Srilanka
Hikkaduwa (Southwest Coast)
Highlights:
- Shallow coral reefs teeming with colorful fish.
- Turtles, moray eels, and Napoleon wrasse are common.
- Wreck dives, including the popular “SS Conch” oil tanker.
Best Time to Dive:
- November to April (best visibility and calm seas).
How to Reach:
- By Road: 2-hour drive from Colombo.
- By Train: Coastal train from Colombo to Hikkaduwa.
Unawatuna (South Coast)
Highlights:
- Easy shore diving with a variety of reef fish.
- The Galle Shipwrecks, including sunken cargo and steamships.
- Seasonal sightings of reef sharks and stingrays.
Best Time to Dive:
- November to April.
How to Reach:
- By Road: 2.5-hour drive from Colombo.
- By Train: Southern railway to Galle, then a short tuk-tuk ride.
Trincomalee (Northeast Coast)
Highlights:
- Pigeon Island National Park with vibrant coral reefs.
- Blacktip reef sharks, sea turtles, and cuttlefish.
- Historic wrecks like the HMS Hermes aircraft carrier.
Best Time to Dive:
- May to September.
How to Reach:
- By Road: 6-hour drive from Colombo.
- By Train: Overnight train to Trincomalee.
Batticaloa (East Coast)
Highlights:
- World War II wrecks, including the British aircraft carrier HMS Hermes.
- Healthy reefs with moray eels, lionfish, and barracuda.
- Unexplored dive sites with great visibility.
Best Time to Dive:
- May to September.
How to Reach:
- By Road: 6-hour drive from Colombo.
- By Train: Direct train from Colombo to Batticaloa.
Kalpitiya (Northwest Coast)
Highlights:
- Dolphin and whale watching combined with diving.
- Bar Reef Marine Sanctuary, the largest coral reef in Sri Lanka.
- Frequent sightings of manta rays and reef sharks.
Best Time to Dive:
- November to April.
How to Reach:
- By Road: 4-hour drive from Colombo.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.