Scuba diving in Sri Lanka is an exploration of the incredible marine life that the country has to offer. It is known to have some of the best dive spots in all of Asia, where divers have seen a large variety of coral and fish. Explore the underwater world of turtles, colorful corals, and fascinating fish swimming past you in an exhilarating scuba diving experience.
Best Dive Sites in Sri Lanka
1. Unawatuna
Unawatuna is famous for having ten coral reef diving spots, including the Ralagala Wreck, Goda Gala Diyamba, and the Galle Shipwreck. You can go as deep as 30 meters. At this dive site, tourists can see various tropical fish. The dive school that can be used is the Poseidon Diving Station.
Location: Unawatuna Beach, Southern Province.
Price: Prices start from LKR 9897 for beginners; Starting from LKR 11674 with One Boat Dive
2. Trincomalee
Trincomalee offers a different experience from other diving sites due to its proximity to the Pigeon Island marine life sanctuary. The protected area has diverse coral reefs, numerous fish, anemones, and nudibranchs. It has also got the shipwreck Irakkandy which adds extra zest to your diving experience. The dive school most predominantly present here is the International diving school.
Location: East coast of Sri Lanka.
Price: The price starts from LKR 8375 for a boat dive with the required rental equipment, per person.
3. Mirissa
Mirissa is famous for whale watching but now has gained popularity for diving. There are five dive sites in Mirissa. The Poseidon Diving Center has many programs for beginners to learn and also full PADI training courses to reach all levels of certification. This spot is generally visited by first-time divers who seek to experience a relaxed time diving. The dive schools that take tourists are Poseidon Diving Station.
Location: It is on the southeast coast of the island.
Price: Starting from LKR 7106 without equipment per person and LKR 10150 with equipment for certified divers.
4. Passikudah
Passikudah is famous for its boiler wrecks and a wide variety of reefs present. It has got the famous British Sergeant wreck near its deepest ends which makes for great underwater photographs. This wreck dive inspires many to understand its origins during the World War 2 period in Sri Lanka. Tourists can see the big as well as small fish over here as wrecks have become a source of habitation for marine life. The fish here have gotten used to divers, and it wouldn’t be surprising if you could befriend them. Tourists here may go to the International diving school for lessons.
Location: Batticaloa, Eastern Province.
Price: Starts from LKR 17765 for newcomers as they are given training beforehand.
5. Kirinda
Kirinda offers unique diving spots as it is home to the Little and Great Basses wrecks. There isn’t a dive center at Kirinda, but the dive centers at Mirissa or Unawatuna can take visitors. Tourists have claimed to have seen grey sharks and schools of tuna swarm around them and have described the experience to be breathtaking. It is ideal only during March and April as the water is too choppy to dive during the rest of the year. The dive school that is popular for tourists here is Poseidon Diving Station. Location: It is in a coastal village in Sri Lanka in its Southern Province. Price: The price varies for tourists as there aren’t any diving centers in Kirinda. It is advised to enquire locally.
6. Kalpitiya
Kalpitiya is famous for its Bar Reef; which is one of the largest in Sri Lanka and has a wide variety of coral reefs and fishes in the region. Kalpitiya has many tourist activities as well, such as sunset cruises, whale watching, and dolphin watching. Poseidon Diving Station caters Kalpitiya on request by the tourists.
Location: Puttalam district, North Western province of Sri Lanka.
Prices: The prices start from LKR 7613 for beginners and moves up to LKR 11000 for certified divers.
7. Barracuda Reef, Hikkaduwa
Here divers can find exotic marine life, including the lionfish at the Barracuda Reef. Tourists have claimed to see beautiful reef sharks as well. Some turtles swim alongside visitors and the diving centres there are said to be top-notch. The services offered here are not too expensive as well for those who aren’t looking at taking diving too seriously. The dive schools present here are Poseidon Diving Station and International diving school.
Location: Off the coast of Mount Lavinia near Colombo.
Price: Tourists can go out snorkelling with the guide plus equipment plus a guide for LKR 3100.
8. Weligama
It is known as the Sandy or fishing village. It is one of the great diving sites as it got Yala rocks that are as high as 15 meters. This site also has caves that open up to more coral reefs and habitats of fish. It is also famous for diving with whales, which is a must-do for tourists. For visitors to go to the dive spots in Weligama, they need to inform the dive schools such as Poseidon Diving Station or International Diving School.
Location: The town is in Matara District, Southern Province, but you will have to travel 30 km east of Galle to reach the prime spots.
Price: Diving starts from LKR 6350 onwards with one boat dive
9. Taprobane Reefs
These reefs are said to be one of the most pristine diving sites in Sri Lanka. It is known for its coral domes found on the floor bed; the site is also abundant with giant manta rays and schooling fish. The dive school that operates here is the International diving school.
Price: The range starts from LKR 6800 onwards for a boat dive per person and can be higher depending on requirements.
10. Gorgonian Gardens, Colombo
Location: About 25 km (about 15.53 mi) north of Colombo.
Price: 11,200 to 16,000 LKR per person for a two-tank dive, depending on the dive operator.
11. Great Basses Reef
Off Sri Lanka's southern coast is this spectacular dive location. Only boats can get to this isolated area, but the effort is well worth it. Sharks, stingrays, and schools of fish are among the aquatic animals that can be found on this reef. The visibility in the water is between 15 and 30 meters (50 and 100 feet), and it is clear. The depth here is from 20 and 100 feet, or 6 to 30 meters.
Location: Off the southern coast of Sri Lanka
Price: 16,000 to 24,000 LKR per person for a two-tank dive, depending on the dive operator.
12. Second and Third Reef, Negombo
These two diving locations are near Negombo, a well-known beach resort on Sri Lanka's west coast. These reefs feature various underwater topography, including rocky outcrops, coral formations, and sandy sections. Schools of barracuda, trevally, and snapper, and sporadic sightings of turtles and rays, are among the local marine species. The depth here is from 20 to 60 feet, or 6 to 18 meters.
Location: Just off the coast of Negombo.
Price: 9,600 to 12,800 LKR per person for a two-tank dive, depending on the dive operator.
13. Cargo Wreck
Off the coast of Unawatuna, a well-liked tourist destination in the south of Sri Lanka, is where you'll find this diving location. A cargo ship that sank in the area in the 1940s is now home to various marine species, including snappers, groupers, and barracuda. The wreck itself is a stunning sight because of the soft corals, sponges, and sea fans that cover it. Here, the depth is between 12 and 18 meters (40 and 60 feet).
Location: Off the coast of Unawatuna.Although divers of all skill levels can use these dive sites, some may need more experience than others. Always check with your dive operator to be sure the dive site is appropriate for your level of experience. The finest months for diving in Sri Lanka are typically November through April because of the dry weather and calm waters throughout this time.
Price: 12,800 to 19,200 LKR per person for a two-tank dive, depending on the dive operator.
Best Scuba Diving Schools in Sri Lanka
1. Poseidon Diving Station
Poseidon diving school has been in function for over 45 years and is Sri Lanka’s first 5-star PADI Dive Centre and PADI 5-Star Instructor Development Center. They have built up the best reputation for safety in diving, professionalism and friendliness amongst tourists and the diving industry in Sri Lanka. For new and qualified divers, they run diving trips daily with a team of 5 experienced and qualified Divemasters who lead and assist the divers. These masters also take tourists to visit a variety of beautiful wrecks, reefs and rock formation sites.
Location: Poseidon Diving Station, Galle Road, Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka.
Price: Prices start at LKR 2500 for beginners
2. International Diving School
The course includes 12 dive sites which are less than a 20-minute boat ride from the school, which include the famous wreck of the Conch oil tanker and the Earl of Shaftesbury. The diving school ensures its customers see at least huge barracuda, manta rays, or whale sharks, which is a rare opportunity for tourists.
Location: Coral Sands Hotel, Hikkaduwa, Sri Lanka
Prices: The prices start from LKR 7071 for single dives and vary depending on the seasonal offers.
Best Time for Diving in Sri Lanka
Why Scuba Dive in Sri Lanka?
- It has got hundreds of coral and fish species.
- Sri Lanka has got some terrific diving schools with state-of-the-art diving equipment and instructors. So rest assured it is safe to dive as the waters are not too deep either.
- It has got the best-shipwrecked spots for tourists to admire.
- Sri Lanka has nearly 1600 kms of palm-fringed coastline which is in itself beautiful to explore.
Scuba Diving in Sri Lanka spans across the spectacular reefs of the eastern towns of Nilaveli and Trincomalee and the southern coasts of Mirissa and Hikkaduwa. While Colombo is also a popular diving spot for tourists, visit the smaller towns for better visibility and a wider expanse of marine life.