sea horse - Hikkaduwa & South Coast
The sea horse site in Hikkaduwa is one of those places that delivers exactly what its name promises, sometimes. We’ve had dives here where we've spotted several, shyly peeking from the seagrass, their tails wrapped tight. Other days, you’re just enjoying the gently sloping sandy bottom and the occasional rock cod. It’s a pretty relaxed dive, often with minimal current, making it a good choice for newer divers or anyone wanting a chilled-out afternoon with a chance of finding something special amongst the Pacific Gregory and Striped Triplefins.
- Location
- Hikkaduwa & South Coast, Sri Lanka, Indian Ocean & East Africa
- Coordinates
- 6.009656, 80.249930
Marine Protected Area: Rumassala SAN
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)
Nearby 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
Nearest Dive Centres to sea horse
- Dive For You - ["PADI"]
- Divinguru Unawatuna - ["PADI"]
- Island Scuba - ["PADI"]
- Lanka Sportreizen - Marina, Bentota - ["PADI"]
- Pearl Divers - ["PADI"]
- Polhena Diving Center - ["PADI"]
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 Species
- 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
- Black-headed Leatherjacket (Pervagor melanocephalus) - Reef Fish
- Narrow-barred Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson) - Reef Fish
- Black-lined Blenny (Istiblennius lineatus) - Reef Fish
- Indian Ocean bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus) - Whales & Dolphins
- Honeycomb Filefish (Cantherhines pardalis) - Reef Fish
- Sand-dusted Cone (Conus arenatus) - Sea Snails & Nudibranchs
- marbled spiny eel (Mastacembelus armatus) - Reef Fish
- Striped Triplefin (Helcogramma striata) - Reef Fish
- Staghorn coral (Acropora hyacinthus) - Hard Corals
- Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas)
Recommended Packing List for sea horse
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