Learn to Dive in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s Highlights
Located in the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka has stunning coastlines and beautiful spots to scuba dive. Sri Lanka has something for everyone with beautiful reefs, caves and wrecks to explore. Diving in Sri Lanka is an incredible experience. The coral is healthy and in good condition making it the perfect home for marine life, both large and small. Blue whales and sperm whales can be found off the coast of Sri Lanka at certain points of the year.
Sri Lanka has dive sites to suit all levels of recreational and technical divers. Some of the most interesting dives include strong currents and are reserved for more experienced divers.
When is the best time to go diving in Sri Lanka?
Diving in Sri Lanka can be done at any time of the year. Due to a changing monsoon season, on the west coast of Sri Lanka dive sites are open from October to April and on the east coast from May to September.
Water Temperature: The water is between 27°C and 30°C all year-round.
Currents: None to strong
Visibility: Between 15 and 30 meters
Sri Lanka’s best dive sites
Shark Point, Beruwala
This dive site features strong currents but with these currents comes interesting marine life. This multi-level rock formation is great for spotting large shoals of fish and reef sharks.
Bulldog Reef, Kalpitiya
Sri Lanka’s largest protected marine area is the Bar Reef in Kalpitiya. With over 150 species of coral and 280 species of fish to discover. This site is great for underwater photographers as the reef is quite shallow with good lighting and visibility.
HMS British Sergeant
A WWII merchant ship, the HMS British Sergeant was sunk by the Japanese during the war. At a depth of 24 meters, the wreck is broken into two halves. The second part of the wreck has many penetration points.
About the country
Sri Lanka is known as the ‘pearl of the Indian Ocean’ and ‘teardrop of India.’ It is a world famous surfing location with many spots to choose from along Sri Lanka’s long coastline.
Over 25% of the country is protected with many species endemic to Sri Lanka. One of the most interesting cultural phenomenons is that people in Sri Lanka tend to shake their head from side to side while saying yes. This may take some time to get used to.
Recreational Courses in Sri Lanka
Dive Centers in Sri Lanka
Getting to Sri Lanka
Flying to Sri Lanka is easy from the Middle East, Australia, India, Asia and Europe. There are two main airports Bandaranaike International Airport and Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport.
Other important information
- Capital: Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
- Official Language: Sinhala and Tamil
- Demonym: Sri Lankan
- Currency: Sri Lankan rupee LKR
- Calling code: +94
- Driving Side: left
- Population: Over 22,150,000
- Pressure: Bar
- First Stage: INT/ Yoke
