Diving in Hikkaduwa & South Coast

Explore 64 dive sites in Hikkaduwa & South Coast, Sri Lanka. Ocean conditions, marine species, and dive centres.

Best Time to Dive in Hikkaduwa & South Coast

The warmest water temperatures in Hikkaduwa & South Coast occur in January, averaging 28.4°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 28.4°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 28.4°C (air: 25.8°C)
  • February: 28.4°C (air: 26.4°C)
  • March: 28.4°C (air: 27.1°C)
  • April: 28.4°C (air: 27.4°C)
  • May: 28.4°C (air: 27.4°C)
  • June: 28.4°C (air: 27.2°C)
  • July: 28.4°C (air: 27.0°C)
  • August: 28.4°C (air: 26.8°C)
  • September: 28.4°C (air: 26.6°C)
  • October: 28.4°C (air: 26.4°C)
  • November: 28.4°C (air: 25.9°C)
  • December: 28.4°C (air: 25.9°C)

Marine Life in Hikkaduwa & South Coast

Home to 95 recorded species including 65 reef fish, 6 whales & dolphins, 6 hard corals, 5 sea snails & nudibranchs, 3 other, 2 seagrass & algae.

Dive Site Difficulty in Hikkaduwa & South Coast

Hikkaduwa & South Coast has 1 beginner, 1 intermediate dive sites - suitable for divers of all levels.

Recommended Packing List for Hikkaduwa & South Coast

Based on average water temperature of 28.4°C.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 28°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories

Marine Protected Areas in Hikkaduwa & South Coast

  • Bundala NP - National Park (IUCN Category II)
  • Bundala - UNESCO-MAB Biosphere Reserve (IUCN Category Not Applicable)
  • Muthurajawela - Sanctuary (IUCN Category IV)
  • Rocky Islets ( A - Sanctuary (IUCN Category IV)
  • Hikkaduwa NP - National Park (IUCN Category II)
  • Rumassala SAN - Sanctuary (IUCN Category IV)
  • Godawaya - Sanctuary (IUCN Category IV)
  • Great Basses and Little Basses Marine Sanctuary - Sanctuary (IUCN Category IV)
  • Rekawa - Sanctuary (IUCN Category IV)
  • Ussangoda NP - National Park (IUCN Category II)

Getting to Hikkaduwa & South Coast - Nearest Airports

  • Colombo Ratmalana International Airport (RML), Colombo - 46 km away, approx 65 min travel time
  • Bandaranaike International Colombo Airport (CMB), Colombo - 83 km away, approx 106 min travel time
  • Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (HRI), Mattala - 117 km away, approx 142 min travel time

Dive Sites

Dive Centres