Short answer. On the south coast, dive from October to May. December to February is the high season, with the calmest seas and our busiest days. March to May and October to November are the low season: quieter, still good, a little less predictable. We close from June to September, when the south-west monsoon brings rain and rough seas to Madiha.
| High season | December to February |
|---|---|
| Low season | March to May and October to November |
| Closed | June to September (monsoon) |
| Reopening | October |
| Wombat Wreck | December to February only |
| Best time of day | Mornings: our dives start at 8:00 or 8:30 am |
The south coast calendar
Our year follows the monsoon. We reopen in October, run daily through to May, and close for the four rainy months. Here is how each part of the year feels.
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.
High season: December to February
The calmest and busiest months. Seas are usually gentle, days are dry and hot, and boats leave full. This is also the only time we run the Wombat Wreck trip, a 45-minute boat ride each way toward Tangalle. It needs at least two divers and good weather, and we confirm the day before.
Book ahead in high season, especially for courses and the Wombat Wreck. Booking requests are free and we reply by email or WhatsApp.
Low season: March to May and October to November
Fewer visitors, the same warm water, and the same friendly team. The weather is a little less predictable, so we choose the dive site each morning by sea conditions. March to May is usually the settled end of the season; October and November are the transition back from the monsoon, and you may see the occasional rough day.
If your dates are flexible, the low season is a good time for a PADI course, with more of the instructor's attention and quieter dive sites.
June to September: why we close
From June to September the south-west monsoon brings rain and rough seas to Madiha, so we close. This is not a bad year for Sri Lanka as a whole: the east coast, around Trincomalee, is generally the better choice in these months. You can still send us a booking request for the months we reopen, and we answer WhatsApp messages all year.
Best month for snorkeling with turtles
The turtle lagoon at Polhena is shallow and calm, and the turtles are there all year, so the best snorkeling days are simply the clear, calm mornings during our season. Day snorkeling tours start every 30 minutes from 7:00 am. Read the full turtle snorkeling guide.
How we decide each day
The team checks the sea every morning. Our own call always overrides any forecast, and the site you dive depends on swell, visibility and who is in the group. Our live conditions on our contact page show today's weather and waves for Madiha, with a clear note when they are a model rather than a measurement.
Scuba diving in Sri Lanka
Snorkeling with turtles
Learn to dive in Sri Lanka