Maritime Archaeology Museum : info and guided tour

About Maritime Archaeology Museum

The Maritime Archaeology Museum in Galle is dedicated to maritime history and archaeological discoveries linked to the sea in Sri Lanka. Located on Queens Street in the historic part of the city, it offers insight into trade, shipwrecks, and remains found off the country’s southwest coast.

The museum is best known for its focus on underwater archaeology, a field that is still not widely represented in museums across the country. Its collections highlight objects recovered from the sea, fragments connected to port activity, and evidence of the region’s naval heritage, directly tied to Galle’s maritime tradition.

The building blends into the heritage atmosphere of Galle’s old quarter, famous for its colonial-era architecture. A visit is appealing both for its educational content and for its setting, where you can feel the legacy of a port city long connected to the Indian Ocean.

Highlights include artifacts from underwater excavations, explanatory panels on maritime routes, and material traces of activities linked to ships. The museum offers a concrete look at the relationship between Galle, its port, and the remains buried beneath the sea.

Discover Galle with a private guide

A private guide can help you better understand the collections at the Maritime Archaeology Museum and place each object within Galle’s maritime history. Their guidance also provides context about the neighborhood, the port, and the city’s role in historic routes along the Sri Lankan coast.