Explore underwater formations, marine life and shipwrecks with qualified operators.

CategoryCoastal
Featured places5
Generally bestMay to September
Famous destinations

Where to go — our favourite places for this experience, ready to fit into a route that suits your dates and pace.

  1. 01

    Trincomalee

    Trincomalee is a harbour city on the northeast coast, with the Koneswaram headland, Fort Fredrick and beaches around its bay.

  2. 02

    Nilaveli

    Nilaveli is a beach settlement north of Trincomalee, with access to Pigeon Island when sea and park conditions allow.

  3. 03

    Batticaloa

    Batticaloa occupies islands and shores beside its east-coast lagoon, with bridges, a historic fort and nearby beaches.

  4. 04

    Kalpitiya

    Kalpitiya lies between the Indian Ocean and Puttalam Lagoon, with fishing settlements, lagoon landscapes and seasonal water-based activities.

  5. 05

    Great Basses Reef

    Great Basses Reef lies offshore from Sri Lanka's southeast coast, marked by a lighthouse and known for specialist diving conditions.

Good to know

East and North Coast: generally May to September.

These are broad seasonal guides, not guarantees. October and November can be unsettled across parts of the island, and Kalpitiya, the north coast and offshore reefs can follow their own conditions. Swimming, surfing, diving and boat trips always depend on local safety advice, and marine sightings are never guaranteed.

From the first idea to the final detail, we design Sri Lankan journeys you'll remember forever.