Is There Good Snorkeling In Sri Lanka?

This article provides a list of the top snorkeling destinations in Sri Lanka, highlighting the unique features and appeal of each location. The top spots include Hikkaduwa, which is known for its water-centric atmosphere, and other popular destinations such as Passikudah, Kirinda, and Negombo. The Bentota is another popular destination, offering stunning underwater wonders with vibrant coral reefs, diverse marine life, and crystal-clear waters.

Some of the best snorkeling spots in Sri Lanka include Hikkaduwa, which boasts impressive coral reefs, Pasikudah, which offers pure blue waters, Kirinda, which offers swimming amid shipwrecks, and Mirissa, which offers clear waters. The best time to visit Sri Lanka for snorkeling is between November and April.

Some of the best snorkeling spots in Sri Lanka include Whale Watching in Mirissa, Whales Dolphins Watching in Trincomalee, Snorkeling at Pigeon Island Marine National Park, Devils Island, Pigeon Island, Nilaveli Parrot Rock Bar Reef, and Pasikudah Reef. Hikkaduwa National Park offers stunning coral reefs and marine animals, while Pigeon Island Marine National Park boasts amazing coral gardens with a rainbow of hues.

In summary, Sri Lanka offers a thrilling and adventurous journey for snorkeling enthusiasts, with some of the best spots being Hikkaduwa, Kirinda, and Mirissa.

Who should not snorkel?

People with serious medical conditions. Respiratory or cardiac issues can pose a certain risk when snorkelling. … Regular smokers. … Nervous snorkellers. … Obese or unfit people.

The great and wonderful thing about snorkelling is that almost anyone can take part in the leisurely activity. You can go as hard or as easy as you like, swimming out to explore faraway reefs or just hanging by the shore gazing at the sea life drifting by. You don’t need a license or fancy certification to hit the seas, but that doesn’t mean that anyone and everyone can jump into the ocean with a snorkel mask on and expect everything to go smoothly!

As much as we’d love snorkelling to be a completely risk-free sport that can be enjoyed by absolutely everyone, there are some limitations that mean certain people shouldn’t go snorkelling at certain times. If you’re wondering exactly who can snorkel and who shouldn’t go out snorkelling, we’ve got it all here. From important limitations and precautions to certain situations when you should stay on shore and avoid snorkelling, this is your guide to snorkelling safely.

Most healthy people can snorkel safely without being at risk of injury or accident. You don’t even have to know how to swim to be able to snorkel, you just need to know how to float! And luckily there are plenty of flotation devices out there to help you.

Where is the best snorkeling in the world?

9 Best Places to Snorkel in the WorldBaa Atoll, Maldives. Why it’s special: Swim with manta rays, whale sharks and sea turtles in a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. … Maui, Hawaii. … Koh Tao, Thailand. … Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. … Great Barrier Reef, Australia. … Nusa Lembongan, Indonesia. … Bora Bora, French Polynesia. … Punta Mita, Mexico.

There are few better ways to escape the daily grind than by snorkelling – effortlessly floating through tranquil waters, a kaleidoscope of vibrant fish and mesmerising sea creatures all around.

With up to 80 percent of all earthly life located in the seas, there’s no shortage of remarkable creatures to encounter. And memorable aquatic adventures can be had near shore with a mask, fins and snorkel. Snorkellers can experience the intense natural beauty of the underwater world without heavy equipment or time-consuming certification – which means no matter what your level of experience, the ocean’s beauty is within reach.

To help you make plans to swim with sea turtles or mingle with manta rays, we reveal our top nine places to snorkel in the world.

Is it safe to swim in Sri Lanka Ocean?

What beaches are swimmable in Sri Lanka during July, August and September?. From July to September, a lot of beaches along both the west and south coasts will be marked as unswimmable. This is largely due to the sea becoming rougher due to the effects of the monsoon. However, that’s not to say there are no opportunities to go swimming in the sea at all: some beaches will be open for swimming, though only if the weather on the day permits it. If you’re visiting the west and south coasts, there’s no guarantee that the beaches will be open for swimming; however, if you stick to the north and east coasts, you should be able to swim the vast majority of the time since these parts of the country don’t experience the effects of the monsoon. Visit the west and south coasts during August – of these three months it has the most favourable weather – for your best chance at finding a beach where you can swim in the sea. Tangalle, backed by lush countryside, is a top choice during August.

Where not to go in Sri Lanka during July, August and September. There’s no particular part of the country that you should avoid visiting in July through to September. If you’re looking to go swimming in the sea, you may want to stick to the north and east coasts, where you’ll rarely find beaches closed off due to bad weather. In all, these few months are among the best for visiting Sri Lanka, though if there’s a time not to visit, it’s late September – choose August instead. This is because the second half of September sees the weather turn inclement due to the country’s second annual monsoon season starting.

October to December – Monsoon Season In the Northeast. The monsoon from the North East affects the whole of Sri Lanka with often heavy rain, albeit rather unpredictable in timing and intensity. It’s the least popular time for visiting Sri Lanka. However, after the monsoons have receded in December, it can actually be a pleasant time of year to visit with sparkling green scenery.

Is Sri Lanka good for swimming?

What beaches are swimmable in Sri Lanka between January and April?. You should find that pretty much every beach is swimmable from January to April. The hot temperatures and dry winds make these months the best time of the year to enjoy beach holidays. April in particular is very good for trips to the beach as the weather is at its peak and the days are sunny, hot and long. Along the south coast, the all-round, tourist friendly Unawatuna is a top choice, whereas Mirissa is particularly good at this time of year for whale watching.

Where not to go in Sri Lanka between January and April. Those with an aversion to particularly high temperatures may want to avoid visiting the Cultural Triangle during April. This is because temperatures there can reach as high as the mid-30°C’s. Those looking to climb Sigiriya Rock may want to avoid doing so during April, again because of the potentially high temperatures. From January to March, there’s really nowhere in particular that you should avoid going, since the weather is both pleasant and bearable throughout the whole country.

May to June – Monsoon Season In the Southwest. The southwest of Sri Lanka, including Colombo, Galle and Tangalle, experiences monsoon season during these months. It’s not as severe as the name suggests, as rainfall tends to be short and heavy and passes through quickly.

Are there sharks off the coast of Sri Lanka?

Among the marine fishes, sharks and batoids (rays and skates) form a considerable diversity. A preliminary checklist of sharks around Sri Lanka was compiled by marine biologist, ornithologist, astronomer and well known diver Rex I. De Silva in 1985. It is cited as the first most comprehensive catalogue to Sri Lankan cartilage fishes. On 2016 May, he published the Illustrated Guide of Sharks of Sri Lanka. According to De Silva, there are 60 sharks species and 30 rays and skates found around the coast of Sri Lanka.

Sharks are a group of fish characterized by a cartilaginous skeleton, five to seven gill slits on the sides of the head, and pectoral fins that are not fused to the head. Modern sharks are classified within the clade Selachimorpha (or Selachii) and are the sister group to the rays.

The following list of shark species recorded from the territorial waters of Sri Lanka.

Batoidea is a superorder of cartilaginous fish commonly known as batoids or rays, but it also includes the skates and sawfishes. Approximately 560 species are described in thirteen families. Batoids are in the fish subclass Elasmobranchii along with sharks, as they are closely related. Rays are distinguished by their flattened bodies, enlarged pectoral fins that are fused to the head, and gill slits that are placed on their ventral surfaces.

Which is the best month to visit Sri Lanka?

When is the best time to visit Sri Lanka?. The best time to visit Sri Lanka is from December to April. However, climate can play a major part in deciding your visiting time, especially taking into consideration its very active monsoon seasons. There are two distinct monsoons that hit the country at different times of the year and in different regions. This is a blessing for tourists, as when one part of the country is being battered by rains, another remains dry, making Sri Lanka a great place to visit all year round.

From one perspective, the best time to travel to Sri Lanka differs from region to region. The Cultural Triangle witnesses rain in November and December, while the northern and eastern parts don’t see a speck of rain between May and September. The southern and western coasts remain dry between December and April. So it doesn’t matter which part of the year you plan your trip; you will still be able to take in some of Sri Lanka and its charms as long as you take the weather into account.

When is the best season to visit Sri Lanka?. The best season to visit Sri Lanka is its peak season, which is between December to April, as the nation is buzzing with activity. Here’s an overview of the island nation’s tourist seasons.

Is it safe to swim in Sri Lanka sharks?

16. Give wildlife space. In 2017, a British journalist died after being snatched by a crocodile at a lagoon nearArugam Bay. Such attacks are rare, but they happen so be vigilant in rivers and lagoons. Dangerous sharks are not a problem in Sri Lanka, but poisonous snakes are found in waterlogged areas on land such as paddy fields.

Keep a keen lookout for elephants on roads leading to national parks or when walking or driving in the hills. If you see one, keep your distance and be ready to back away. Never feed a wild elephant – this habituates elephants to associate humans with food and act aggressively.

17. Take standard safety precautions. Sri Lanka is one of the safest countries in Asia when it comes to petty crime. Violence against tourists is very rare, and theft and robberies are uncommon, though they do happen occasionally. As a precaution, wear a money belt and use your hotel safe.

Is snorkeling safer than diving?

Which is safer: snorkeling or scuba diving?. Snorkeling is generally considered safer than scuba diving simply because you’re on the surface of the water and breathing ordinary air. With proper training and practice, scuba diving is also extremely safe.

Which is more expensive: snorkeling or scuba diving?. Because scuba diving requires specialist gear and training, it is significantly more expensive than snorkeling. Most diving experiences also require a guide in the area and you may want additional medical insurance if you’ll be diving frequently.

Stay Afloat or Dive Deeper. Many of the top tourist destinations in the world have one thing in common: an underwater experience.

Is it worth diving in Sri Lanka?

Bathed in warm Indian Ocean currents, and with 1600 km of palm-fringed coastline, Sri Lanka is an amazing dive destination. The waters of Sri Lanka are home to an incredible range of marine creatures from massive blue whales all the way through to tiny nudibranch.

Sri Lanka has an abundance of great sites to discover including wrecks scattered off the coast – local divers are still discovering new ones. Many of the wrecks are covered in marine life, soft corals, macro critters and large aggregations of schooling fish.

Above the surface, Sri Lanka also boasts wildlife reserves, which protect native species such as leopards, porcupines and anteaters. It is also famous for unique foods and teas, which should be sampled as part of any dive trip.

Does Sri Lanka have good snorkeling?

If you’re a snorkeling enthusiast looking for an unforgettable experience, Sri Lanka should be at the top of your list. With its crystal-clear waters, vibrant coral reefs, and diverse marine life, this tropical paradise offers some of the best snorkeling spots in the world. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced snorkeler, there’s something for everyone in Sri Lanka. So grab your snorkel gear and get ready to dive into the wonders that await you beneath the surface!

Top Snorkeling Spots in Sri Lanka. If you’re wondering where to start your snorkeling adventure in Sri Lanka, we’ve got you covered. Here are some of the top snorkeling spots you should definitely check out:

• Mirissa: Located on the southern coast, Mirissa is known for its pristine beaches and vibrant marine life. Grab your snorkel and explore the coral reefs teeming with colorful fish.
• Hikkaduwa: Situated on the west coast, Hikkaduwa is a popular tourist destination famous for its marine sanctuary. Dive into its turquoise waters and swim alongside turtles and a variety of tropical fish.
• Pigeon Island: Located off the coast of Nilaveli, Pigeon Island is a protected marine park known for its coral gardens and diverse marine ecosystem. It’s a snorkeler’s paradise!
• Trincomalee: Nestled on the east coast, Trincomalee boasts stunning white sand beaches and incredible underwater scenery. Explore the shallow reefs and be amazed by the colorful coral formations.

Are there manta rays in Sri Lanka?

The species found in the Sri Lankan territorial waters is the giant oceanic manta ray (mobula birostris) which is now globally ‘endangered’, Mr.

Sri Lanka holds the dubious record of killing the most mantas and devil rays compared with all global and large industrial purse seine fisheries combined.

A survey of local fish markets from 2005 to 2020 also has revealed that this level of manta fishing is not sustainable.

According to the Manta Trust, manta and devil rays, known collectively as Mobulids, are some of the most beautiful, fascinating, and enigmatic creatures in the tropical oceans. These fish are close relatives of sharks and have a diet of plankton that they filter to feed while on the move.