Top Things to do in Galle District
What to do and see in Galle District, Southern Province: The Best Nature & Parks
Discover the best top things to do in Galle District, Sri Lanka including Turtle Beach, Sinharaja Forest Reserve, Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation Project, Rumasalla Mountain, Mihiripenna Beach, Bentota Beach, Lankagama Duwili Ella Falls, Victor Hasselblad Sea Turtle Research & Conservation Center, Ahungalla Beach, Narigama Beach.
Restaurants in Galle District
1. Turtle Beach
2. Sinharaja Forest Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 593 reviews
SINHARAJA RAIN FOREST is a world heritage and bio diversity hotspot which is also a major eco tourism destination in Sri Lanka. It is one of the few virgin forests left in the world. This evergreen rain forest, a UNESCO World heritage site, is one of the few virgin rain forests left to date. Damp mysterious and teeming with life, the Sinharaja forest reserve situated 120 KM South East of Colombo, is the last expensive stretch of virgin rainforest on the island. At just over 11000 hectares, line across the wet zone the Southern edge of the hill country, Sinharaja is an ecological treasure trove. It is staggering array of flora and fauna place it among the top bio diversity hotspot in the world. Sinharaja Forest Reserve - A UNESCO world heritage site - encompasses the largest single swath of remaining low land tropical rain forest in the country. Over 130 birds, species are found here including many of the 33 species endemic to the Sri Lanka. There also rich reptile population and myriads of insects species, many yet to be classified. Mammals scenes here including the purple faced langur monkey and the giant squirrel. Sinharaja is also home to the elusive leopard. It is preferable to explore Sinharaja on foot, which makes for the truly authentic jungle experience. Best starting point for visits are Deniyaya Mederipitiya to the East or Kudawa to the North.
Reviewed By malwana - Colombo, Sri Lanka
This is a very big rain forest and in a single tour we can see only a very small area. We stayed in Rainforest Eco Lodge and took the tour from there. There were many leaches but hotel provided us leach socks. Even the small kids around 4 -8 years old joined with us and they too enjoyed the tour.
3. Kosgoda Sea Turtle Conservation Project
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 625 reviews
Reviewed By mands_carter - Petersfield, United Kingdom
This place is well worth a visit to see real conservation in action. From hatching to release, these guys are very careful to preserve as many Turtles as they can. As well as the whole process of hatching and releasing Turtles, there are a lot of other things to understand about the work here. Please make a visit, buy your ticket (and if possible make a donation) to make sure that this vital work continues.
4. Rumasalla Mountain
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 97 reviews
Reviewed By B6073ASvijayk
A visit to Galle Dutch Fort is incomplete without a visit to Rumassala Kanda. The Dutch fort lends you a picturesque landscape to the eyes. A great place to watch the sea at play with the contours of the beach running along as far as the eye can see and then you see the Rumasalla Kanda. It is very fascinating indeed. In the sea to land rise evolution, one invariably find the sea with the beach and the land rising slowly up with the vegetation coming along. There is always a definite angle and slope to it. But here at Galle you find the Rumassala Kanda piece of land jutting out like a dolphin nose and one can see that it is out of place in this geography along the coast with its unique rocky topology. This lends great credence to the folklore that it is the piece that fell of the mountain which Lord Hanuman was carrying with him while flying over Lanka, bearing the Sanjeevani herb meant to cure Lord Lakshman. Awesome sight from the Dutch Fort. Must visit and also see the Japanese Peace Pagoda, lovely piece of architecture.
5. Mihiripenna Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 145 reviews
Reviewed By dr_nilusha - Colombo, Sri Lanka
One of the safe and sound beaches in Galle. It is a great place to stay at sunset. Sea bath also making us fresh. The only problem is the parking problem.
6. Bentota Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,256 reviews
Reviewed By SheranFernando - Rome, Italy
Bentota Beach Hotel, an icon in Sri Lankan architecture and a property with a rich history reconstructed by Bawa’s student, Channa Daswatte is a true tribute to Sri Lanka’s most famed architect Geoffrey Bawa. Standing on the balcony of the Geoffrey Bawa Suite, you see the sea on the right and the Bentota river on the left, and Sripada and the central hills on the far right, all in one view. This view, according to architect Channa Daswatte makes this property the one that links the land and the sea. The ‘new’ Bentota Beach is not merely a recreation or a restoration. The main building of the old hotel has been reconstructed newly, as it was built by Bawa. This showcases Bawa’s wide architectural influences ranging from Bali to ancient Sri Lankan monuments. Inside the hotel has the signature of Geoffrey Bawa and the period it was constructed in, but in a modern and functional representation. The lead architect Channa Daswatte has done an amazing job, not only to archive an iconic construction but also through his brilliance, make it a fresh, modern and functional. It is a museum and treasure trove of art and architecture, that concurrently delivers a guests expectections from a modern luxury hotel.
7. Lankagama Duwili Ella Falls
8. Victor Hasselblad Sea Turtle Research & Conservation Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 124 reviews
Reviewed By Richard-Claire-P - Cassis, France
Interesting visit to improve knowledge about turtles.! Efficient guide (speaking French), and we were confident concerning the utility of this...( without commercial pressure!!)
9. Ahungalla Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 349 reviews
Reviewed By steventC9046DG
My wife and I, along with friends, stayed at the RIU Sri Lanka for 2 weeks at the start of February 2019. The hotel was adjacent to the fabulous Ahungalla Beach. A beautiful stretch of golden sand that is an idyllic backdrop to sunsets on the Indian Ocean. The beach is deserted, on the most part, with only the occasional friendly local vendor for company along with some very happy dogs. It was one of these local vendors that would help us have one of the best holidays that we've ever had! After pricing up a couple of excursions with our tour operator, we had a chat with Baba Tours on the beach. Baba Tours managed to put together a 3 day itinerary with 2 over night stays that was, without a doubt, the most enjoyable holiday tour that we have ever had. The highlights include; Dambulla, Lion Rock in Sigiriya, The Temple of the Tooth in Kandy, Kandy Botanical Gardens and the Kandy to Nuwara Eliya train! Even though it was a busy schedule, Baba Tours gave us the flexibility to see what we wanted to see. Their overnight stop choices were superb and they also introduced us to some AWESOME Sri Lanken food. We felt happy that we toured with a local firm as we believe that its better to leave your money in the country that you're visiting as opposed to in the bank account of a large multi-national tour operator.
10. Narigama Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 150 reviews
Reviewed By annalisacorrigan - Sri Lanka, null
If you are in Hikkaduwa, this is the part if the beach that you really want to head for.... Beautiful, peaceful, clean and the softest sand! We absolutely love this beach!!! A couple of chilled cafe / bar / restaurants are here. Our favourites being Palm Tree Guesthouse and Thambili Cafe. If you want more choice a short walk along towards Hikkaduwa Beach offers everything you could ever want. Hikkaduwa beach is nice. But if you want to be somewhere a bit more chilled out (it's only a short walk away), then this is THE beach in South / West Sri Lanka. Definitely our favourite!
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