Colombo sits on the southwest coast of Sri Lanka, with its dive sites spread across the Indian Ocean a short boat ride from the city. The area is defined by wreck diving: the database includes sites such as the MV Thermopylae Sierra, Pecheur Breton, and the Medhufaru Wreck, which have colonised into artificial reefs attracting species including spotted eagle rays, grey reef sharks, scalloped hammerheads, Indian lionfish, and day octopus. Depths across the sites run from shallow enough for beginners to demanding ranges suited to advanced divers, and visibility typically falls between ten and twenty metres. The dry season from November to April brings the calmest seas and the most reliable conditions; the southwest monsoon between May and October can roughen the water and reduce visibility considerably.
Monthly water temperature across Colombo's sites, from satellite sea-surface data corrected for depth. The band shows the site-to-site spread.
Water temperatures stay warm throughout the year, peaking around April and May and dropping only slightly during the mid-year months. The southwest monsoon from May to October can make sea conditions rough and cut visibility, so most divers plan trips between November and April for the most settled water.
Water temperature around Colombo ranges from about 28°C in January to 30°C in April, based on satellite sea-temperature data for its dive sites.
With water around 28–30°C, a rash guard or 3mm shorty works in Colombo year-round.
Fin maps 4 sites in Colombo (4 scuba diving sites).
Across Colombo's dive sites, January, February, March, April, November and December are most often reported as the best months to visit.
4 more sites to explore
