Weligama Bay Diving Centre - Hikkaduwa & South Coast
The team at Weligama Bay Diving Centre are some of the most genuinely friendly people we've met in Sri Lanka. Thaminda, the owner, has been diving these waters for decades, and it shows in his crew's local knowledge. We love diving with them because they’re all about relaxed, personalised service – none of that cattle-boat feeling you sometimes get in busier spots. If you're staying around Weligama, or even just passing through, this is our pick for a chill day of diving. They’re a PADI 5 Star Dive Resort, which means solid standards, but it’s their enthusiasm for the local sites that really makes them stand out. We’d suggest asking them about the Secret Reef. It's a bit of a local treasure, usually less crowded, where we've spent entire dives watching octopus moving across the sandy patches between coral bommies. Visibility can be a bit variable depending on the season – generally better from November to April – but even on cloudier days, the macro life here is fantastic. Keep an eye out for colourful nudibranchs clinging to the corals. The boat rides are short, which is always a bonus, and you'll often see local stilt fishermen at work as you head out. After the dive, they're great for a chat about the day’s sightings over a cup of tea.
- Location
- Hikkaduwa & South Coast, Sri Lanka, Indian Ocean & East Africa
- Coordinates
- 5.959784, 80.419710
- Phone
- +94 77 736 7447
- [email protected]
- Website
- http://www.scubadivingweligama.com/
- Certification Agencies
- ["PADI"]
- Courses
- PADI 5 Star Dive Resort [padi:24084]
- Address
- No 126 Kapparatota, Weligama , Sri Lanka, Weligama, Sri Lanka
Dive Sites Near Weligama Bay Diving Centre
Weligama Bay Diving Centre provides access to 15 dive sites in Hikkaduwa & South Coast.
- AENOS - 2m (wreck)
- ALSIA - 2m (wreck)
- ASCALON - 2m (wreck)
- ASTORIA - 18m (wreck)
- Avondster - 5M
- Barrakuda Point
- Black Coral Wreck - 40 M (wreck)
- Blue Water Dive Center
- Cargo Wreck - 20 metres/65 feet (wreck)
- CHIEF DRAGON - 33m (wreck)
- CHRYSSOPIGI CROSS - 10m (wreck)
- Crow Island - 10m (reef)
- Dakune Gala
- Diyamba Gala - 33m
- Eel Rock
Other Dive Centres in Hikkaduwa & South Coast
- Dive For You - ["PADI"]
- Divinguru Unawatuna - ["PADI"]
- Island Scuba - ["PADI"]
- Lanka Sportreizen - Marina, Bentota - ["PADI"]
- Pearl Divers - ["PADI"]
- Polhena Diving Center - ["PADI"]
- Poseidon Diving Center
- Submarine Diving School
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
- blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) - Whales & Dolphins
- Red lionfish (Pterois miles) - Reef Fish
- Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus) - Whales & Dolphins
- Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea)
- Orange-lined Triggerfish (Balistapus undulatus) - Reef Fish
- Species code: Hp (Halodule pinifolia) - Seagrass & Algae
- Giant trevally (Caranx ignobilis) - Reef Fish
- Barracuda (Acanthocybium solandri) - Reef Fish
- Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) - Reef Fish
- thalassia (Thalassia hemprichii) - Seagrass & Algae
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