Travellers from around the world head to the city of Galle for one main reason – to enjoy slow walks through ancient ramparts of the one of the oldest living forts in the world, to learn about its rich history and immerse themselves in all the beauty and mystery that the Galle Fort has to offer.
However, a whole new world waits to be explored around Galle. Life beneath the glistening surface of the warm waters of the Indian Ocean invites curious travellers who with a thirst for adventure and new experiences. If you’re spending a day in Galle Fort, we insist that you try one of these incredible underwater experiences to truly get the best out of your holiday in Galle.
Here’s quite the alternative to your usual water sports in and around Galle. Unawatuna is located less than 15 minutes away from the Galle Fort. We’re happy to give you directions here – just check in with our staff. Once you get here, look for a PADI-certified dive centre that offers this experience.
What is discover diving? Discover diving gives you the opportunity to experience the beauty of the world beneath the surface without a PADI license. After a short lesson on basic skills and how to comfortably breathe underwater with the necessary equipment, you’ll be given a guided tour of one of the nearest shipwreck sites! Don’t worry though, if your swimming skills aren’t the strongest, one of the professional PADI-certified instructors will hold your hand and take you through the entire underwater tour.
You’ve visited the Galle Maritime Museum and the Galle National Museum, but how about swimming up to the Galle Underwater Museum?!
The Galle Underwater Museum is Sri Lanka’s first underwater museum, built in honour of all Sri Lanka Navy divers who lost their lives in the line of duty. The museum is located at a depth of 15m, so only PADI- certified divers can visit the museum. Entrance is free, but you’d have to pay for your centre fees for the gear, and boat rides to and from the dive site.
Due to the effects of global warming and man-made causes, most of the reefs around Galle have suffered greatly. Dive centres on the southern coast of Sri Lanka have taken it upon themselves to restore, regrow and rehabilitate coral reefs. Regrowing these corals encourage the positive breeding of marine life for future generations.
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While many volunteers gear up to clean the shores of our island, some dive centres have taken it a step further with their quest to clean the seabed. Ghost fishing nets and trash end up destroying a lot of marine life, and cleaning these up, as you would on the shore, is the one of the things we can do collectively to save our delicate marine ecosystem. Partner up with one of these dive centres and do your part in practicing sustainable tourism, while also enjoying the treasures that the underwater world has to offer you.
A day or a few hours of diving or actively contributing towards the conservation of our marine life can exhaust you. Head down to AQUA Forte for a delicious Italian meal at the end of your adventures – and do share your stories with our team too, we’d love to hear more about what exciting new things you experienced in Sri Lanka!
Treat yourself to an exquisite Italian meal at our restaurant, paired with a range of fine wines from Italy.
Which other famous water sports can you partake in Galle?
You can partake in a number of water sports in and around Galle, from surfing, snorkelling, jet skiing, kayaking, boat rides and more.
When is the best time to visit Galle?
The best time to visit Galle is between the months of December to April. This time is also the greatest to go diving in Galle, Sri Lanka, as the sea is calm and beautiful. On land, you’ll find a pleasant climate and gentle breezes to keep you refreshed in the afternoons and evenings.
What are the best places to visit in Galle?
If you’re looking for a range of places to visit inside the Galle Fort, some of our favourites include the Galle Lighthouse, Galle Clocktower, Maritime Museum & National Museum to name a few.
