1-Day Madu River Boat Safari in Balapitiya with Moonstone Mine

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 Scenic boat ride through the Madu River's mangrove forests
• 02 Visit Cinnamon Island and learn the traditional cinnamon-making process
• 03 Explore a traditional moonstone mine and gemstone workshop
• 04 See rescued and endangered sea turtles at a conservation farm
• 05 Spot local wildlife such as birds, water monitors, and monkeys

Experience one of Sri Lanka's most popular nature and culture tours on this journey to Balapitiya. Enjoy a relaxing Madu River boat safari through lush mangrove tunnels and small islands, with opportunities to spot local wildlife and visit Cinnamon Island to see the traditional cinnamon-peeling process. Continue to a traditional moonstone mine to learn how natural gemstones are mined and polished by hand, then finish at a turtle conservation farm that cares for rescued and endangered sea turtles.

Enjoy a relaxing Madu River boat safari through lush mangrove tunnels and small islands, with opportunities to spot local wildlife and visit Cinnamon Island to see the traditional cinnamon-peeling process.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 1 Day

Tour type Private

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Cities Galle, Balapitiya

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Madu River Safari, Moonstone Mine and Turtle Farm

Pick up from your hotel and meet your driver for the journey to Balapitiya.

The tour begins at 9:00 in the morning with a 2-hour boat safari on the river.

Spend about 2 hours on the river enjoying the boat safari experience.

After that, continue to the moonstone mine.

Enjoy a 1-hour tour of the mine and factory.

Then visit the sea turtles for about 30 minutes.

Around 5:00 in the evening, return to your hotel.

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Transport

Water bottles

Boat safari

Tickets

Moonstone mine

Sea turtle entrance tickets

What's Not Included

Meals

What to bring

• Sunscreen

Know before you go

• The boat safari on the river is safe.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

Galle, Sri Lanka

Tour start

Galle, Sri Lanka

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.