Southern Province
Some of the best diving in Sri Lanka can be found in the south, with wonderful shore dives for beginners as well as the advanced Great Basses.
Explore Sri Lanka
Diving in Sri Lanka offers an extraordinary underwater journey, thanks to its diverse marine ecosystems and rich historical backdrop. The island's location in the Indian Ocean provides a warm and tropical climate, perfect for year-round diving adventures. Divers can explore vibrant coral reefs teeming with life, including colorful corals, sea turtles, and an array of tropical fish. The underwater landscapes vary from shallow coral gardens to dramatic vertical walls that plunge into the deep blue, offering breathtaking views and thrilling experiences for both beginners and seasoned divers. Sri Lanka is also renowned for its historic shipwrecks, remnants from colonial times and World War II, which now serve as artificial reefs. These underwater relics are home to large schools of fish and fascinating marine creatures, providing a glimpse into the past. Whether opting for shore dives, boat trips, or liveaboard expeditions, divers can enjoy a rich variety of sites. Seasonal highlights include the migration of blue whales and the gathering of manta rays, adding an element of excitement and uniqueness to any dive plan. Beyond the astonishing marine life, what truly sets Sri Lanka apart is its blend of natural beauty and historical intrigue, with each dive site offering a story waiting to be discovered. This makes Sri Lanka a captivating destination where the wonders of the ocean seamlessly intertwine with the island's storied past.
Power Plug Type
D, G, M
Payment Method
VISA, MC, AMEX, DIS, JCB, Cir, Plus
Tipping
5–10% / Service Staff & Hotel Staff / Tipping is appreciated in restaurants and hotels; some establishments include a service charge in the bill.
Currency
LKR
Dial Code
+94
Electricity
230 V / 50 Hz
Time
UTC+5:30 (SLST)
Top Regions to Explore
Dive Centers
Dive Sites
Top Wildlife Sightings in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka's coastal waters are teeming with vibrant marine life, making it a popular destination for divers. The coral reefs are home to a variety of colorful reef fish such as butterflyfish, angelfish, and parrotfish, which are commonly seen year-round. These reefs also host a diverse range of invertebrates, including anemones and crustaceans.
Seasonal highlights for divers include encounters with majestic creatures like whale sharks and manta rays, particularly from November to April along the southern coast. Sea turtles, including green and hawksbill species, are frequently spotted around the reefs of Hikkaduwa and Unawatuna. Additionally, the east coast offers sightings of reef sharks, especially at dive sites near Trincomalee. While sightings can vary with the seasons and locations, these marine animals offer unforgettable experiences for divers exploring Sri Lanka's underwater world.
Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 200
Alamy-WaterFrame
Moray Eel
1.3k Sightings
J
81
F
59
M
81
A
83
M
93
J
113
J
224
A
233
S
159
O
26
N
51
D
53
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 27
iStock-Global_Pics
Barracuda
238 Sightings
J
33
F
32
M
28
A
14
M
19
J
0
J
20
A
28
S
16
O
13
N
9
D
26
Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
Green Turtle
202 Sightings
J
10
F
3
M
4
A
11
M
19
J
20
J
36
A
47
S
35
O
7
N
2
D
8
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 600
iStock/ultramarinfoto
Wrasse
130 Sightings
J
19
F
17
M
10
A
2
M
5
J
6
J
13
A
20
S
9
O
11
N
11
D
7
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 300
Alamy/Reinhard Dirscherl
Octopus
127 Sightings
J
15
F
13
M
7
A
4
M
1
J
1
J
13
A
7
S
33
O
9
N
19
D
5
Shutterstock-Andrey Armyagov
Hawksbill Turtle
33 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
0
A
5
M
3
J
0
J
6
A
11
S
3
O
1
N
3
D
0
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 90
Shutterstock-Rich Carey
Angelfish
956 Sightings
J
95
F
71
M
79
A
77
M
47
J
52
J
152
A
125
S
60
O
45
N
68
D
85
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 12
iStock/cinoby
Lionfish
901 Sightings
J
68
F
61
M
53
A
63
M
61
J
57
J
168
A
163
S
94
O
24
N
32
D
57
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 8
Alamy-Reinhard Dirscherl
Bannerfish
891 Sightings
J
106
F
63
M
68
A
77
M
52
J
45
J
108
A
122
S
80
O
43
N
50
D
77
The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.
Total number of species approx.: 100
iStock-burnsboxco
Parrotfish
865 Sightings
J
102
F
70
M
71
A
70
M
46
J
44
J
126
A
117
S
58
O
34
N
61
D
66
