour Reviews, Tours in Galle

Sea waves sri lankan cooking class

3.Sea waves sri lankan cooking class

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

Meet at Sea Waves Restaurant in Unawatuna for a roughly three-hour lesson led by a chef with more than 30 years of experience. You may visit fish and vegetable markets first, choose fish or chicken plus five vegetables, then cook in an open kitchen with jungle views. The class ends with a shared meal.

“We had a wonderful time at this class with Susanthi. We started at the fish market on the beach near the Fort and then travelled by tuk tuk to the vegetable market before heading to the restaurant. The class was entertaining and interesting and the food delicious. We cooRead more”

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Galle Fort Walking tour - Starting beneath the Galle Fort Clock Tower
Galle Fort Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Galle, Walking Tours

Galle Fort Walking tour

4.Galle Fort Walking tour

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

Walk Galle Fort with professional English-speaking guide Madawa Galagedara. In 90 minutes, you will see the clock tower, Moon, Star, and Sun Bastions, ramparts, Dutch Reformed Church, Old Dutch Hospital, lighthouse, Flag Rock, drainage works, and Pedlar’s Street while learning about Sri Lankan history, politics, culture, and daily life.

“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 - Coral, fish, and the parts between turtle sightings
Snorkeling, Tour Reviews, Tours in Galle, Turtle Hatcheries & Beaches

Snorkeling with Turtles in Mirissa

5.Snorkeling with Turtles in Mirissa

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

Meet your guide at Araliya Restaurant in Mirissa, walk to the beach, and snorkel for about an hour near Parrot Rock. This is a private, shore-based outing for two people, not a boat trip. Your guide provides equipment, helps less confident swimmers, searches for turtles and reef life, and sends underwater photos and videos afterward.

“We had a great time snorkelling with sea turtles. Our guide was flexible as the weather wasn't great and so advised us to wait for 30 minutes for the water to clear. When we did snorkel, the guide was very helpful and patient and helped us swim with up to five sea turtles. The experience was great and we'd highly recommend.”

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Whale Watching Mirissa with ( WWC ) - The Queen Whale gives you room to look
Tour Reviews, Tours in Galle, Whale & Dolphin Watching, Whale Watching Tours in Galle

Whale Watching Mirissa with ( WWC )

6.Whale Watching Mirissa with ( WWC )

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

Join captain Manoj and the Whale Watching Club for a five-hour morning cruise from Mirissa. The 60-foot Queen Whale carries up to 45 people on this tour, leaving at 6:00 am to search for dolphins and whales. Tea, coffee, breakfast, snacks, and a 30-minute sea swim are included, though whale sightings are never guaranteed.

“The boat was really well set up and managed. The communication leading up to the tour was excellent. Unfortunately we didn’t see any whales but we did see lots of dolphins!”

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Cook with Wasantha - Five curries, rice, and the essentials of coconut milk
Cooking Classes, Cooking Classes in Galle, Tour Reviews, Tours in Galle

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 visit vegetable and fish markets, choose ingredients, make coconut milk, cook five curries and rice, then eat together buffet style. The class is limited to 10 people.

“Such an amazing day, I can't recommend this highly enough! We met at the restaurant then were taken to the market to select the vegetables for our dishes then onto the fish market to pick up some tuna. We returned to Wasantha where she made the magic happen! We learned so many great techniques and tips throughout the day. Every dish we made was so delicious! I couldn't eat dinner that night after such a big lunch. Definitely select this course, not one of the copy cat courses around! You won't be disappointed!”

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Galle/Mirissa/Hiriketiya: Drop to Ella & Udawalawa Safari - The pre-dawn pickup from the south coast
National Park Safaris, Safari Tours in Galle, Tour Reviews, Tours in Galle, Udawalawe National Park Safaris

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

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

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 186 reviews · 7 - 8 hours · from $48

Leave your hotel in Galle, Mirissa, Hiriketiya, Tangalle, or nearby coastal towns for Udawalawe National Park. After the air-conditioned transfer, switch to a 4x4 jeep for a 2.5 to 3 hour safari with guides such as Pathum, Mahesh, Prasad, or Koshala. Continue to your hotel in Ella, with possible stops along the way.

“We had so much fun, it was so cool, Pahum was really good driver and guide! Thanks for having us!”

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Ride a Wave Surf School Weligama Sri Lanka - Paddling, positioning, and choosing the right wave
Surfing, Tour Reviews, Tours in Galle

Ride a Wave Surf School Weligama Sri Lanka

9.Ride a Wave Surf School Weligama Sri Lanka

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

Meet Ride a Wave in Weligama for a roughly 90-minute surf lesson built around safety, wave awareness, and personal coaching. Instructors such as Shan work with you on paddling, wave choice, and standing up, with hard-board practice possible after you gain confidence. The activity returns to the meeting point.

“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 - Seafood, rice, vegetables, meat, and sweets
Cooking Classes, Cooking Classes in Galle, Tour Reviews, Tours in Galle

Galle Unawatuna Cooking Class

10.Galle Unawatuna Cooking Class

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

Join Madhu, also referred to as Madha, for a 3.5-hour Sri Lankan cooking class near Galle and Unawatuna. You will prepare traditional rice, vegetable, fish, meat, sweets, and up to six curries, including a seafood dish, then sit down to eat what you made. Pickup is offered, and groups are limited to 10.

“Authentic Sri Lankan cooking and dining experience đź’› 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 - Breakfast before the whale search
Tour Reviews, Tours in Galle, Whale & Dolphin Watching, Whale Watching Tours in Galle

Whale Watching Mirissa with Eagle Eye

11.Whale Watching Mirissa with Eagle Eye

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

Join Eagle Eye from Mirissa at 7:00 a.m. for a roughly four-hour search for blue whales aboard a stable trimaran. Your package includes hotel pickup around Mirissa, breakfast, snacks, drinks, life jackets, first aid, Wi-Fi, and sea-sickness pills. Sightings are never guaranteed, but dolphins and turtles may also appear.

“Watching whales is not guaranteed to have recognized a whale from a distance three times by the water fountain. Lots of dolphins in groups and a few turtles were there to see.Auto-translated”

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Mirissa Unforgettable Snorkeling Experience with Turtles - What happens before you enter the water
Snorkeling, Tour Reviews, Tours in Galle, Turtle Hatcheries & Beaches

Mirissa Unforgettable Snorkeling Experience with Turtles

12.Mirissa Unforgettable Snorkeling Experience with Turtles

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

Join Mirissa Adventure for a two-hour private snorkeling trip near Mirissa. You’ll receive equipment, instruction, hotel pickup in the Mirissa area, snacks, water, and a freshwater rinse. Swim near sea turtles, spot small fish and coral, and ask for instructor Nuwan if available.

“Great experience! The staffs were friendly and we had a wonderful time. I highly recommend doing it.”

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Bentota River Safari By BTM (Mangrove & Wildlife Encounter) - Mangroves up close, not just from a lookout
Boat & River Safaris, Boat Safaris in Galle, National Park Safaris, Safari Tours in Galle, Tour Reviews, Tours in Galle

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 and lagoon in a private boat for about two hours. Guides such as Sumal, Hari, and Harindra point out eagles, bee-eaters, cormorants, monkeys, lizards, and crocodiles. Pickup is offered from many nearby river locations, and departures are available until 4pm.

“Excellent service, on time, friendly, knowledgable, a once in a lifetime experience. We booked just a few hours before and they showed on time. They were really helpful i poiting out things to see and even took us to a herb garden free of charge”

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Surfing, Tour Reviews, Tours in Galle

Surf lesson in weligama by surf and stay Srilanka .

14.Surf lesson in weligama by surf and stay Srilanka .

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 95 reviews · from $20

Meet Surf & Stay Sri Lanka at its beachfront camp in Weligama for a private 1 to 2-hour lesson. You’ll practice ocean safety and the pop-up on land, then head into gentle bay waves with an instructor beside you. Danny is one named coach praised for clear, helpful instruction. Boards, rash guards, water, and light refreshments are included.

“Everything about it from start to finish was excellent! Booked again before I left.. If your hesitant, just do it. You will not regret it.”

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Sports Boat- Private Whale Watching Trip( free breakfast & paid pick-up) - Leaving Mirissa at 7:00 am
Private, Tour Reviews, Tours in Galle, Whale & Dolphin Watching, Whale Watching Tours in Galle

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

15.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 sports boat for a three to four-hour search for blue whales, dolphins, turtles, and other marine life. Chaminda’s crew reaches the whale habitat in under an hour, serves breakfast and drinks, and follows international whale-watching rules. Pickup beyond Mirissa costs extra.

“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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New in Tours in Galle

★ 4.2All Inclusive Galle Dutch Fort & Madu River SafariFrom $806 reviews
★ 5.0GO WILD! Double Safari Day Trip (Yala & Udawalawe) – Private & All InclusiveFrom $28023 reviews
★ 5.0Sinharaja Rainforest Private Half Day Tour with Licensed GuideFrom $11039 reviews
★ 4.6Sinharaja Rainforest Private & Customize TourFrom $11038 reviews
★ 4.8Mirissa/Weligama/Galle/Tangalle: Drop to Ella & Yala SafariFrom $4327 reviews
★ 5.0Scuba Diving at UnawatunaFrom $7021 reviews
★ 5.0Scuba Diving in MirissaFrom $7512 reviews
★ 5.0Galle Fort and City Cycling Tour – Choice of E-Bike or ManualFrom $5028 reviews
★ 5.0Discover SCUBA Diving in Beautiful Unawatuna BayFrom $6530 reviews
★ 5.0Bentota River Safari9 reviews
★ 4.9Traditional Jewellery making workshopFrom $7134 reviews
★ 4.5Yala Safari Private Day Trip with Return Transport -All InclusiveFrom $14054 reviews
★ 5.0Udawalawe Safari – Private & Customize TourFrom $11056 reviews
★ 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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