Diving in Sri Lanka is always accompanied by a comfortable water temperature (+ 26 ... 31 ° C), good visibility (about 30 m) and a wide variety of sites with racks. In general, there are three most popular regions for diving on the island: western, southern and eastern.
West Coast
Best time for diving - from November to March, the best sites - at Negombo, Kalpitia ( Kalpitiya), Beruvelly and Bentoty.
Three large reefs run parallel to the coast near Negombo. If the first and second - just cool, then the third reef - one of the best in the whole country, especially in the period of February-March. The reefs are a rocky ridge 20 km from the shore, all covered with coral gardens. The ridge stretches for several kilometers, the minimum depth of the reef is 18 meters. Here you can find: snapper, red mullet, sweet-nosed, napoleon fish and moray eels.
North of Negombo lies the western peninsula of Kalpitiya and the biggest reef of the country Bar-Reef (Bar Reef). Due to the size of which (five kilometers in length and about two in width), you can see almost all the species of fish that live in these waters, as well as mantas, reef sharks and turtles.
South of the capital of Sri Lanka, Colombo, there are two famous beach resorts - Beruwela and Bentota. Here there are unique rock formations, located at different levels under the water, where you can see flocks of snapper, sweet-throated, barracuda, trevally, triggerfish and bannerfish. The reef lies in 40 minutes of swimming from the shore, at a depth of 20-31 m.
Southern coast
As well as in the west, it is better to dive here in the period of November-March. The most popular dive sites are off the coast of Hikkaduwa and Unawatuna, as well as the separate Great and Little Basses. Less known: Dodanduwa, Gintota, Medagala, Ralagala, Weligama, Mirissa, Matara, Polhena, Dondara and Tangalle.
Resort Hikkaduwa - the dive capital of Sri Lanka, is 99 km south of Colombo and is considered the best dai-base in the country. - $ . Here you can find not only a huge number of licensed dive operators, but also all kinds of accommodation, restaurants, shops and cafes . Besides, a lot of ships sank not far from here, which now represent a "tidbit" for divers $ $ . Over 20 local racks can be easily visited by boat in less than an hour . As a rule, these are ships of the 19th century, but there are constantly "more recent milestones of history" (Sri Lanka has long known trade routes ) . One of such racks, SS Conch, was the world's first oil tanker . Also, once the trading ship Earl of Shaftsbury and the ship Norsa, sunk in 1889 .
Unawatuna is only 20 km from Hikkaduwa and, according to the Discovery Channel, is considered one of the best beaches in the world. Here it is worth diving to the SS Rangoon rack (depth 32 m), once a beautiful steamer built in 1863. In addition, both Hikkaduwa and Unawatura are great for snorkelling. ±$ In the very south of the island, where nothing can stop the severe monsoon winds and showers, there is a reef ridge Great Basses Reef
Diving in this area is only possible from mid-March to mid-April ±$ $ . Boats to the reef are sent, as a rule, from the town of Kirinda . . The waters around them are literally "filled" with racks .At one time, not one boat was drowned here, pouring on one of their rocks Great Basses Reef .Now in the vicinity of these places is prohibited navigation for large vessels .One of the most interesting racks is the ship of the great Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, which was opened in 1961 .Diving is allowed only for experienced divers, the current is strong, the depth is 12-14 m .
In addition to the racks, there are amazing canyons, ravines and rocks, black corals and a variety of sea sponges. You can meet: a mullet, a snapper, fusilier, angelfish, guban, groupers, tuna, large gray sharks and rays.
East coast
It is better to dive on the east coast from March to May (this month whale watching is especially popular) and from August to December. Popular dive sites are off the coast of Trincomalee and Batticaloa, the lesser known are Kalmunai, Tirukkovil, Punnakudah, Kalkudah, Passekudah and Vakkarai. br>
Trincomalee (or Trinco) is not only beautiful beaches, but also the right winds for surfing, excellent opportunities for whale watching and just a "paradise for divers" .The sea around Trincom is full of all kinds of races that appeared here after the Japanese air attack during the Second World .However, some of the underwater areas of the city are controlled by the Sri Lanka navy, so dives may need permission .The most popular dive sites are Swami Rock, Sitanampara and Small Grouper Rock .At 12 km from Trincomalee is Niaveli beach, on the coast of which no permits are required, and interesting places - no less than .For example, the island of Pigeon, Coral Island and the Irakkandiya River, which is only 10 minutes from the coast,.
In the south of Trinco is a sleepy town and the Batticaloa lagoon (or simply Batty), which is located on the island and on the mainland. All this bizarre and very picturesque disgrace connects several bridges. Batti is known for its paradise beaches, "singing" fish and dive sites, along which it is possible to draw an approximate course of the Second World War in this region. For example, 8 km from the shore and at a depth of 54 m is the Hermes (HMS Hermes); The best time to dive is from April to May and from August to October; only for experienced divers.
Dive centers
In Hikkaduwa:
- Bavarian Diver is located in the Weligama Beach Hotel, tel .: +94 41 225-27-08
- Blue Deep Divers, www
- Dive Sites Lanka can be found at: No 279 B, Galle Road, Hikkaduwa, phone: +94 777 27-59-39, www
- Poseidon Divers, tel .: 94 9 1 227-72-94, www
- Scuba Safari, located in Coral Gardens Hotel, phone: 94 912 277-188-9
In Negombo:
- LSR Negombo, tel .: +94 112 824-955, 826-125, www
- Serendib Water Sports, tel .: +94 777 38 55
In Unawatuna:
- Sea Horse Divers, tel .: +94 77 627-76-22, www
- Unawatuna Dive Center at: Matara Road, tel .: +94 91 224-46-93, www
In Bentota and Beruwela:
- Scuba Sri Lanka is located in Lihiniya Surf Hotel, phone: +94 34 227-51-26
- Ypsylon Diving Center & Resort, located in the guesthouse Ypsylon Guesthouse, tel .: +94 34 761-32, 763-34, www
In Tangalle:
- Fun and Dive Resort, www
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