Spinner Dolphin Pass
Kalpitiya · Sri Lanka
A shallow sandy passage between Bar Reef and the Kalpitiya Peninsula where spinner dolphin superpods of 500 or more individuals rest and socialise in the midmorning calm before moving offshore to hunt. Snorkeling and freediving encounters here are world-class, with dolphins approaching within arm's reach of still, quiet swimmers. The pass also functions as a nursery corridor — pods with newborn calves are common from January to April, making this one of the most emotionally resonant wildlife experiences in Asia.
Conditions
Depth
3 to 18 m
Good for beginners
Current
Often strong
Can pick up on the edge
Visibility
3 to 8 m
Clearest in the calm season
Water
26 to 31°C
3mm wetsuit
Month by month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water (°C) | 27 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 |
| Vis (m) | 10 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 10 | 10 |
| Current | Gentle | Gentle | Gentle | Moderate | Moderate | Strong | Strong | Strong | Moderate | Moderate | Gentle | Gentle |
Your chances of seeing each animal
Indian Roller
Last confirmed Jul 6, 2026 · 6 records
Very likely
Most dives
Spinner Dolphin
Last confirmed Feb 20, 2025 · 1 records
Likely
About 6 in 10 dives
Indian Ocean Humpback Dolphin
Last confirmed Mar 29, 2024 · 1 records
Likely
About 6 in 10 dives
Indian Garden Lizard
Last confirmed Jul 6, 2026 · 10 records
Likely
About 6 in 10 dives
Tibetan Sand-Plover
Last confirmed Mar 24, 2025 · 3 records
Rare
Now and then
Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin
Expected
Known here, not yet in recent logs
Gear