Diving Trincomalee and Nilaveli

Are you ready to take the plunge and explore the underwater world off Sri Lanka’s stunning east coast? Look no further than diving in Trincomalee and Nilaveli With crystal clear waters, vibrant coral reefs, and an array of colorful marine life, this hidden gem is a diver’s paradise. Join us as we dive into all that Nilaveli has to offer and discover why it should be on your bucket list for your next scuba adventure. It is an unforgettable experience. The clear blue waters, the beautiful coral reefs and the abundance of marine life make it a paradise for divers. There are many dive sites to choose from, so there is something for everyone.

The best time to dive in Trincomalee and Nilaveli is between April and October, when the water is at its clearest. Visibility can reach up to 30m. The average water temperature is 26°C, but it can drop to 20°C during the winter months.

There are many different types of diving available in Trincomalee. You can explore the shallow reef systems, go on a wreck dive, or even go cave diving. There are also plenty of options for beginner divers.

If you want to see some amazing marine life, then Trincomalee and Nilaveli is the place for you. There are over 100 species of corals and 500 species of fish that call this place home. You might even be lucky enough to spot a turtle or a whale Shark!

Padi Dive Courses in Trincomalee and Nilaveli

PADI Dive Courses are offered at our Nilaveli diving center for both beginner and experienced divers. Our certified PADI instructors will teach you everything you need to know to have a safe and enjoyable diving experience.

We offer a variety of PADI courses, from the Discover Scuba Diving program for beginners, to the Advanced Open Water course for those who want to extend their diving knowledge and skills. No matter what your level of experience, we have a course that is perfect for you.

If you are new to diving, we recommend starting with the Discover Scuba Diving program. This program is designed for people who have never dived before, and it will give you a taste of what scuba diving is all about. You will learn basic concepts about dive equipment and safety, and you will get to experience first-hand what it feels like to breathe underwater.

Once you have completed the Discover Scuba Diving program, you can move on to the Open Water Diver course. This course is the first step in getting your PADI certification, and it will give you the skills and knowledge you need to dive safely on your own.

If you are already an experienced diver, we recommend taking the Advanced Open Water course. This course builds on your existing knowledge and skills, and it will help you become a more confident and proficient diver. You will also get to try out new dive activities such as deep-water diving.

Dive For You PADI Dive Resort
Nilaveli Beach Hotel

11th Milepost,
Nilaveli,
Trincomalee,
Sri Lanka.

Call:
+94 91 308 0400 (Office)
+94 72 216 5400 (Dharshana)icons8-whatsapp
+94 71 353 4628 (Malinda)
+94 76 592 7525 (Udesh)

Dive Sites in Trincomalee and Nilaveli

Depth 10-12 metres. Boat travel time: 25 minutes.

A mysterious iron built ship, about 90 metres in length, that sank in shallow waters, now provides an established underwater habitat.

It has succumbed to quite a bit of damage and attracted treasure hunters due to its accessibility, however the bow, stern, and propeller can be easily identified. Very little is known about this wreck. Three anchors were found, but no records of the owners of the vessel were ever discovered.

The historical mystery of the wrecks has not deterred the local wildlife from making this wreck theirs. It is possible to see, amongst others, groupers, morays, octopus, trivially, bat fish, and anemone fish.

Depth 7-15 meters. Boat travel time: 10 minutes.

A highlight of the East Coast, Pigeon Island is one of only two marine National Parks in Sri Lanka, and is consequently one of the most famous dive sites in the area.

It offers a relaxing dive experience, in shallow waters, for all dive abilities. During the dive you may see moray eels, puffer fish, porcupine fish, nudibranchs, shrimp, lobsters, and many colourful schools of fish.

The surface interval can be spent on the island, relaxing in the shade of the trees. Or, as the island is fringed by a coral garden, it is the perfect time to grab your snorkel gear and hopefully see the local reef sharks and turtles that frequent the area.

Tip: as always be careful not to damage the delicate coral of this important habitat.

Depth 16-20 metres. Boat travel time: 55 minutes.

After serving in the 30 year war, 2 ships of the third Fast Gun Boat Squadron of the Sri Lankan Navy, Weeraya and Jagatha (translated to mean ‘hero’ and ‘conqueror’), now serve as artificial Reefs and exciting dive destinations.

Decommissioned and sank in 2020, these wrecks are now home to wrasse, grouper, snappers, and provide a safe haven for shoaling fish.

A great dive site of both wildlife and historical interest. And for those with suitable training, penetrating the wrecks is also possible, adding to the experience.

Tip: Check out the cannon barrels to try to spot the moral eels that have now taken up residence.

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Dive Sites and Wild Life

With qualification, one can then visit our deeper sites, caverns, rock outcrops, reef, and Ridges, as well as the shipwrecks that this area is famous for.   Well maintained and populated with several colorful specie of reef and rock dwellers, our sites abound with plant and corals. Pelagic specie, like Tuna, Mackerel, Bonito, trevally, and barracuda make their regular visits. The grouper with their attendant cleaner wrasse and Morays peering out inquisitively from homes, live in symbiosis with colourful shrimp. Parrot fish constantly patrol, and trigger fish dart over the rocks, while several species of surgeon fish are ever present. Banner fish escort the imperious Moorish idol, and the damsel, and butterfly fish, frolic amidst the Sea fans and black coral trees, while Angels keep a watchful eye. Mussels and tube worm covered, whip coral, snake up toward the sunlight, and in the caverns and crevices, crayfish and crab, and have their home. Seashells and mollusc, lie amidst Anemones, and their resident clownfish. Octopus clamber over the surrounding terrain, and cleaners maintain station in canyon and grotto. A variety of ray and skate,  glide silently past ,while shoals of Fusilier and sardine, swirl in sparkling synchronized  underwater ballets, and schools of sweet lip mullet, form welcoming committees, to greet the divers and accompany them in their exploration. Curious squid and the languid sea turtle, float weightlessly over the shimmering white coral sand, and add to the great kaleidoscope of subterranean life around our dive sites, and for the viewing pleasure of the recreational diver.

Safety

With safety our constant concern, we take the more advanced divers to the recommended limit of 40 meters, to deeper and more challenging sites. Formations of rock pillars reaching upward from the darker depths, with mammoth granite boulders cascading down precipitous ledges, forming caves, and grottos for the avid explorer, and are well inhabited with resident marine species. And for the lucky diver, a chance visit by the gentle giant of the ocean, the whale shark is always imminent.