Shore Excursion Colombo Port Passenger Terminal to Moonstone Mine
Traveler rating
4.0/5
Based on 1 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Shore Excursion Colombo Port Passenger Terminal to Moonstone Mine worth booking?
Shore Excursion Colombo Port Passenger Terminal to Moonstone Mine is a 7-hour experience in Colombo, Sri Lanka, from $240 per person. It scores 46 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4/5 rating across 1 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 46 / 100
- Rating
- 4/5 (1)
- Duration
- 7 hours
- From
- $240 per person
We Make your travel easier and more comfortable with our shore excursion, you are Traveling by private vehicle, and visit top sights such as Meetiyagoda Moonstone mine, Ambalangoda Mask museum, Madu River, Bentota beach, and back to the passenger terminal.
What you get
About this experience
We Make your travel easier and more comfortable with our shore excursion, you are Traveling by private vehicle, and visit top sights such as Meetiyagoda Moonstone mine, Ambalangoda Mask museum, Madu River, Bentota beach, and back to the passenger terminal.
What's included
Included
- Lunch
- Driver
- all the entrance tickets
- Transport by air-conditioned car
What you'll see and do
Meetiyagoda Moonstones can occur in several colors, but there’s only one place in the whole world that produces the exquisite blue moonstone—Meetiyagoda in southwest Sri Lanka. In fact, Sri Lanka was so associated with this mysterious gem that moonstones used to go by the name Ceylon opal. Local legend has it that the land around Meetiyagoda has been blessed by the moon, and it’s obvious why. Underneath this small village is the world’s largest vein of a moonstone-bearing igneous rock called pegmatite. You’d think that an area so rich in this stunning gemstone would be heavily mined and scarred by machiners but digging by hand down through the topsoil, the miners use coconut wood scaffolding and fern leaves to prop up and line the sides of the shafts as they go. Once they hit the pegmatite layer, the miners begin to tunnel, again using coconut beams to keep the tunnels from collapsing. Collected in buckets, the moonstone-bearing gravel is then winched up the mine shaft – again by hand.
180 minutes here
Ariyapala Mask Museum
This museum is designed to introduce the richness of the mask tradition of Ambalangoda and to strengthen this cultural heritage. The museum, the workshop, and the small library. The Karava people (fisher community) living in the western and south-western coastal areas of Sri Lanka have developed a great variety of social customs. The southwest coast area, es-specially Ambalangoda is particularly well known for its mask plays and rituals that are performed on different assotions. Among these performances, there are two famous ones, the Kolam Maduwa and the rituals to expel evil demons which cause diseases. For many decades, the famous masks have been highly appreciated by private and museum collectors and other experts. But for economic reasons mainly especially the Kolam Dances fell into disuse during the last 3o to 5o years and were performed only very seldom, on the other side, mask carving has now developed into a cottage industry. Of all the well-known carvers in the area,
60 minutes here · Admission included
Balapitiya
Madu Ganga Lake, together with the smaller Randombe Lake, which is connected by two narrow channels, forms the Madu Ganga wetland. Its estuary and the many mangrove islets on it constitute a complex coastal wetland ecosystem. It has a high ecological, biological, and aesthetic significance, being home to approximately 303 species of plants belonging to 95 families and to 248 species of vertebrate animals. The inhabitants of its islets produce peeled cinnamon and cinnamon oil.
60 minutes here
Bentota Beach
Bentota is a resort town on Sri Lanka’s southwest coast. Its long Bentota Beach stretches north, where it becomes a sandy strip known as Paradise Island, parallel to Bentota Lagoon. Coral-rich dive sites include Canoe Rock. On Bentota River, the centuries-old Galapota Temple has a large Buddha statue. Southeast is Lunuganga, the estate, and gardens of architect Geoffrey Bawa. Northeast is his brother Bevis's Brief Garden
30 minutes here · Admission included
return on the southern expressway to Colombo port.
120 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 10 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 2 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Colombo City Boy
Know before you go
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Dress code is smart casual
Photos
Traveler reviews
1 verified traveler reviews for Shore Excursion Colombo Port Passenger Terminal to Moonstone Mine. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
;Moonstone Mine & Madu River Safari
Our excellent Driver/Guide Narlin was on the warf to meet us when we disembarked from the ship and wisked us away in his airconditioned sedan. Nilan whose English was very good and his driving excellent knew all the backroads and missed Colombo’s notorious traffic. The Moonstone mine was unique and fascinating. When we arrived at Madu River Safari there was confusion about what the tour covered. They wanted us to pay for lunch and the boat fee. After we pointed out that these items were included on the voucher they agreed to pay but they would not pay the 600 Rupees each for the fish massage or 2000 Rupees each entrance fee for the Turtle Hatchery as they were not specified on the voucher although included on the tour description. Maybe we are entitled for a refund for these items. Apart from this the tour was excellent and far superior to any offered by the ship. Arthur
Response from the operator: gratitude, we are back on operations.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 7 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 0
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Colombo City Boy, who run 25 experiences we rank across 3 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 50.0.
See everything Colombo City Boy runsWhy this scores 46
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Shore Excursion Colombo Port Passenger Terminal to Moonstone Mine: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Colombo.
How much does Shore Excursion Colombo Port Passenger Terminal to Moonstone Mine cost?
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Prices start at $240 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Colombo usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Shore Excursion Colombo Port Passenger Terminal to Moonstone Mine take?
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Plan for about 7 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Colombo is not rushed.
Is Shore Excursion Colombo Port Passenger Terminal to Moonstone Mine worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 46 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4/5 across 1 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Colombo, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Shore Excursion Colombo Port Passenger Terminal to Moonstone Mine?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Shore Excursion Colombo Port Passenger Terminal to Moonstone Mine suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 7-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Shore Excursion Colombo Port Passenger Terminal to Moonstone Mine?
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Around 0 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Colombo can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Colombo and add a light layer if any part of the 7-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Shore Excursion Colombo Port Passenger Terminal to Moonstone Mine start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Colombo within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Colombo?
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On Outty we rank every Colombo experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Sri Lanka Personal Tour Driver in private vehicle, Flexi dates on all 5 to 7 days packages for car and English speaking driver, Private Multi Day Sri Lanka Tour with Chauffeur. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Colombo?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Colombo?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Shore Excursion Colombo Port Passenger Terminal to Moonstone Mine?
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Included: Lunch; Driver; all the entrance tickets; and Transport by air-conditioned car. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Shore Excursion Colombo Port Passenger Terminal to Moonstone Mine include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 2 listed pickup locations in and around Colombo. Be ready about 10 minutes before the start time.
What languages is Shore Excursion Colombo Port Passenger Terminal to Moonstone Mine offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Shore Excursion Colombo Port Passenger Terminal to Moonstone Mine?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Shore Excursion Colombo Port Passenger Terminal to Moonstone Mine wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Not recommended for pregnant travelers. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Shore Excursion Colombo Port Passenger Terminal to Moonstone Mine if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Colombo. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
Ready to lock in your spot?
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