Fees · Destination Guide
Two dive coasts, historic Galle wrecks and a living fort on one southwest Sri Lanka trip
Key fee: Sri Lanka tourist ETA
Free 30-day tourist ETA for eligible listed nationalities; other fees vary
Confirm these fees before you book so your operator plan and day budget match what you will pay onsite.
There is no demonstrated universal Galle-Hikkaduwa dive permit or single coastal activity price. The tourist ETA is nationality-dependent. Hikkaduwa sanctuary entry is described as free by the regional tourism bureau, but DWC did not supply a current zone-specific fee or permit schedule in reviewed material; paid glass-bottom boats and snorkeling guides are separate. Published dive and museum prices are examples, not live quotes or proof of permission. Confirm all components and refund terms before committing.
| Fee | Amount | Applies to | Where to pay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sri Lanka tourist ETA | Free 30-day tourist ETA for eligible listed nationalities; other fees vary Typically up to 30 days for qualifying tourist ETA; check entry and extension rules | International visitors subject to ETA | Official Sri Lanka ETA portal: https://eta.gov.lk/slvisa/ | Free eligibility expanded effective 25 May 2026 to 40 named countries. Even eligible visitors generally need advance authorization. Extensions or other nationalities may incur fees; see Sri Lanka Immigration | official ETA notice and eligibility. |
| Hikkaduwa Coral Sanctuary entry | Regional tourist bureau lists entry as free; current DWC tariff unverified Per visitor day and local access rules; confirm in person | Sanctuary visitors and snorkelers | No verified mandatory online entry ticket; confirm at DWC/official local desk | The regional bureau distinguishes no entry charge from paid boats, but the DWC marine-tourism page does not independently publish a tariff or permitted-zone map. Confirm whether a given activity requires a permit, guide or paid operator. Ruhunu Tourist Bureau | Hikkaduwa Beach; Department of Wildlife Conservation | marine tourism. |
| Glass-bottom boat or guided snorkel in Hikkaduwa | Variable by operator and package Per excursion | Snorkelers and non-divers | Verified local boat or snorkeling operator | Get the exact snorkeling zone, price, duration, lifejacket, weather-cancellation terms and whether park-related fees are included. A national operator lists an example USD $50 non-diving boat trip but does not confirm that the route visits this park. Ceylon Nautica | pricing. |
| Unawatuna two-tank certified diver boat trip | EUR 70 own gear or EUR 80 rental gear (published Divinguru rate card) Per listed two-dive outing; subject to updates | Certified scuba divers on qualifying operator trips | Divinguru, https://divinguru.com/rates-offers/ | Operator rate card calls this one boat outing with two separate sites and a surface interval. Confirm exact selected date, equipment contents, promotional conditions, tax/card surcharges and the actual departure. It is not a regional tariff. |
| Hikkaduwa certified-diver trips | Variable; for comparison one operator advertises USD $125 for two equipment-inclusive dives Per operator package | Certified scuba divers | Individual Hikkaduwa operator after verifying departure | Ceylon Nautica advertises this rate across its business; the price page does not verify which Hikkaduwa dates or sites are bookable. PADI separately lists International Diving School as a Hikkaduwa provider. Ceylon Nautica | pricing; PADI | International Diving School Hikkaduwa. |
| Galle museum full ticket | USD $6 (published Central Cultural Fund full-ticket schedule, 2 September 2026) Per museum visit | Visitors buying the relevant full Galle museum ticket | Galle museum or official CCF channels | The CCF also lists a half ticket and local-currency amounts; verify eligibility, which museum ticket covers and opening time. Do not treat this as a fee for free access to the public Galle Fort streets. Central Cultural Fund | posted ticket prices. |
| Galle archaeology and shipwreck experiences | CCF lists USD $89 Galle Harbor wreck tour, USD $60 deep wreck tour and USD $48 around-fort wreck tour Published schedule, not verified departures or permits | Potential specialized activities, not default recreational dive access | Only through a currently authorized heritage/technical operator after permission verification | These are published CCF tariff lines, not proof a 2026 departure is offered or that archaeological site restrictions are waived. Sri Lanka Sub Aqua Club independently marks Avondster, Dolfijn and Hercules as prior-approval wrecks. Recheck current CCF authorization, scope and availability. Central Cultural Fund | posted ticket prices; Sri Lanka Sub Aqua Club | shipwreck inventory. |
Fee
Typically up to 30 days for qualifying tourist ETA; check entry and extension rules
Free eligibility expanded effective 25 May 2026 to 40 named countries. Even eligible visitors generally need advance authorization. Extensions or other nationalities may incur fees; see Sri Lanka Immigration | official ETA notice and eligibility.
Per visitor day and local access rules; confirm in person
The regional bureau distinguishes no entry charge from paid boats, but the DWC marine-tourism page does not independently publish a tariff or permitted-zone map. Confirm whether a given activity requires a permit, guide or paid operator. Ruhunu Tourist Bureau | Hikkaduwa Beach; Department of Wildlife Conservation | marine tourism.
Per excursion
Get the exact snorkeling zone, price, duration, lifejacket, weather-cancellation terms and whether park-related fees are included. A national operator lists an example USD $50 non-diving boat trip but does not confirm that the route visits this park. Ceylon Nautica | pricing.
Per listed two-dive outing; subject to updates
Operator rate card calls this one boat outing with two separate sites and a surface interval. Confirm exact selected date, equipment contents, promotional conditions, tax/card surcharges and the actual departure. It is not a regional tariff.
Per operator package
Ceylon Nautica advertises this rate across its business; the price page does not verify which Hikkaduwa dates or sites are bookable. PADI separately lists International Diving School as a Hikkaduwa provider. Ceylon Nautica | pricing; PADI | International Diving School Hikkaduwa.
Per museum visit
The CCF also lists a half ticket and local-currency amounts; verify eligibility, which museum ticket covers and opening time. Do not treat this as a fee for free access to the public Galle Fort streets. Central Cultural Fund | posted ticket prices.
Published schedule, not verified departures or permits
These are published CCF tariff lines, not proof a 2026 departure is offered or that archaeological site restrictions are waived. Sri Lanka Sub Aqua Club independently marks Avondster, Dolfijn and Hercules as prior-approval wrecks. Recheck current CCF authorization, scope and availability. Central Cultural Fund | posted ticket prices; Sri Lanka Sub Aqua Club | shipwreck inventory.