Bursting with colour and life, coral reefs have the capacity to delight and mesmerise in equal measure. Resembling vibrant underwater cities, there are many locations with fabulous reefs and for many, they are the highlight of any dive or snorkelling experience.

The most diverse coral reefs on planet earth are found in the Asia Pacific region in an area known as the Coral Triangle. In addition to their beauty, coral reefs and a precious resource and need continued efforts to protect them from the pressures of the modern world. Reef diving in Unawatuna is home to schools of tropical fish, sting rays, moray eels and turtles. Remember to check out Aluth Gala, Galapita Gala & Napoleon reef if you plan to visit Unawatuna.

For scuba diving enthusiasts, Sri Lanka is a veritable paradise, with crystal-clear waters and an abundance of marine life. But the real draw for many divers is the country’s shipwrecks. Unawatuna and Hikkaduwa are two of the most popular wreck diving sites in Sri Lanka, with a variety of wrecks to explore, including the HMS Hermes, which was sunk by the Japanese during World War II. But you don’t need to be a history buff to enjoy wreck diving; the wrecks are also home to a wide array of fish and other sea creatures. PADI certified divers can book a tour with one of the many dive shops in Unawatuna or Hikkaduwa, and non-certified divers can take a beginner’s course. So whether you’re a seasoned diver or just getting started, wreck diving in Sri Lanka is an experience you won’t want to miss.

Video link: Wreck dive

PRICE – 45 $

INCLUDED

• Boat Ride
• Dive Briefing
• Refreshments 
• Changing Rooms

The PADI Discover Scuba Diving programme is a short try-diving experience for adults and children aged 10 years and older. This introduces you to the basics of diving. The ‘DSD’ is usually a one-day or half-day activity, so it’s a great option if you’ve been thinking about trying SCUBA for a while but don’t have much time while you’re on holiday. It’s also perfect for building up confidence in the water before jumping straight into a full course.

Unawatuna and Hikkaduwa offer some of the best diving spots in Sri Lanka. With a PADI discovery dive, you can explore the underwater world and see a variety of fish and coral. The discovery dive is a great way to learn about diving and see if it’s something you’re interested in. Sri Lanka is a beautiful country with a rich culture and history. Diving is a great way to see the country from a different perspective and learn more about its natural wonders.

PRICE – 65 $

INCLUDED

• Boat Ride
• Lesson Equipment
• Refreshments 
• Changing Rooms

PADI® Open Water Diver is the first scuba certification level. A highly-trained PADI Instructor will teach you how to scuba dive in a relaxed, supportive learning environment.

Unawatuna and Hikkaduwa are two of the most popular tourist destinations in Sri Lanka. They are also home to some of the best diving spots in the country. If you’re looking to explore the underwater world, Unawatuna is the perfect place to start. The PADI Open Water Course will give you the chance to discover the amazing marine life that Sri Lanka has to offer. Throughout the course, you’ll be able to complete four dives, allowing you to get a taste of what it’s like to dive in Unawatuna. Once you’ve completed the course, you’ll be certified as a PADI Open Water Diver, and you’ll be able to dive anywhere in the world. So what are you waiting for? Enroll today and start your underwater adventure!

Read more: https://www.padi.com/courses/open-water-diver

PRICE – 320 $

INCLUDED

• 4 Dives
• Lessons
• Exams 
• License
• Refreshment

The Advanced Open Water Diver course is all about advancing your skills. You’ll practice navigation and buoyancy, try deep diving and make three specialty dives of your choosing (it’s like a specialty sampler platter). For every specialty dive you complete, you can earn credit toward PADI® specialty certifications. And best of all, you can complete the course in just three days. 

No matter if you are a beginner or an experienced diver, the PADI Advance Open Water course is the perfect way to improve your skills and explore new dive sites. The course includes five dives, each with a different focus such as navigation, deep diving or fish identification. One of the highlights is the discovery dive, where you get to try out different types of diving such as night diving or wreck diving. Sri Lanka is the perfect place to take the Advance Open Water course, with world-class diving sites like Unawatuna and Hikkaduwa. So why not sign up today and start your underwater adventure?

Here are a few of the many options: Deep, Digital Underwater Photography, Dive Against Debris, Dry Suit, Enriched Air Nitrox, Fish Identification, Night, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Search & Recovery, Underwater Naturalist, Underwater Navigation, and Wreck Diver.

Read more: https://www.padi.com/courses/advanced-open-water

PRICE – 320 $

INCLUDED

• 5 Dives
• Lessons
• License
• Refreshments