Polhena Reef
1–3metres
A shallow lagoon behind the outer reef, home to green and hawksbill turtles all year. We snorkel here or at Madiha Beach, from the shore, whichever is clearer that day.
Good for: Snorkeling
Polhena DivingPADI 5 Star Dive ResortDive sites · Mirissa, Weligama, Matara, Tangalle
Dive sites off the south coast
A lagoon reef for snorkeling, reefs and rock walls off Mirissa, a limestone reef and a wreck toward Tangalle. We choose the site each morning by sea conditions and who is diving.
Where we go
Five places to get in the water
Snorkeling is from the beach. Scuba is by boat.
Moray Point
6–15metres
Our gentlest boat site, with moray eels, reef fish and the odd turtle. Most first dives happen here.
Good for: Try dives, Open Water, fun dives
Rock Wall
to 22metres
A rocky ridge dropping to 22 m, with schools of fish along the wall.
Good for: Fun dives, Advanced
Limestone ReefRarely available
to 23metres
Striking limestone formations with some coral, swim-throughs, seagrass and sandy patches. On a good day it is a beautiful dive, but conditions only allow it now and then.
Good for: Advanced divers, on rare calm days
Wombat WreckDecember to February
to 23metres
A wreck at about 23 m and our longest boat trip. We go in the high season (December to February) on good-weather days, leaving at 6:30 am, with a rocky reef dive on the way back.
Good for: Advanced divers, peak season
Our waters
Mirissa, Weligama, Matara and Tangalle
Polhena and Madiha
Our home beaches. We snorkel from the shore at whichever is clearer that day.
Off Mirissa and Weligama
Moray Point, Rock Wall and other boat sites for try dives, courses and fun dives, usually 15 to 20 minutes by boat.
Off Matara
Sometimes our boat dives here, depending on conditions.
Toward Tangalle
The Wombat Wreck is our longest trip, about 45 minutes each way by boat, in the high season.
When to come
The season at a glance
When we're open
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
High season: calmest, clearest waterLow season: open, some swellClosed: monsoon rain
We close from June to September when the south-west monsoon reaches Madiha. The water is 27–30 °C and the turtles stay on the reef all year.
Questions
Dive sites
Where do you dive?
Boat dives go to the dive sites off Mirissa, Weligama and sometimes Matara. For the Wombat Wreck, our longest trip, we head toward Tangalle, about 45 minutes each way. Our other boat sites are usually 15 to 20 minutes away. Snorkeling is always from the beach at Polhena or Madiha.
Who chooses the site?
We choose each morning by sea conditions and who is on the boat, so the day is safe and enjoyable for everyone.
Why is Limestone Reef rarely available?
It needs calm conditions to dive well, and the sea only allows it now and then. We will tell you if it is on.
When can I dive the Wombat Wreck?
December to February, in good weather, with at least two divers. The boat leaves at 6:30 am.