Sri Lanka is a diverse and fascinating destination – above and below water. As a dive destination, it’s one that suits all sorts of divers, from those wanting easy diving on pretty coral reefs, to technical divers with a lust for rust seeking to explore one of the world’s most famous WWII wrecks: HMS Hermes.
Topside, there’s exciting wildlife – elephants, leopards, monkeys, and wild peacocks. Being a relatively small country, it’s easy to combine diving with a wildlife safari – and then there’s Sri Lanka’s rich cultural history with dozens of ancient temples and monuments, reflecting hundreds of years.
Sri Lanka boasts a rich natural heritage, with amazing wildlife and biodiversity and incredible for an island of its size can boast of iconic megafauna such as leopards, elephants, and sloth bears. The island is also regarded as a biodiversity hotspot and teams with endemic birds, reptiles, amphibians, and plant species.
It has numerous natural lakes and man-made reservoirs and rivers running through its interior. Lush tropical rainforests, mangroves and coastal lagoons, misty highlands laden with waterfalls and dry zone scrub jungles contribute to the biologically diverse environment. The island has a rich cultural heritage dating back over 2500 years, with marvellous archaeological monuments. Magnificent stupas, massive irrigation reservoirs, and ruined remains of ancient kingdoms dot the landscape. Much of the heritage can be linked to the origins of Buddhism in the country.
And then there’s the food… boasting a unique culinary heritage, Sri Lankan cuisine is rich in spices with its distinct flavour and is a fusion of traditional dishes mixed with influences from traders and colonial powers.
To get the full Sri Lanka experience, it’s best to book a tour so that you can dive in a couple of locations, and add on a wildlife safari and cultural tour.
Getting Around
A dive safari in Sri Lanka often means long road trips – especially to the east coast, and for a variety of dive experiences, you’ll probably want to visit a couple of destinations: Trinco and Batticaloa, Colombo and Kalpitya, Mirissa and Kalpitya. The best way to do this is by booking with a tour company. Diveplanit has partnered with Classic Wild to curate a selection of itineraries.
We think…
Sri Lanka is a must-visit destination for divers seeking a mix of adventure, marine biodiversity and rich history. It’s a destination suitable for a wide range of divers, from pretty reef diving and pelagic encounters in Mirissa and Trincomalee to tech wreck diving in Colombo and Batticaloa.
Bandaranaike International Airport, located in Katunayake on the outskirts of Colombo, serves as Sri Lanka’s main international gateway. It welcomes flights from the UK, Middle East, India, Singapore, and Europe. NB: diving destinations on the southwest and east coast are several hours drive from the airport, so it’s best to plan an overnight stay in nearby Negombo or Colombo before heading for your final destination, especially if you arrive late afternoon/early evening.
Local Information
- Where to Stay: Dive resorts and guesthouses are available in major dive hubs like Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna, Trincomalee, and Mirissa.
- Where to Eat: Beachfront seafood restaurants, traditional Sri Lankan eateries, and international cuisine options are widely available in tourist areas.
- How to Get Around: Renting a scooter, hiring a tuk-tuk, or using private drivers are common methods of transportation.
- Other Activities: Wildlife safaris in Yala and Udawalawe National Parks, visiting ancient sites like Sigiriya, and exploring tea plantations in Nuwara Eliya.
Other Activities
Add a safari onto your dive trip
Sri Lanka has several national parks, the most well known being Wilpattu, Minneriya, and Yala.
Wilpattu National Park is the oldest and largest national park in Sri Lanka. It is known for its diverse wildlife, including leopards, sloth bears, elephants, jackals, crocodiles, deer, and water buffalo. It is also a great place for bird watching, with many species of birds found in the park. Located northwest, it is a good safari option to add on to a dive itinerary that includes Colombo in the west.
Minneriya National Park is famous for its large elephant gathering, which occurs annually between May and October. The park is also home to many other animals, including leopards, sloth bears, deer, and water buffalo. Additionally, it is a great place for bird watching, with over 160 species of birds found in the park. Located in central Sri Lanka, it’s a good one to add on to an east coast dive itinerary.
Yala National Park is the most visited national park in Sri Lanka. It is known for its high density of leopards, as well as its many other animals, including elephants, sloth bears, deer, and water buffalo. It is also a great place for bird watching, with over 200 species of birds found in the park. Located far south, Yala is convenient for a southwest dive itinerary.
Best Time to Dive in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is a year-round diving destination thanks to its two distinct monsoon seasons, which affect opposite coasts at different times. Sri Lanka’s dual-season diving makes it a perfect choice for divers any time of the year—just pick the right coast depending on the season.
West & South Coasts (Colombo, Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna, Mirissa, Kalpitiya)
- Season: November to April
- Best time: March and April.
- Why? Calm seas, excellent visibility (15–30m). Early-March to April are the peak months in the movement of Whales.
- Highlights: Wreck diving in Colombo, vibrant coral reefs in Hikkaduwa, and whale sightings near Mirissa and Kalpitya. Sperm whales are the most common whales sighted, with others including blue whales, minke, melon-headed and dwarf sperm whales.
East Coast (Trincomalee, Pigeon Island, Batticaloa)
- Season: May to September
- Best Time: May and June
- Why? Monsoon winds shift, bringing calm conditions, warm waters (27–30°C), and great visibility (20–40m). May and June provide the clearest visibility, and if diving the Hermes, time your visit according to moon phase to ensure you visit when currents are less fierce.
- Highlights: Snorkeling and diving with blacktip reef sharks at Pigeon Island, WWII wrecks in Batticaloa, including the magnificent HMS British Sergeant, and for tech divers, the HMS Hermes. Trincomalee’s Underwater Museum is also an interesting dive, with a mix of scuttled ex-Navy vessels and statues telling a story of Sri Lanka’s history.
Hikkaduwa (Southwest Coast)
What makes Hikkaduwa special is its vibrant coral reefs teeming with marine life, including butterflyfish, parrotfish, and moray eels.
Unawatuna (Southwest Coast)
Home to the several wrecks including the Galle wreck which create a haven for pelagic marine life including barracudas, trevally, and various species of rays.
Trincomalee (Northeast Coast)
Trincomalee has a curious Sri Lankan installation, the Navy Underwater Museum, a mix of life size figurines, cannons and two scuttled navy vessels. At nearby Swami Rock has a rocky underwater topography, varied marine life and a few toppled statues from the temple high above on the cliff. Pigeon Island has pretty coral reefs, where you’ll likely see turtles, reef sharks and .
Batticaloa (East Coast)
Batticaloa, on the east coast, is famous for the massive HMS Hermes wreck, the world’s first purpose-built aircraft carrier sunk during World War II. Lying at a depth of 44m (145 feet), this dive site is suitable only for technical divers. The nearby HMS British Sergeant, sunk in the same Japanese air raid as the Hermes, lies in shallower water at 13-25m (40-80 feet).
Kalpitiya (Northwest Coast)
Kalpitiya, on the northwest coast, is renowned for its marine biodiversity and for Bar Reef, one of Sri Lanka’s largest and most pristine coral reefs. Manta rays and reef sharks are frequently spotted, and the area is also famous for dolphin and whale watching.
Mirissa (South Coast)
Mirissa is famous mainly for whale watching but also has fantastic diving opportunities. The underwater landscape features rocky pinnacles, vibrant coral gardens, and a variety of marine life, including schools of trevally and angelfish.
