Polhena DivingPADI 5 Star Dive Resort
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Snorkeling · Polhena and Madiha

Snorkel with turtles in Polhena

Swim from the beach with a guide, in the calm, shallow lagoon where green turtles feed. Day tours every 30 minutes from 7:00 am, and night snorkeling at 6:30 pm.

A green turtle resting in the seagrass of the Polhena lagoon

Polhena's reef forms a calm, shallow lagoon just off the beach, and the turtles know it. You swim from the sand with a guide who knows where to look.

No boat, no deep water and no experience needed. We go to Polhena Beach or Madiha Beach, whichever has the clearer water that day. We give you a mask, snorkel, fins and a life jacket, and bring you back for a cup of tea.

What you might see

  • Green turtles
  • Hawksbill turtles
  • Parrotfish
  • Butterflyfish
  • Rays
  • Soft corals

Live weather, waves and sunset for Madiha load here.

Day Snorkeling at Polhena Reef
SnorkelingAll ages

Day Snorkeling at Polhena Reef

Polhena's reef forms a calm, shallow lagoon just off the beach. Green and hawksbill turtles come here to feed on the seagrass, often a few metres from where you stand.

You swim straight from the beach with one of our guides, at Polhena or Madiha depending on that day's visibility. No boat, no deep water, and no experience needed. Mornings are best: the water is clearest and the turtles are busiest.

How it goes

  1. 15 min
    Briefing and fitting

    Meet your guide, get your mask and fins fitted and learn how to float easily.

  2. 60 min
    Snorkel the reef

    A guided swim over the lagoon looking for turtles, rays, parrotfish and butterflyfish.

  3. 15–20 min
    Back on the beach

    Rinse off, relax at the centre and tell us how many turtles you counted.

Included

  • Mask, snorkel and fins
  • Life jacket
  • A guide in the water with you
  • Free tuk-tuk pickup within about 5 km, and from Mirissa

Not included

  • GoPro rental (ask at the centre)

What to bring

  • Swimwear and a towel
  • Reef-safe sunscreen
  • A hat and sunglasses for the beach
  • A camera or GoPro if you have one

Before you book

  • You don't need to be a strong swimmer: the water is shallow and we give everyone a life jacket.
  • Children 8 and over are welcome with an adult. Children up to 9 pay the child price.

From a guest

I went on the day and night snorkel tours. Both were fantastic. My guide was very knowledgeable knowing where certain species live. I saw much more than I would have on my own. The team is very hospitable and even provided hoppers for after the night snorkel
TripAdvisor reviewerDay and night snorkeling · Feb 2025 ★★★★★ · TripAdvisor

Good to know

  • Please don't touch or chase the turtles. Our guides keep everyone at a respectful distance.
  • Cancel any time before your activity starts for a full refund. Payment is final once the boat trip starts.
  • Pay on the day in cash or by card. Card payments have a 3% fee.
  • Staying further away? Pickup is possible at a cost. Ask us for a price.
From$18per person
Starts
7:00 am to 9:30 am, every 30 minutes
Duration
About 2 hours
Depth
1–3 m, standing depth in places
Who
Age 8 and up
Where
From the beach at Polhena or Madiha, depending on visibility and conditions
Pickup
Free within about 5 km and from Mirissa
  • Adults$18
  • Children (up to 9)$9
Book this

Free cancellation before the activity starts. Nothing is charged online. Pay on the day in cash or by card (3% card fee).

Night Snorkeling at Polhena Reef
SnorkelingAll ages

Night Snorkeling at Polhena Reef

After dark the lagoon is a different place. Corals open to feed, crabs and lobsters leave their holes, and turtles sleep wedged under the rocks.

With a dive torch each and a guide leading the way, you explore the same shallow, sheltered water as the day trip. Dark, moonless nights are the most striking.

How it goes

  1. 15 min
    Evening briefing

    Meet at the centre at 6:30 pm for a safety talk and torch handling.

  2. 45–60 min
    Snorkel by torchlight

    Enter at twilight and follow your guide across the reef.

  3. 20 min
    Snacks at the centre

    Dry off and share what you saw over a snack and a drink.

Included

  • Mask, snorkel, fins and life jacket
  • Dive torch
  • Guide
  • Snack and drinks afterwards
  • Free tuk-tuk pickup within about 5 km, and from Mirissa

Not included

  • Underwater camera (bring your own)

What to bring

  • Swimwear and a towel
  • Dry clothes for afterwards
  • Insect repellent for the beach

Before you book

  • Comfortable floating with a life jacket. No swimming skills needed.
  • Children 8 and over with an adult.

From a guest

I went on the day and night snorkel tours. Both were fantastic. My guide was very knowledgeable knowing where certain species live. I saw much more than I would have on my own. The team is very hospitable and even provided hoppers for after the night snorkel
TripAdvisor reviewerDay and night snorkeling · Feb 2025 ★★★★★ · TripAdvisor

Good to know

  • Check the moon on our conditions board: a dark night shows off the torchlight best.
  • Cancel any time before your activity starts for a full refund. Payment is final once the boat trip starts.
  • Pay on the day in cash or by card. Card payments have a 3% fee.
  • Staying further away? Pickup is possible at a cost. Ask us for a price.
From$28per person
Starts
6:30 pm
Duration
About 1.5 hours
Depth
1–3 m
Who
Age 8 and up
Where
From the beach at Polhena or Madiha, depending on conditions
Pickup
Free within about 5 km and from Mirissa
  • People$28
Book this

Free cancellation before the activity starts. Nothing is charged online. Pay on the day in cash or by card (3% card fee).

When to come

We are open October to May

When we're open
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

Snorkeling in Polhena

Do I need to know how to swim to snorkel in Polhena?
No. The water at Polhena is shallow and calm, we give you a life jacket, and a professional guide stays with you throughout the tour.
What can I see while snorkeling?
Green and hawksbill turtles live on the reef, along with rays, butterflyfish, parrotfish and many other tropical fish. You can often see turtles just a few metres from the shore.
Can I see turtles all year?
Yes, the turtles live on the reef all year. We are open from October to May and closed from June to September for the monsoon.
Where do we snorkel?
From the beach, with no boat. We go to Polhena Beach or Madiha Beach depending on that day's visibility and conditions.
What is the difference between day and night snorkeling?
The day tour is bright and clear, and perfect for beginners and families. The night tour at 6:30 pm uses dive torches to find crabs, lobsters and sleeping turtles. Both are in the same shallow, sheltered water.
Is snorkeling safe for children?
Yes. Children aged 8 and over are welcome with an adult, and children up to 9 years pay the child price of $9. We provide life jackets and our guides keep everyone comfortable.
What should I bring?
Swimwear, a towel and reef-safe sunscreen. We provide the mask, snorkel, fins and life jacket. Bring a camera or GoPro if you have one, or rent one of ours for $15.
Can you pick us up from our hotel?
Yes. Free tuk-tuk pickup from hotels within about 5 km of the centre, and from Mirissa. Staying further away? Pickup is possible at a cost. Ask us for a price.
What if I need to cancel?
Cancel any time before your activity starts for a full refund. Payment is final once the boat trip starts. PADI eLearning is paid to PADI and is not refundable.

Come and meet the turtles

Day tours from $18 per adult and $9 per child. Night snorkeling $28.

Book day snorkelingBook night snorkeling