Diving in Sri Lanka
We dive two coasts, and they run on opposite seasons — so there's almost always somewhere worth being in the water. Off Mirissa, in the south, green turtles feed on the reef right off our centre, and you're often swimming with them minutes after you drop in. Off Nilaveli, in the east, it's coral gardens, blacktip reef sharks and some of the clearest water on the island. Tell us your dates and we'll put you on the right side of the country.
Never dived before? You start in the pool with an instructor beside you — not straight off a boat — and only head out to the ocean once you're comfortable. That's how Discover Scuba Diving and the full PADI Open Water course both begin here, and it's why nervous first-timers surface grinning. Already certified? Come fun diving — one dive or ten, at your pace, with guides who are relaxed, patient and know every site. There's Advanced Open Water when you want to go deeper, night dives, and refreshers for when it's been a while.
Kids dive too — the Bubble Maker is built for 8- to 10-year-olds, shallow and fully supervised.
Every course and dive runs to PADI standards, with a crew that'll film the whole thing on a GoPro if you want it, and guides who'll clear rubbish off the reef while you watch the turtles. Pick your coast, and we'll match the dive to the season and to you.
Mirissa
1 November – 10 AprilSouth coast. Green turtles on the reef right off our centre, PADI courses that start in the pool, and guided fun dives — often with a turtle in the first few minutes.
Nilaveli
30 April – 15 OctoberEast coast. Coral gardens, blacktip reef sharks and some of the island's clearest water, with 3-, 5- and 10-dive packages when the season's on.
Diving in Sri Lanka — FAQ
No. If you've never dived, Discover Scuba Diving takes you underwater with an instructor — pool first, then the ocean — no certification. If you want a licence, the PADI Open Water course certifies you from scratch.
It depends on the coast. The south (Mirissa) and the east (Nilaveli) run on opposite seasons, so there's almost always one side that's diveable. Tell us your dates and we'll point you to the right coast.
Off Mirissa, almost certainly — green turtles feed on the reef right off our centre, often the first thing you see. Off Nilaveli it's coral, reef sharks and clear water.
Yes — the Bubble Maker is for ages 8–10, in shallow, supervised water.