Diving & Snorekling Tours in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka being an island nation, and the fact that it lies in a central location as far as the ancient trade routes were concerned, is littered so to speak of wrecks from many different era’s. The tireless wonderers of lands of the ancient, Ibn Battuta and Fa-Hsien have recorded their arrivals to the island via ship. The oldest of such known wreck is from “Godawaya” (close to current sea port Hambantota), a wooden ship dated to be over 2,000 years old by way of potsherds and intact pots found on site, an important transit trading port in ancient silk route where silk, spices and handicrafts were exchanged between the East and West.
Under Water Diving & Snorkeling Tours Hikkaduwa Sri Lanka
In 1940, the Hikkaduwa Rocky Islets were declared sanctuaries and was limited to the land boundaries of these rocky islets. In 1998 it was upgraded to the status of a nature reserve and later to a national park. The famed Coral Gardens and Telwatte Bird Sanctuary are the main attractions of Hikkaduwe which lies 98km from Colombo.
Foreign and local tourist come to see the famous “coral gardens” of Hikkaduwe, for the tourist who doesn’t like to get their feet wet glass bottom boats are available while others snorkel to reach them which are filled with brightly coloured corals and marine life.
Under Water Diving & Snorkeling Tours Trincomalee Sri Lanka
One of the finest natural deepwater harbours in the world, located in the eastern seaboard of Sri Lanka approximately 245km from Colombo. There is an account of “Gokanna”, as it was known during the Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa period, attracting great sea fares in the calibre Marco Polo and Ptolemy. The empire building British fortified it with fort Fredrick, which stands guard to this day with cannons intact, the approach of the natural harbour the other is the small Dutch fort both stand together. Famous swami rock (lovers leap) is inside the fort where one could dive into the deep water off a cliff next to one of the “Koneswaran” one of the oldest Hindu kovils on the Island. Most of the beaches in the area are wide and the water is crystal clear and one place not to miss is the marble beach, best you use the selections of hotels that will give you a bird’s eye view of the China bay.
Under Water Diving & Snorkeling Tours Kalpitiya Sri Lanka
Lesser known than Hikkaduwa or the Beruwela Barbryn reef but biggest of the three, Kalpitiya bar reef sanctuary is a pristine system of coral reefs just off shore of the Kalpitiya peninsula. The reef was declared a sanctuary in 1992 and covers an approximate area of 306sq.km.
Home to over 156 species of coral and 283 species of fish with greater biodiversity than any other found around Indian Ocean. Lying about an hour’s boat ride from the Kalpitiya town, known hotspot for reef sharks, manta rays and occasionally turtles, in our opinion a week’s holiday here of snorkelling and diving will barely scratch the surface of what’s on offer. The waters are crystal clear and depth is from 2 to 8 meters while further out it can increase up to 40m.
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