Polhena Diving Center - Hikkaduwa & South Coast

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.

Location
Hikkaduwa & South Coast, Sri Lanka, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
5.936672, 80.517850
Phone
+94 77 150 7859
Email
[email protected]
Website
http://www.polhenadiving.com
Certification Agencies
["PADI"]
Courses
PADI 5 Star Dive Resort [padi:26840]
Address
Beach Road, Uswatte Madiha,, Matara, 81000, Sri Lanka

Dive Sites Near Polhena Diving Center

Polhena Diving Center provides access to 15 dive sites in Hikkaduwa & South Coast.

Other Dive Centres in Hikkaduwa & South Coast

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.

Notable Marine Life

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