Polhena Diving Center

Hikkaduwa & South Coast, Sri Lanka

The team at Polhena Diving Center are just lovely, the kind of crew who feel like old friends by your second dive. We’ve found they really shine when it comes to shore dives around the Matara area. Forget the usual boat trips; Polhena often takes you to quieter spots where you can just walk in, like the reef just off their centre. We love hitting those sites in the early morning, before the crowds, when the light plays through the water and you can spot all sorts of nudibranchs and small crabs tucked into the rocks. They’re a PADI 5 Star outfit, so if you’re thinking about getting certified or advancing your skills, they’re a solid choice. Our favourite thing about them is their commitment to smaller groups. You don’t feel like you’re just part of a conveyor belt, which is surprisingly common in some parts of Sri Lanka. Expect to be briefed thoroughly and dive at a relaxed pace. We’d suggest chatting with them about their local reef conservation efforts, too; they’re quite passionate about it and sometimes you can even get involved.