Sri Lanka’s coastal waters conceal a vivid underwater world of coral gardens, tropical fish, sea turtles and historic shipwrecks that reward both surface snorkellers and certified scuba divers with exceptional encounters. The waters off Hikkaduwa, Pigeon Island near Trincomalee and the bays of Unawatuna and Pasikuda are among the most celebrated dive and snorkel sites on the island. Beginners can join guided snorkelling excursions in sheltered, shallow reefs where sea turtles are regular, unhurried companions, while experienced divers can explore deeper reef structures, swim-throughs and wrecks with certified PADI operators. The warm, clear waters of Sri Lanka make diving comfortable year-round, with the west and south coasts best from November to April and the east coast from May to September.