Best Dive Sites in Sri Lanka 2020

Kirala Gala Dive Site.

One of the best dive sites in the area, this deep dive is only 15 minutes from the dive school. The pinnacle begins at 20m, descending to 40m, and is surrounded by numerous shoals of fish, attracted by the beautiful soft coral. Look out for the huge shoal of red tooth triggerfish, our resident barracuda pack and the cluster of oriental sweetlips and schooling bannerfish near the base of the pinnacle, and the ever-present morays. There’s something for everyone at Kirala Gala, and in the right season, you’ll even see mantas and whale sharks cruise by.

Conch Wreck

The wreck of one of the world’s first oil tankers, the Conch, can be found 20 minutes from the school. Ranging in depth from 14 to 20m, this site is suitable for all levels. Parts of the wreck are scattered across the sea bed, whilst others remain where they sank, including the huge oil tanks themselves. Highlights include cuttlefish, titan triggerfish and the large grouper inside the wreck.

Goda Gala

The landscape of this site reminds divers of some alien planet, with large boulders littering the seabed. At a maximum depth of 24m, Goda Gala is fun for all, with plenty of blue boxfish, morays, lobsters and all the usual suspects to look out for. Only a 15 minute boat ride, Goda Gala is a regular dive spot for the school.

Ralahamigala Rock

This site is in the close proximity to Godagala rock. This site is also full of big tropical fish like moray eels, snappers, barracuda, and also octopus, turtles, lobsters and various varieties of ornamental fish. Apart from this natural creations like coral reefs and boulders can be seen underneath the water.

Wreck of Ship Earl of Shaftsbury

An English ship sank in the year 1847 (one piece) a site worth watching because of the historical value. The area is studded with beautiful corals grown over last few centuries. Full of tropical fish such as rays and barracuda. It is just 15 minutes boat ride from the school and the maximum diving depth is 15 meters.

Black Coral Point

One of the most gorgeous sites to dive. The beautiful corals of many and vivid colours are majestically standing along the coral reef. Fish of many varieties such as clown fish, angel fish, and snappers and “Black Corals” can be seen.

Coral Garden Cave

A natural Stone Cave underneath the water created by boulders of the sea bed. The area is full of corals like many varieties of flowers in the garden. The marine life contains many varieties of fish including turtles.

Seenigama Rock

This site covered with beautiful coloured corals by nature, which is fantastically shaped. Full of marine life, big fish such as barracuda, moray eel, rays etc. Underneath the water the corals of various colours can be seen in its own splendor.

Hikkaduwa Gala Rock

In this site, the art of dive is deep rift dive. This area is covered with broad legendary Hikkaduwa Coral Reef which is worldwide known for it’s most sophisticated and colourful coral beds. Marine life and tropical water fish such as barracuda, snappers, blotched, lobsters, rays swim through the corals in crystal clear water.

Yakamuththagala Rock

“The rock of grand demon” in Sinhala is full of corals and colourful fish underneath rifted barriers and rocks could be seen.

Kadwaragala Rock

This rock is named after the legendry God “Kadawara” who can influence the good as well as evil to anyone’s life according to the merits or acts he or she may create. It is being said that God “Kadawara” sailed to Sri Lanka in a stone boat and landed near this rock. These are part of the legendry Hikkaduwa reef and barrier and as in the other places full of corals and marine life.

Sunil’s Rock

Sunil’s rock located close to great Hikkaduwa coral reef, provides some mature wonders like caves oriented in the sea bed with caves for divers. As nature has entrusted in this area a diver may sea lion fish, grouper, and soft corals. A site worthwhile to dive.

Other Dive Sites

Southern Coast

Ralagala

A wonderful site to dive. This is a point where waves break, a diver may feel just beneath the surface of the water, where a diver will gain some exciting experience. Marine life and corals are common than the other areas.
Travelling time – 01 hour
Diving Depth – 01-20 meters

Madagala

A site where some of the wrecks of ships could be seen. The area is surrounded by tropical fish and corals. A site worthwhile to watch for divers who love and like sea life. This is also an area where some wonderful kinds of marine creatures such as dolphins, big groupers could be seen.
Travelling time – 45 minutes
Diving Depth – 02-28 meters

S.S.Yorgan

A steam ship that sank a few decades ago. The wreck of the ship can still be seen in the site as dark and gloom patches. Full of natural creations of marine life and tropical fish. A site where nature lovers should dive and watch for its splendor and gorgeous gift of the nature.
Travelling time – 45 minutes
Diving Depth – 05 -13 meters

Wreck Ethophy

“Ethophy” a cargo ship that sank in 1977. Two pieces of wrecks and the big engine of the vessel submerged around the site. This is one of the ships sank recently in the legacy of more than twenty centuries of marine trade and seafaring full of corals and marine life.
Travelling time – 01 hour
Diving Depth – 15-16 meters

Wreck of Rangoon

Another vessel sank a few decades ago. Area is full of marine life. Divers may come across naturally oriented corals underneath sea beds. Any nature lover would dive for the second time if he has already dived.
Travelling time – 02 hours
Diving Depth – 20-33 meters

The flora and fauna is consisted with Black tip Reef sharks, Turtles, Moray eels, soft and hard corals. The depth is surrounded in this island varies from 2m to 11m and its situated just directly 2km away from the dive centre.

Bubble Rock

Only 10 minute ride to the dive site. There are various species of fish are surrounded by the rock. Your time spending in the vicinity is really worth. Scorpion fish and Lion fish are highlights here. Maximum depth of the site is 14 meters.

Double Rock

Its just 15 minutes away from the beach by the boat. Sting ray Lion fish, Octopus are the fabulous fish occupied at this dive site and various kinds of rare fish are also could be witnessed. You can enjoy this dive site upto 13 meters maximum.

Coral Garden

The flora and fauna of the dive site consist with beautiful soft Corals and different kinds of fish such as Lion fish, Barracuda, Lobster,

Trumpet fish, Turtles, Puffer fish etc. This is a pretty shallow dive site but could be enjoyed by both beginners and advanced divers. The maximum depth of this dive site is 10 meters and could be reached within 15 min by the boat .

Knife Rock

Divers can witness Turtles, Sting Rays, Trigger fish, Lion fish, Stone fish, Cuttle fish and ample beautiful soft corals are also spreaded. 18 meters is the maximum depth of the dive site and could be approached within 10 mins.

Coral Bay Rock

Species of Barracuda, Puffer fish, Sting Ray, Trigger fish, Lion fish, Stone fish are the behavioral fish in this dive site among the other popular kinds of fish. This dive site could be reached within 20 minutes and the maximum depth is 13 meters.

Irakkandy wreck

It’s a 18th century steamer ship sunken in the depth of 6-11 meters. Also a very good dive site for Nudi branches, Mollusks and soft corals, schools of Barracuda, Angle fish, Parrot fish are the well known species of fish available to see here. And could be reached within 15 minutes.

Sachi Point

It’s a wonderful dive site with many varieties of fish and soft corals. Also famous site for Nudibranches. Maximum depth is 22 meters and could be reached within 20 minutes.