Galle : Profile

Location

Galle is a small town on the South western tip of Sri Lanka.

To enter Galle, you must use an Agent.
Clearance must be carried out through this agent, both on arrival and departure. The agent is supposed to ensure that the captain complies with port and immigration regulations, that he has sufficient funds in foreign exchange for the fees and that all port dues and customs duties are settled before departure.

It is recommended that you call your chosen agent on VHF about half an hour out, and again as you get closer. They will contact the military to meet you in the bay.

Alternatively e-mailing the agent in advance with the following details may save you time hanging around waiting: Yacht Name, Name of Master, Masters Passport No., Last Port, Departure Date, No. of Crew.

Arrival

Your arrival should be timed for daylight as entering the harbour at night is prohibited. Yachts arriving after 18:00 or at night should anchor behind Watering Point.

Arriving yachts must also call the Port Authority on VHF Channel 16 to notify them of arrival. If you have not yet appointed an agent, they will organise military clearance and recommend an agent for you to use.

Arriving yachts should anchor outside the entrance in the bay waiting for military clearance. Anchor near the yellow buoys opposite the entrance and allow room for ships to manoeuvre in and out. The military will check your passport and give you permission to proceed to the inner port.

Due to the swell in this anchorage, most yachts move to behind Watering Point for a calm and peaceful nights sleep, then move back next morning to be near the harbour entrance to go ashore.

Clearance

A Port Authority official will come out to the boat during office hours (0800-1200, 1300-1600 Monday to Friday) to fill in an arrival report (yacht details, crew list, etc.). The agent appointed will come to the yacht. Usually the agent will bring the health officer for the quarantine inspection.

Expect to be boarded by Health control, Immigration, Customs and Port Security.
Be aware that these officials may ask for "gifts" after having searched the boat. Do not be intimidated into doing so, if you do not wish it. There is a notice at the Port entrance stating the it is an offence to offer, receive or request any bribe.

The average cost for all clearance formalities and mooring for a month (including the agent's fee) is US$200 for a 36-40 ft boat. There is no tariff for a shorter period.

Note: In case of Emergency, the captain can come ashore and contact Customs and Immigration at the gate and inform the Port Authority of arrival. The captain can also appoint an agent whilst ashore.

Last Updated January 2010

Barwil Meridian Navigation
Tel:+94 (074) 517532
sherard.perera@barwil.com
Agents.

GAC Marine Services
205-5 Matara Road, Magalle, Galle, Sri Lanka
Tel:+94 91 2234 025 / mob. +94 7777 18007 (24hrs), Fax:+94 91 2243 769, VHF Channel 71
srilanka@gacworld.com
Contact Nuwan. Vehicle available to collect you (or your laundry/jerry cans/gas bottles etc.) from the dock to take you to the harbour security gate. Good reports from cruisers.

Galle Port Control
VHF Channel 16
Call up Galle Port Control on Ch 16 and you are requested to anchor off the harbour while the navy comes and checks you out. You are then allowed to enter the harbour which has a boom across the entrance with a narrow channel around the southern end. The navy will then direct you to go on the pontoon near the entrance (stern or bow-to with an anchor out) or anchor fore and aft in the inner part of the harbour. Agents - All yachts must have an agent which will be either GAC Shipping or the Windsors. Email the agent with details of your boat and crew before arrival so they can do the relevant paperwork and have it all ready on your arrival. (GAC shipping: Srilanka@GACWorld.com or Windsors: Windsorreef@wow.lk) Details required of Crew on board including nationality and passport numbers. If anyone is flying out of Sri Lanka list them as passengers and not crew. Boat details including LOA, beam, draught. Flag, port of registry and registration number.

Marlan Jayasuriya
Tel:077 5839541
marlanofgalle@hotmail.com
Agent recommended by cruisers.

Tango Shipping Company
29, Kachchiwatta Rd, Megalle, Galle
Tel:+94 (0) 716834708, VHF Channel 16/68
tangoshipping@sltnet.lk
Contact: Chatura Kudachchi. Fairly new yacht agency but good reports from cruisers.

Windsor Yacht Services
6 Closenburg Road, Magalle, Galle
Tel:+ 94 914 384 944, Fax:+ 94 914 380737, VHF Channel 69
windsorreef@wow.lk
Contact Santosh Windsor. Has office nearby for overseas telephone calls & mailing address. Can arrange most repairs, excursions, supply courtesy flags, fill LPG bottles and assist with spares and guardinage. Mixed reports from cruisers.

Docking

The facilities in Galle are rather limited for yachts.

Mooring Options

Mooring is only permitted in the inner harbour (mooring buoys elsewhere have been removed).

On the North side of the NE extension of Gibbert Island there is a small plastic pontoon for yachts. Berthing is stern-to, using your own bow anchor. The swell can be bad here and the pontoon very wobbly. A second pontoon is planned.

The inner harbour consists of the Fisheries Quay (in the north), where berthing is restricted to fisherman only.

The middle pier has berthing available on its north side for yachts - rafted two out. Two places next to the shore are reserved for vessels belonging to the port. When there are no commercial ships, yachts may moor on the south side of this pier.

The Closenburg Pier (in the south) provides mooring for yachts on the north side only when there are no commercial ships.

Anchoring is possible between Closenburg Pier and the middle pier.

There are mooring buoys between the new quay and the fishing harbour and this is the best place to leave a yacht during the SW monsoon. Use plenty of mooring lines as well as an anchor to ensure the safety of the boat.

Facilities

No water (except by jerrycans from the toilet block).

Electricity is not available (except on request at the middle pier).

Fuel can be carried inside the port by can or delivered by chosen agent.

The port is guarded by port security, there is one gate with a checkpoint. A port pass is required for entering and leaving the port, received when clearing in. Taxis/tuktuks are not allowed to pass the checkpoint.

As well as not being a very comfortable harbour in which to moor, it is a long walk into the town.

Last Updated September 2011.