Flying Fish ArticlesGalle – 06°01.00'N, 80°13.00'E
Submitted by Pat and Olivia Murphy March 2008
Sri Lanka; Anchored outside breakwater at 6-01.78/80-13.6 in 10m (log 1,105nm) after contacting GAC Shipping on VHF 71 to arrange clearance, you cannot go directly into harbour. Within the hour we were boarded by two Navy Personnel who gave us permission to enter the harbour. They stayed aboard until we berthed, stern-to, at a rickety floating pontoon to starboard just inside the harbour. There is another black floating pontoon further inside and a harbour wall. After 2 days when a vacancy arose we moved to the wall. All the berthing facilities are “crap”, a surge enters the harbour at times and the situation becomes very uncomfortable. We destroyed a number of warps and fenders alongside the wall. GAC charged $200 for the clearance including their charge. The morning after arriving we were boarded by a customs man who asked to see our wine store; we produced a bottle and a box. He handed the box back and said “you keep”, he took the bottle. Diesel from GAC cost 65 Rupie/Lt, about €0.48. GAC gave good service but the $200 is very expensive. (Note: In 2007 most cruisers who visited Galle preferred to use GAC as their agents rather than the Windsors, who are OCC Port Officers. Ed)
Using Marlin, together with Mark & Lorraine of the yacht ALB, we had a 5day/4night tour in a nice minibus with a good driver called “ROHANA”. The van with driver cost $50/day and bed/breakfast/evening dinner cost $50 per couple per night. Entrance fees cost approx. $35 each inc. $20 to climb Sigaria. We enjoyed the tour and considered it good value. Marlin Yacht Services were ok for provisions and they have a very good selection of country courtesy flags at reasonable prices, email We are glad we went to Sri Lanka but would not go back as we felt we were being “ripped off” in most places.
PLEASE NOTE THIS REPORT WAS LAST UPDATED IN 1998
SUBMITTED BY Andy Copeland - Bagheera David & Kerry Beard - Skaffie’s Romance , March, 1990 & April, 1998
A good sheltered harbour with mooring buoys, dinghy dock and cheap local labour. A very expensive harbour to enter, so stay awhile and enjoy what must be one of the beautiful lands in the world, get inland, go to the Highlands, the game reserves, the palaces and the temples.
You must anchor outside the harbour until boarded by the Navy. Usual to anchor with stern line to buoy to face harbour entrance to minimise swell which creeps in at times. When moored to buoy, take your dinghy to the dinghy dock and walk to the port gates to appoint an agent.
Don Windsor is just outside the port gates on the left and charges US$170, this includes 30 day visa and harbour fees, use of the shower on their premises, a lad to assist with shopping in the market, a watchman on the jetty and extremely simple check in/out. Mike’s Yacht Services 400 metres up the road charges US$155 to check in and out. Just ask outside the port gates for directions. (see also note in Cruising Area Information - Dick Moore)
No haul out facilities, but repairs of most kinds can be done. An excellent place for topsides painting etc. as local labour is good and cheap. Spares can be easily shipped in without hassle. Engine repairs can be made and injectors & injector pumps can be serviced. Be sure to get a quote first. We had a good awning made - just 50 metres on the right outside the port gates.
OTHER FACILITIES - a) drinking water Yes, jerry jugs from dinghy dock. b) fuel Jerry jugs from fisherman’s’ dock. c) gas (propane)/gaz/ Yes, through Don Windsor or direct from depot inside dock gates. d) chandlers Hardware only e) bank Credit cards accepted & foreign currency. Money changer BJ’s store opposite fish market in town. f) shops/market Excellent market, reasonable meat, fish, groceries. Mike’s Yacht Supplies near harbour for western foods and will order for you at good prices. g) restaurants/hotels Yes, good eating, inexpensive. Wonderful food at the Closenberg Hotel. h) post office/telephones Excellent Fax & phone at RIGHT CONNECTION on the left near Mike’s Yacht Services. i) best mailing address c/o Santosh and Muditha Windsor, 6 Closenberg Road, MaGalle, Galle. Tel 09 22927 (office) 09 34592 (home). j) showers In port and at Windsors k) laundry Windsors and Martin - he’ll find you. l) transport/air services) Buses and tuk-tuks or taxis - cheap. Car Hire easy (get with driver). Trains good. International flights from Colombo. Air tickets etc from Windsors. m) hospital Crowded, overworked and basic.. n) anything else Entry costs and Agent’s fees are high, The Beards used Mike’s Yacht Services for their trip to the Highlands and can recommend him.