A wonderland of Reefs & Wrecks

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he waters of Sri Lanka- salt water, brackish & fresh are as rich in undersea life as any in the world. Equipped with only a face mask, a person can dive in bracing clear green rivers in the wet forest. He can explore tidal lagoons where the crystal sea of the East-Coast floes up estuaries & reveals & new world of mangroves, oyster- covered rocks & large edible crabs.

But it is the blue water if the Indian Ocean that are Sri Lanka’s premier diving attraction. Coral reefs & off shore ship- wrecks harbor a new world of breathtaking clarity. There are sensational fish and sand- stone formations in the great & little basses reefs. And a foray off Negombo will bring about close encounters with sizeable & exciting game fishes.

It is important to know that the best times of the year to visit these spots, as clarity of surrounding waters changes periodically according to monsoon season & other prevailing weather conditions. A rewarding diving expedition to Sri Lanka needs careful timing, patient and understanding. Bu the end result, whether you are photographing, collecting, fishing or just experiencing, is well worth it.

A tour of the island

Starting from Negombo, the closest town to the international airport, we will travel counter clock wise along the coast, exploring diving spots en route. Negombo, from November till March, offers surprisingly good diving. Do not expect continuous clear water every day of the five months. The strong currents, heavy rainfall, and the nearby presence of a lagoon rich in silt and plankton, cause periodic turbidity. But this contributes to the fact that Negombo offers the finest seafood in the country. The young & energetic often spear barracudas, queen fish, caran x or hefty estuary perch without breathing gear. Lobster- grabbing can be done by night with a flashlight & strong gloves. Fir the camera, seek waters further out if the reefs are not clear enough. But if the preference is for close- up, there are a few hundred subjects to click on the reef itself.

A few miles down the coast near Kapungoada (about two hours away by speedboat) there are two shallow ship wrecks which are treasure troves of invertebrates, lobster & snappers. You may troll a line for that occasional hungry barracuda, to small (in this region) to be dangerous to human beings. A 25 pounder is considered a very big fish & he will hit a bait quits obligingly, especially in the evening.

Colombo was the very first dive site when face masks, snorkels and flippers came to Sri Lanka’s shores in the pre-world war two days. It is quite changed now, in every way. Good diving is now out at sea where the strong currents bring in clear water. Excellent spots for diving & hunting are a reef off south Colombo, where migrant schools of queen fish, caranx, barracuda & Spanish mackerel swim & another reef more than a mile offshore, where some exciting (and perfect harmless) gray sharks show up occasionally

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 dive off the famous Mount Lavinia beach (only on the calmest days, though) will bring you face to face with a variety of photogenic fishes, the loveliest & commonest bring the blue ring angels. Further south id Beruwala, the rocky island off the Bentota hotel complex is quite an interesting dive spot with large parrot fish, snappers & other reef dwellers.

For a dive that is different, have yourself taken inland to a place called Badureliva, then to at Weltota where you can explore a lovely jungle rock pool with clear green waters, sunken long rocks, aquatic plants & some lovely little tropical freshwater fishes. Not to mention the fine rain forest around you, gentle friendly people, and an atmosphere far removed from that of a beach hotel.

Back of the coast, further south is Ambalangoda. At most times of the year, it is not absolutely clear because of a creek mouth close by. But there are some really good calm days in January & February. You will pass a headland with fringing coral reef & sea breakers about a half mile or so sea wards at Akurala, which offers splendid rock & reef diving, two ship wrecks & an abundance of fishes.

Hikkaduwa, the famous diving center of the south west coast, has unfortunately been “over dived” the fishes are nervous & confused. Using Hikkaduwa as a base, instead dive Dodanduwa further south & the marvelous rocky reefs off Gintota, Medagala & Ralagala, perhaps the greatest diving on the west coast. Medagala is not easily found, though, as the highest point does not break in calm weather. Although much can be seen & enjoyed with a snorkel, tank diving to the Malabar ship wreck, 60 to 802 feet deep on a rock reef is a welcome adventure to those who are keen underwater photographers.

Galle harbor is the perfect take-off point to enjoy some fine diving north at Alugala, which provides a new wreck to explore. Diving off the Koggala coast is not recommended unless you are a strong swimmer. But Weligama & its surroundings can be excellent. These are several rock & coral reefs to explore, especially off Mirissa with its teeming fishermen & boats.

Matara a few miles from the southern- most tip of Sri Lanka at Dondara, Provides diving only in February and march  when drought can make the nearby Nilwala river less turbid, enabling you to see some fine fish over the reef. Tangalle, which is beautifully located, has fine diving; but too offer the sea gets over lively. One of the better spot is kupatha, a small rocky islet visible from the Tangalle rest hoose, haunted by huge schools of parrot fidh, sweetlip & snappers.

continuous clear water every day of the five months. The strong currents, heavy rainfall, and the nearby presence of a lagoon rich in silt and plankton, cause periodic turbidity. But this contributes to the fact that Negombo offers the finest seafood in the country. The young & energetic often spear barracudas, queen fish, caran x or hefty estuary perch without breathing gear. Lobster- grabbing can be done by night with a flashlight & strong gloves. Fir the camera, seek waters further out if the reefs are not clear enough. But if the preference is for close- up, there are a few hundred subjects to click on the reef itself.

A few miles down the coast near Kapungoada (about two hours away by speedboat) there are two shallow ship wrecks which are treasure troves of invertebrates, lobster & snappers. You may troll a line for that occasional hungry barracuda, to small (in this region) to be dangerous to human beings. A 25 pounder is considered a very big fish & he will hit a bait quits obligingly, especially in the evening.

Colombo was the very first dive site when face masks, snorkels and flippers came to Sri Lanka’s shores in the pre-world war two days. It is quite changed now, in every way. Good diving is now out at sea where the strong currents bring in clear water. Excellent spots for diving & hunting are a reef off south Colombo, where migrant schools of queen fish, caranx, barracuda & Spanish mackerel swim & another reef more than a mile offshore, where some exciting (and perfect harmless) gray sharks show up occasionally

Seenigama Devalaya , සීනිගම දේවාලය

The Seenigama Temple, Halle is a popular name among the Hikkaduwa Tourist Attractions. The Seenigama Temple, Hikkaduwa is known as the Seenigama Devalaya in the colloquialSinhalese. As is evident, Devalaya is the term for temple. The Seenigama Temple inHikkaduwa is situated on the coast of the sea, beyond the 96 km post on the Colombo Gallehighway. Thought to be over a millennia old, the Hikkaduwa Seenigama Temple is approximately 1300 ears old. However, there is no evidence to provide evidence to this speculation. Whatever historical records have been exhumed, structural evidence states that the Seenigama Temple is above 300 years old. 

 

The Seenigama Temple, Hikkaduwa is a testimony both of the historical as well as cultural facet of Galle in Sri Lanka. If you are keen on exploring the conventions of temple worship and knowing all about the temple traditions of Galle, the SeenigamaTemple or Seenigama Devalaya is a must visit. The sanctuary is also known as the Seenigama Devol Temple, owing to its patron deity, Devol. Devol is a god of the Buddhist pantheon. The Devol Deviyo or Devol culture is prevalent among theSinhalese and continues to be the most accepted of all forms of worship by the fisher folk in the southern and western lowlands. Devol ceremonies are prominent and often practiced along the coastal areas. Some also guarantee the success of fishing. 

 

The Seenigama Temple, Galle is extremely sacred as it is believed that the deity resolves the problems of human beings. The shrine of the god on the shore was recently constructed. The land on which the Seenigama Temple, Galle was originally located is now an island and can be approached only by boat. The island itself is small with a deep freshwater well.

Whale & Dolphin Watching In Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is becoming a major spot for watching Whales and Dolphins. Dondra Point of down south in Sri Lanka is the main port of Whale Watching in Sri Lanka during December to April. Out of these months December, January and April are the peak months of sightings. During these months there is 95% chances of spotting Sperm Whales and great chances of spotting Blue Whales as their migration path is just off Dondra Point. We are able to arrange Whale Watching Trips off Dondra Point in a fully insured trawler boat which will last for 3 hours. Also there are good chances of spotting Spinner Dolphins also off Dondra. Ample of accommodation options are available as Dondra point can be reach easily from Hikkaduwa, Galle, Unawatuna, Weligama, Mirissa and Tangalle which are popular beach locations in Sri Lanka. Mirissa is the closest point to Dondra Point with good accommodation options.

Hikkaduwa Turtle Farm & Hatchery

The turtles are one of the rare species found in the world. As far as turtles concerned, they are the top on the endangered list all around the world. There are all together seven turtle species have listed up to now, such as green turtle, hawks bill turtle, Oliver twist turtle, leather back turtle, Kemp’s idly, and flat back. But five of these are presenting in Sri Lanka coastal area.

Now a day’s so many turtle hatcheries are mushrooming along the southern coastal belt. They are doing a great favor to increase the capacity of this giants descending from Jurassic period.

The turtles get together in certain areas of the ocean annually to mate. After mating the female turtles come to the sea shore to lay their eggs. They are supposed to lay eggs after they attain the age of about 30 years. They are said to lay their eggs on the sea shore at night. It is said that these turtles prefer to lay their eggs on the same beach they were born. They are supposed to lay about 120 eggs at a time.

Their eggs are white and they are similar to Ping-Pong balls. The eggs are kept damp by the female turtle by emitting a juice to cover the eggs. After laying eggs these turtles go back to the ocean. They keep no connection with the eggs or their new born kids. The eggs are hatched with the help of the warm sand heated by the rays of the sun.

After a hatching of nearly 60 days these tiny ones are making their own way right direct to the deep blue sea. This time they may get the dangerous attractions from birds, crabs and fish. Few of them will survive for breed their posterity. Humans are the main threaten for them. To avoid these circumstances social services have started to protect them in hatcheries.

They buy eggs from villagers and they spend whole nights when the nesting season starts for turtles on the beach to find eggs. The baby turtles hatch after 48 days if they can get lots of sun shine where it is raining take up to 60 days before the turtles emerge from the eggs. They are then placed in the tanks and for first 3 days remain without food to cleanse them of material ingested form the eggshell.

Hatchery holders feed them with tiny fish two times each day. In this time they are learning to dive down into the tank to take the food. After they can be safely released into the sea where they can fish for themselves on the coral reefs. Turtles are frequently injured at sea as many of them get caught in fishing nets. After three months of time they release them in to the sea.

Peraliya in Telwatta Hikkaduwa and Kosgoda area is famous for turtle hatcheries. All the five species are displaying in these places. They may charge a little amount for the maintenances of the turtles. Well, no need to think twice to look them on your necked eyes as really as in the deep blue sea.