JK Travels Lanka · Kosgoda, Madu River and Galle
A private car takes you to a turtle hatchery at Kosgoda, through the Madu River mangroves by boat, then into Galle Fort and on to Dalawella beach for the stilt fishermen. Pick it for two unhurried hours inside the fort, more than any other Galle trip here.
JK Travels Lanka, the same team as the top-rated Kandy trip, collects you from your hotel in Negombo, Colombo, Mount Lavinia, Bentota or Kalutara. From Colombo it's 2 to 3 hours to Galle each way; from Negombo add about an hour.
Five stops, with real time at each: 30 minutes at the Kosgoda turtle hatchery, two hours on the Madu River boat safari, two hours in Galle Fort, an hour at Dalawella beach and 15 minutes with the stilt fishermen. The car, driver and water are included. Lunch, the boat, the hatchery ticket and tips are not, and you pay them on the day.
With only two written reviews in our data, the 5.0 rating comes mostly from the driver, Wasa, whom guests praise. The from-price of $65 per person is the rate for a full car; couples and solo travellers pay more each. Ask the driver to agree the boat price with the boatman before you set off, since it's the largest extra.
Negombo, Colombo, Mount Lavinia, Bentota or Kalutara.
Eggs, hatchlings and older turtles in tanks. Ticket paid at the gate.
Mangroves and small islands on the river. Boat price paid on the day.
Ramparts, the lighthouse, the Dutch church and lunch inside the walls (on you).
Time on the sand, then the fishermen on their poles before the drive back.
★★★★★Amazing. My private driver/tour guide Wasa was incredible. Beautiful beaches, I got to swim with sea turtles [...] A lovely boat ride. I would definitely recommend this tour. Travelled solo and felt completely safe.
★★★★★Wasa always made sure we were comfortable and went above and beyond to show us as much as possible during our journey. He is very knowledgeable, reliable, and an overall wonderful human being. We felt safe and well taken care of the entire time.
Read next:
From Colombo, 2 to 3 hours each way on the Southern Expressway. From Negombo, add about an hour. The full day runs 9 to 10 hours.
It's not in the tour price and boatmen set their own rates. One guest on a similar south coast tour was asked $100 for a 40-minute ride and paid $60. Ask your driver to agree a price before you board.
No. You eat where you like, inside Galle Fort or at a beach restaurant near Dalawella, and pay there. Ask your driver for a local rice and curry place.
Yes. Children 4 to 11 pay the child rate, and the listing says infant seats are available.
Ready to book
A mangrove boat ride on the Madu River, a turtle hatchery and Galle Fort in one private day out of Colombo.
Galle Day Tour from Colombo, All IncludedThe fullest Galle day: stilt fishermen, a swim at Jungle Beach, the fort and Kosgoda turtles, lunch in the package.★ 4.8 · 12 hours · from $120
Southern Sri Lanka Private Day TripA private car down the coast with a long menu of stops, tolls included. Boat and turtle tickets extra.★ 4.5 · 8 to 10 hours · from $85
Sigiriya, Dambulla & Elephant SafariLion Rock, a jeep safari for wild elephants and Dambulla in one private day. Tickets and jeep paid on the day.★ 4.7 · 10 to 12 hours · from $68