Diving and Snorkelling

Seasons

On the west and south coasts the diving season runs from about October or November to April. On the east coast, around Trincomalee, it runs from about April to October.

Colombo and Negombo

Sites off Colombo include the Gorgonian Gardens, Taprobane reefs and Barracuda Reef off Mount Lavinia, along with wrecks such as the Medhufaru, a Maldivian cargo ship. Negombo has reefs, rocks and small caves with lionfish, snappers, moray eels, fusiliers and groupers. See diving in Colombo.

The south-west coast

Beruwala has Shark Point and Barracuda Rock, and Bentota has Canoe Rock. Hikkaduwa's reef is protected as a marine national park, with shallow water for beginners, glass-bottomed boats and sites such as Kiralagala and Black Coral Point; see diving and snorkelling in Hikkaduwa.

Galle to Mirissa

Galle harbour has several recorded wrecks, and near Hambantota lies the Godawaya, an ancient wooden wreck. Unawatuna and Jungle Beach are good for snorkelling and wreck dives; see diving in Galle. Weligama has shallow reefs for snorkelling and deeper sites such as the Prince Heinrich Patch and Bridge Rock, known for nudibranchs; see diving in Weligama. Mirissa and Dickwella also have dive centres.

The east and north-west

Around Trincomalee, Nilaveli and Pigeon Island have hard and soft corals, rays and moray eels. Wrecks offshore include HMS Hermes off Batticaloa. The Bar Reef off Kalpitiya is one of the largest reef systems in the country and a good place to snorkel.

Courses

Many centres offer PADI courses from open water to divemaster, along with night and reef dives.

Tips

Choose a dive centre with certified instructors and well-maintained equipment, and do not touch or stand on coral. Visibility is best in the calm months of each coast and can drop after rain.