Pick-up from your Colombo hotel
Southern Expressway, then the coast road to Ambalangoda.
~1.5 hrs
Galle Fort and Southern Coast Heritage Tour
Mask carvers, stilt fishermen, a seaside Peace Pagoda and sunset on the ramparts of Galle Fort.
One day. Unforgettable.
Overview
A day down the south coast: traditional mask carvers in Ambalangoda, the 17th-century ramparts of Galle Fort (UNESCO), stilt fishermen at Koggala and sunset at Flag Rock.
Tour highlights
- Ambalangoda mask museum and carving workshop
- Guided walk through Galle Fort (UNESCO)
- Dutch Reformed Church, lighthouse and Court Square
- Seafood lunch inside the Fort
- Koggala stilt fishermen
- Japanese Peace Pagoda at Rumassala and Jungle Beach
- Sunset on the ramparts at Flag Rock
- Total tour time
- ~12.5 hrs (07:30–20:15)
- Driving
- ~5 hrs
- Sightseeing
- ~6.5 hrs
- Meals & breaks
- ~1 hr
Timed around the best light and the smallest crowds
How your day unfolds
-
07:30
-
09:00
ExperienceAmbalangoda mask museum & workshop
Traditional devil-dance masks and the carvers who still make them.
~45 min -
10:00
Drive to Galle
~45 min -
10:45
Experience
Galle Fort walking tour
Old Gate, Dutch Reformed Church, lighthouse, Court Square and the ramparts with a local guide.
~2 hrs -
12:45
Lunch
Seafood by the ocean inside the Fort.
~1 hr -
14:00
Drive to Koggala
~25 min -
14:30
ExperienceKoggala stilt fishermen
Photo stop with the famous stilt fishermen.
~30 min -
15:15
ExperiencePeace Pagoda & Jungle Beach
Japanese Peace Pagoda on Rumassala Hill, then a swim or rest at Jungle Beach.
~1.5 hrs -
16:45
ExperienceGalle Fort free time & sunset
Boutiques, cafés and gem shops, then sunset at Flag Rock.
~1.5 hrs -
18:15
Return to Colombo
Southern Expressway.
~2 hrs -
20:15
Arrive at your hotel
End of tour.
We'll collect you from your hotel
Pick-up points & travel time
| Starting from | One-way travel | Pick-up | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hikkaduwa | ~30 min | 09:00 | Short day (~9 hrs) |
| Bentota | ~1 hr | 08:30 | ~11 hrs |
| Colombo | ~2 hrs | 07:30 | As shown |
| Negombo | ~2.5–3 hrs | 06:30 | Long day (~14 hrs) |
Before you go
What to bring
- Sun hat, sunscreen and sunglasses
- Swimwear (optional)
- Small cash for tips and the stilt fishermen
Good to know
- Stilt fishing is now mostly performed for photographs, and a small tip is expected.
- Galle Fort is best explored on foot; wear comfortable shoes.
- Sea swimming is safest Nov–Apr; follow the lifeguard flags.
- Times are a guide and may shift with traffic, weather and the group's pace.
Optional add-ons
- Kosgoda turtle conservation hatchery on the way
- Madu River boat safari
- Handunugoda Tea Estate
- National Maritime Museum, Galle
Part of these round tours
Big adventures, one day at a time
More day tours
Full day
01
Anuradhapura Day Tour
Walk among giant stupas and join pilgrims at the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi in Sri Lanka's first great capital.
- Duration
- ~10.5 hrs
- Starts from
- Sigiriya / Dambulla / Habarana
- Level
- Moderate
Full day
02
Dambulla and Sigiriya Day Tour
Climb the Lion Rock at opening time, then step into Dambulla's painted cave temples, with a village lunch in between.
- Duration
- ~11.5 hrs
- Starts from
- Kandy
- Level
- Active
Half day
05
Negombo Lagoon, Canal and Fishing Village Tour
The dawn fish auction, lagoon mangroves and the old Dutch canal by boat, just 20 minutes from the airport.
- Duration
- ~6.5 hrs
- Starts from
- Negombo
- Level
- Easy