Scuba diving and snorkelling in Sri Lanka
Explore the beautiful treasures of the Sri Lanka’s underwater world
Often referred to as the 'pearl in the Indian Ocean', Sri Lanka offers world-class spots for scuba-diving and snorkelling. A multitude of tropical fish, magnificently colourful coral reefs and fascinating shipwrecks can be explored at several locations off the south coast of Sri Lanka. Hikkaduwa, Weligama, and Kirinda provide breathtaking snorkelling and scuba diving opportunities.
On the west coast, head to the Bar Reef that is Sri Lanka's largest reef spanning an impressive 3 nautical miles in length and 1 nautical mile in breadth. The Bar Reef is easily accessible from Kalpitiya.
In the east, Pigeon Island, north of Trincomalee and off Nilaveli, is a piece of paradise with its turquoise waters.
The colourful fish and coral offer an ultimate underwater experience.
All underwater activities are conducted by well-trained and experienced UDI and PADI instructors to ensure your absolute safety and enjoyment.
Please note that, due to the monsoon seasons, diving and snorkeling at the west coast diving is at its best from November to April whilst the east coast waters are at their calmest from May to October.
Sunk 'RMS Rangoon' detected in sea off Galle
BY CHATURANGA SAMARAWICKRAMA
DAILY MIRROR 19.01.2018
RMS Rangoon, a steam-powered Royal Mail Ship which operated during the British Colonial period had been detected sunk in the Galle Port sea seven nautical miles away at 30 metres depth, the Education Ministry said yesterday.
"The Maritime Archaeology Unit (MM.') of the Central Cultural Fund (CCF) was able to identify the remaining parts of the vessel." it said. RMS Rangoon was believed to have been sunk in 1871. Mail steamer RMS Rangoon left Galle harbour with mail for Australia on November I. 1871 and it was sunk in the seas of the south-west of Galle lighthouse. All the mail had been lost, however, the passengers and the crew members had been saved. The MAU had discovered 20 boats and sail boats, sunk recently and more than 100 years ago following explorations carried out in the sea off Dehiwala in 2017, the Ministry said in the statement. -The discoveries were made under a special programme launched on the direction of Minister of Education Akila Viraj Kariyawasam under the Central Cultural Fund," the Ministry said in a statement.
"Among the exploration and reconstruction programmes implemented under the guidance of the Director General of the Central Cultural Fund, several maritime activities have been carried out in maritime archaeology. "Many of those were experimental vessels. They are detected at a depth of more than 25 meters and are made of metal. The vessels include large cargo vessels, steam ships, small and meditun-sized steam craft and powered barges.
"Further, the research was expected to be carried out with the help of modern scientific methods and instruments used in maritime archaeology. The project expects to inspect the large ships in the Unawatuna Tourist
Zone. exploring of smaller craft around them are being carried out wider operation called 'Iron Wreck 2'. "A large number of items and equipment had been found during the explorations. They have been placed at the Maritime Archaeological Museum at the Galle Fort."
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