Diving in Sri Lanka has a long history. It is said that Queen Cleopatra used pearls from Mannar, making it evident that diving in search of pearls is an ancient pastime.
In more modern times, the pearl fishery on the ‘Wadge banks’ of the west coast of Sri Lanka was a main source of income for the British who set up a complex mechanism for the administration and control of pearl diving.
Nature has lavishly bestowed Sri Lanka, the jewel in the Indian Ocean with many treasures and bounty on land as well as sea. It is this magic that beguiled the world famous British scientist and writer Sir Arthur C. Clark to make this island his home and pursue his interests in underwater exploration along the coast. Since he was also exploring the great and famous Barrier reef of Australia, there is no finer testimony than this to the riches of our oceans and reefs.
Beyond her natural bounty, its strategic location in the Indian Ocean (there is no land mass between her shores and the South pole) also made the island the target of invaders and colonizers. Nations fought to conquer her and get control of her ports and harbours: Colombo, Galle and the breathtakingly beautiful Trincomalee harbor ranked among the finest natural harbours in the world.
As a result the seas hold the secrets of a number of ship wrecks –casualties of numerous battles and also inclement weather.
In 1961, Sir Arthur Clarke and Mike Wilson discovered thousands of silver coins on a wreck. The 17th century ship, which belonged to Moghul Emperor Aurangzeb, son of Shah Jehan who built the Taj Mahal, India had been sunk in a storm off the Great Basses. Sir Arthur Clarke narrates the story of discovery in his book ‘The Treasure of The Great Reef’ which is recommended reading for all who dive in The Basses.
There are a number of recommended diving sites in the West Coast, South and East. Diving depends on the monsoons:
November to April – West Coast: Kalpitiya, Negombo, Colombo, Beruwela, Bentota, Hikkaduwa, Unawatuna, Weligama
May to September – East Coast: Batticoloa and Trincomalee
March to May – The Basses Ridge: the great barrier reef of Sri Lanka, almost 40 km long, the last frontier between the Indian Ocean and the South Pole. Diving can be treacherous and depends on weather conditions, but the experienced diver will be amply rewarded by the unique sights and sounds, ancient ship wrecks, limestone caves and prolific fish. There is The Great Basses and far away the Little Basses with its lighthouse
Recommended Itinerary
We present this itinerary as a year round incorporating all dive sites as well as the wonders of Sri Lanka. Diving will however depend on the season of travel.
Holiday Price
Standard package rate starting from – USD 845/- per pax, twin sharing basis Deluxe package rate starting from – USD 1,180/- per pax, twin sharing basis
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- Day 01 & 02 (02 Nights): Arrival in Sri Lanka – Habarana
- Day 03 - 05 (03 Nights): Anuradhapura – Trincomalee
- Day 06 & 07 (02 Nights): Trincomalee – Pasikudah - Batticaloa
- Day 08 (01 Night): Pasikudah – Kandy
- Day 09 (01 Night): Kandy – Nuwara Eliya
- Day 10 (01 Night): Nuwara Eliya – Yala
- Day 11 & 12 (02 Nights): Yala – Bentota
- Day 13: Bentota – Colombo - Departure
- Tour Accommodation Information
Today you will travel to Trincomalee – one of the finest natural harbours. Trincomalee is quite literally in a world of its own – a grand city enriched with history, culture and untamed beauty. Its myriad coves and bays offers an ideal location for scuba diving, bird watching and swimming whilst its stretch of wide, white sandy beaches invites you to a game on the sands or a snooze under the umbrella of the palm leaves. Trincomalee is a proud city with its legendary Koneshwaram temple and the legacy of colonialism and their forts still displaying past grandeur.
Beyond all this, the waters of Trincomalee have been designated as the hot spot for whales. Famed cetalogist Roger Payne said that you have to go to Sri Lanka if you want to see the whales! The film “Whales Weep Not” filmed in the waters of Trincomalee inspires conservation and sustainable tourism of these amazing cetaceans.
Diving in Trincomalee: The seas off Trincomalee are littered with ship wrecks as well as Japanese fighter planes which targeted the fuel tanks in Trincomalee town during World War II. The remains of one of these which crashed into a fuel tank can still be seen.
Dive Sites: MV Cordiality – a ship sunk by the LTTE terrorists in 1990 is an interesting site, and at a depth of 18 – 20 m is one of the better dives. The coral growth inside is remarkable given the newness of the wreck.
Black Tip Rock, ideal to snorkel early in the morning. If you are lucky, you might spot a pack of Reef Sharks foraging.
Kotuwegala 1 km away east from Swami Rock is a soft Coral Reef abundant with sparkling life
Admiralty Floating Dock which sank in 1944 is one of the world’s largest wrecks. Diving through this mighty ship can be an unforgettable experience.
Swami Rock, a sacred land, now sunken, lies beneath the sea. The remains of the Thousand Pillarancient Hindu Temple which was destroyed in the 17th century by Portuguese is an excellent diving experience. The remnants and few sculptures and a statue of Ganesha lies deep down.
There are many other dive sites for aquatic life, too numerous to list.
Overnight stay at a hotel in Trincomalee
Travel along the East coast via Batticaloa to Pasikudah Beach situated 35 km away from Batticaloa, and famous for its long stretch of shallow water in which one could walk a long distance out into the green waters of the Indian Ocean.
Batticaloa is re-known for its beautiful lagoons and colorful culture, possessing a unique history of being one of the favorite colonies from ancient times. You will experience a sunny climate throughout the year, affected only by one seasonal monsoon.
Diving in Pasikudah/Batticaloa The oceans of Pasikudah is a graveyard of shipwrecks, a grand arena for the beginners as the remains of ships are just 4 to 10 m deep and The Leather Coral Reef is a paradise for marine life. You will be rewarded with sights of exotic fish.
Nearby Irrachchal reef, Staghorn reef, Mushroom reef are also rich in aquatic life.
H.M.S Hermes one of the world’s finest, a World War II wreck which lies at a depth of just over 50m is a MUST DO for the experienced diver.
Boiler wreck – an easier dive at 9 meters
Things to do
- Relax on the beautiful beaches of Pasikudah
Overnight stay at a hotel in Pasikudah
Travel to Kandy – a World Heritage city. Traditions and culture remain undisturbed by European influence in the colonial era. The Royal Palace, now known as the “The Temple of the Tooth Relic” (of Lord Buddha), situated right beside the Kandy lake gives a magical beauty to the city. Kandy is also home to one of the largest botanical gardens in South East Asia. The Gardens dates back to the 14th century and boasts over 4000 species of plants and many trees with significant histories. Visitors from the UK will be particularly interested in the Cannonball Tree planted by King George V. The tree is bent with its fruits, which resemble cannonballs hence the name. Things to do
Overnight stay at a hotel in Kandy
Today you will be transferred to Nuwara Eliya, the emerald city of Sri Lanka, also called “little England” for its cool climate and colonial type architecture. It is located at an altitude of 1,868 m (6,128 ft) which enables the plantations to produce the finest tea in the world. Things to do
Overnight stay at a hotel in Nuwara Eliya
Travel to the Yala National Park, the second largest and most visited National Park, rich in wild life and famous for having the highest concentration of leopards in the world. Things to do
Overnight stay at a hotel in Yala
Travel to Bentota, a popular stretch of beach resorts offering excellent sun sea and sand to wind down your dream vacation. Bentota has plenty to offer apart from pure leisure. It is a recognized area for scuba divining, snorkelling and many water-based sports. Diving at Bentota
Dive on Canoe Rock, and on Hundirangala. Venture further afield to Beruwela to Shark Point, Barracuda Rock, etc. All waters are rich in aquatic life. If you are lucky, you could spot a whale shark. Things to do
Overnight stay at a hotel in Bentota
Today you will be transferred to Colombo – the official political and trade capital of Sri Lanka. All the famous shopping arcades are in and around the city, which allows one to have a tantalizing experience in Colombo as it has something to offer every visitor. As a hub of many ethnicities with people from all creeds working together, Colombo is indeed cosmopolitan. Things to do
After all activities, drive to Bandaranaike International Airport for departure
Tour Inclusions Tour Exclusions