Ultimate Guide to Sri Lankan Dive Sites

Sri Lankan dive sites are a marvel and only available to an exclusive few who know how to dive and/or swim. Now and again, I discover just how much Sri Lanka has to offer. For instance, I am an absolute fan of Sri Lankan beaches, but I have never thought about the adventures you can enjoy underwater. Dive down into the sea for an adventure of a lifetime! Check out these gorgeous diving sites in Sri Lanka! Warning: some of these places are for experienced divers only The lush landscape and vibrant culture and traditions are some of the best-selling points in Sri Lanka. But there’s a whole world of hidden wonders under the sea. 29 diving spots in Sri Lanka offer an experience you won’t forget! Some of these are natural wonders. Some are shipwrecks that can spark the imagination.

Whether you are an experienced diver or a beginner, you can explore plenty of underwater wonders. The island has several coral reefs, shipwrecks and underwater caves you can visit. Of course, some of these Sri Lankan diving spots are only accessible to experienced divers.

The best Sri Lankan diving sites

Of the Sri Lankan 29 dive sites:

• 21 are reef dives
• 8 are shipwrecks
• 4 are underwater caves

Your diving sessions may depend on the seasonal monsoons. But, thanks to these 29 diving spots, you can still indulge in an exciting adventure regardless of the weather! Between October and May, head to diving sites on the western and southwestern coasts. From May through October, conditions are more favourable for diving along the northeastern coast. That said, read on to find the top diving spots in Sri Lanka.

Gorgonian Gardens

The Gorgonian Gardens lies about 35 metres under the sea off the coast of Colombo. Giant Gorgonian sea fans form an underwater forest, so it’s an epic experience. In addition to Gorgonian fans of various sizes, you will also come across a stunning range of marine life. One of the most spectacular species you can spot is the Red tooth triggerfish.

The current tends to be strong in this area. So, to avoid missing one of the best diving sites in Sri Lanka, you must do a rapid head-down descent. A Surface Marker Buoy is also compulsory. However, strong currents and depth mean it is a diving site fit only for experienced divers. Despite the challenges, the proximity to Colombo makes this one of the most popular Sri Lankan dive sites. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a weekend adventure.

Swami Rock

Swami Rock in Trincomalee is one of the most famous landmarks in the area. It is a site of marine wonders, but it also has historical and religious value. The latter is due to the iconic Koneswaram Kovil perched at the cliff edge. Thanks to the steep drop from the edge, you get stunningly panoramic ocean views.

The Kovil also plays a part in making Swami Rock one of the best Sri Lankan dive sites. Back when the Portuguese invaded the island in the 17th century, many valuable artefacts and statues from the kovil found their way to the bottom of the ocean. Today, on a diving excursion, you can see some statues. Now, are they truly that old? That’s debatable. However, even if you don’t buy the story of the sunken statues, you should still enjoy the dive. The area teems with marine life and coral that you can observe closely. The sea is about 15 metres deep at this point with gentle currents. You can hire a boat to take you to the site and dive safely.

Bar Reef

Bar Reef in Kalpitiya is one of the largest reef systems in Sri Lanka. It’s certainly the largest in Kalpitiya! Spread out over nearly 300 kilometres, the reef system has over 150 species of coral acting as homes for about 280 species of tropical fish.

The Bar Reef is about three kilometres off the Kalpitiya Lagoon and you can access it by boat. However, diving isn’t strictly necessary. The water is shallow enough that you can snorkel. For this reason, boats have to drop anchor a small distance away from the reef so that the anchor doesn’t damage the corals.

Cargo Wreck

Want to take a break from the gentle beauty of the corals and embark on a more spooky undersea adventure? Why not explore a shipwreck? Cargo Wreck is one of the most popular diving sites in Sri Lanka. The site contains a 90-metre wreck off the coast in Colombo. While it went by the name Cargo Wreck, it now has another more official name – Pecheur Breton wreck – the name of the cargo carrier now lying on its side at the bottom of the sea.

At its shallowest, the ship lies at about 20 metres. However, part of the ship also lies at a depth of 33 metres. The sunken ship is now a thriving living reef, with corals clinging to its rusty surface. You can see several species of reef fish darting through the corals. In addition, there are hunting tuna, king mackerel and even occasionally whale sharks!

Coral Gardens

Hikkaduwa Coral Gardens is one of the most famous attractions in the area. While it’s one of the prettiest diving sites in Sri Lanka, you don’t necessarily need to go underwater to enjoy the gardens.

There are boats made especially for the task with glass bottoms that let you sail over the delicate corals on the sea bed. However, snorkelling or diving is still better, because you get to see everything up close. There are multiple varieties of coral species, reef fish and other marine life, including several species of turtles that you can see.

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