Country

Diving in Sri Lanka

4 dive destinations in Sri Lanka, up to 300 km apart. Water temperature across them runs 26–31 °C. All 4 are in season in Nov–Apr. 20 named dive sites have their own pages.

Unawatuna & Jungle Beach · photo tmc1233

Destinations: 4
Dive sites: 20
Water: 26–31°C
Most in season: Nov–Apr

RegionIndian Ocean

Where are the dive destinations in Sri Lanka?

Numbers match the table below. Land outline: Natural Earth (public domain).

How do they compare?

Conditions at each dive destination in Sri Lanka
#	Destination	Best months	Water	Visibility	Depth	Level	Access	Sites
1	Trincomalee & KalpitiyaCoral gardens, a sunken aircraft carrier, and sperm whale superpods	Apr–Aug	27–30°C	10–30 m	5–40 m	Intermediatesites from intermediate to advanced	Shore, Day boat	3
2	HikkaduwaAn early oil tanker and a deep rock pinnacle a short boat ride out	Oct–Apr	26–31°C	—	14–24 m	Intermediatesites from intermediate to advanced	Day boat	4
3	Unawatuna & Jungle BeachHistoric wrecks on the approaches to Galle Harbour	Jan–Mar	28–30°C	5–30 m	6–18 m	Intermediatesites from beginner to advanced	Day boat	8
4	Weligama & MirissaNudibranch-rich rock pinnacles a short boat ride off the south coast	Dec–Mar	27–31°C	—	6–24 m	Intermediatesites from beginner to advanced	Day boat	5

When is the best time to dive Sri Lanka?

The most destinations are rated good or prime at the same time in Nov–Apr: 4 of 4. Each row is one destination's own season rating.

Season rating by month for each dive destination in Sri Lanka
Destination	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
1Trincomalee & Kalpitiya	Good	Good	Good	Prime	Prime	Prime	Prime	Prime	Good	Fair	Good	Good
2Hikkaduwa	Prime	Prime	Prime	Prime	Fair	Off-season	Off-season	Off-season	Off-season	Prime	Prime	Prime
3Unawatuna & Jungle Beach	Prime	Prime	Prime	Good	Fair	Fair	Fair	Fair	Fair	Good	Good	Good
4Weligama & Mirissa	Prime	Prime	Prime	Good	Off-season	Off-season	Off-season	Fair	Fair	Fair	Good	Prime
Good or prime	4	4	4	4	1	1	1	1	1	2	4	4

Which destinations combine into one trip?

Destinations that fit within 200 km of each other end to end and share at least one month rated good or prime. Distances are straight lines between destinations, not travel routes.

42 km end to end

In season together: Nov–Apr