Conveniently rostered monsoons ensure that one half of the island's coastal waters are always in season for all aquatic pursuits - the west coast from December to March and the north and east coasts from March to September; July and October are best avoided. Underwater visibility in season is good and ranges from 50 to 100 feet. Diving & snorkelling in Sri Lanka
A wide coral shelf surrounds Sri Lanka's coast at intervals, from north to south, providing excellent sites for diving and snorkelling. There are 138 species of coral recorded for Sri Lanka. These coral reefs, gorgeously coloured and fantastically shaped, harbour marvellously beautiful tropical fish. Among the most spectacular are the Emperor Angel Fish, the Moorish Idol, the dainty Powder-blue Sturgeon, Sergeant-Major, Lion, Unicorn, Parrot, Clown, Porcupine, and Striped Damsel.
Some of the best dive sites are Ambalangoda, Hikkaduwa, Gintota, Galle, Unawaturn, Weligama, Kudawell, Mahawella, Dickwella, Tangalle and the famed Great and Little Basses (best in March and April)
On the south and south-east coast; Arippu, Silavatural, Kandakuliya. and the Bar-reef. On the north-west coast the Bar-reef
On the western sea-board - Negombo and Beruwela-Bentota.
Sri Lanka's east coast has exceptional underwater sites at Kalmunai, Kattankudy, Batticaloa, Tirrukovil, Punnakudah, Kalkudah, Passekudah, Vakkarai and Pigeion Island.
Apart from the coral, fish and shells the reefs and sea-beds off-shore from Sri Lanka offer another exciting attraction for skilled divers, underwater archaeologists and photographers; shipwrecks! Sri Lanka has lots of them both ancient (1703) and modern (1942). The main attraction of the wrecks, apart from the possibility of discovering buried treasure is the abundance of marine life, sometimes so thick, you can't see 5 feet ahead.
