How to Plan a Visit to the Underwater Museum in Galle – A Mesmerising Journey

 Galle is a city steeped in colonial history and is home to the Old Dutch Fort a UNESCO Heritage Site. But as of recently, Galle can boast another top attraction—the very first underwater museum in Sri Lanka. Opened in 2022 the museum is a project by the Sri Lanka Navy and is indeed quite an amazing and unique experience for many. Located near the Galle Harbour here is everything you need to know on how to plan a visit to the underwater museum in Galle.

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Learn More About the Location of the Underwater Museum

 The museum is located in Galle, a city in the southern province of Sri Lanka. Galle is a part of the popular south coast strip and was once a colonial stronghold because of its natural harbour. The Portuguese were the first to discover Galle and decided to build a stronghold that protected them from any sea invasions. As the history of the island dictates the Portuguese were ousted by the Dutch who went on to make the Old Fort a true marvel with the addition of churches, huge warehouses and even a clock tower. Finally owned by the British colonists the Galle Fort is now a cherished icon and UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is one attraction you must visit before you explore the Galle Underwater Museum. The fort overlooks the Indian Ocean and is easy to reach from nearby resorts. Consider a Koggala beach resort for the best experience of Galle, the ocean and its inner waterways. Popular options such as Fortress Resort and Spa make sightseeing easy and will even help you to book a tour of the underwater museum via a reliable tour operator.

What Time is the Museum Open?

 The museum is open on all days of the year. However, you may want to avoid dives during the monsoon season when the sea can get quite rough. Avoid planning a visit to the museum between May and September. Ideally, you should be diving to explore the museum between November and April.

Who Can Visit the Underwater Museum?

The Sri Lanka Navy was only involved in establishing the museum which is now open to the public. However, the area is deemed a high-security zone and you must obtain valid passes before you dive. Therefore, it is required you book your tour via a credible and registered dive school or boating company which makes the entire procedure hassle-free and easy.

The museum is located at a depth of 15 metres, and only PADI license holders can attempt the dive. Or you can train at one of the dive schools in Galle while enjoying your stay at a Galle resort and then attempt the dive to view the museum.

 You must obtain a PADI Open Water Diver license, a Discover Scuba Diving course (DSD) is not valid as it qualifies for dives of up to 12 metres only. You can of course enrol in a PADI open water dive course and earn your license if you are passionate about visiting the phenomenal underwater museum. There are many credible dive schools in the Galle district and your resort in Koggala will be able to put you in touch with one easily.

 It takes around 3–4 days for a person to earn their PADI open water license. Therefore, most tourists choose the option as Galle is well known for its diving allures, apart from the museum. There are several old wrecks located off the coast of Galle as well as coral reefs along the beautiful southern stretch you will love exploring.