Weligama Coral Reef
Mirissa · Sri Lanka
A gently sloping coral garden stretching along the sheltered bay of Weligama, just west of Mirissa, renowned as the most beginner-friendly dive in the region with depths rarely exceeding 12 metres. Resident hawksbill and green turtles rest on the coral heads and are unbothered by careful divers, offering some of the most relaxed turtle encounters in Sri Lanka. The reef is also packed with moray eels, pufferfish, lion fish, and dense schools of fusiliers that sweep through the coral in shimmering curtains.
Conditions
Depth
3 to 14 m
Good for beginners
Current
Often strong
Can pick up on the edge
Visibility
5 to 10 m
Clearest in the calm season
Water
26 to 30°C
3mm wetsuit
Month by month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water (°C) | 26 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 26 |
| Vis (m) | 10 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Current | Still | Still | Still | Gentle | Moderate | Strong | Strong | Strong | Moderate | Gentle | Gentle | Still |
Your chances of seeing each animal
Indian Garden Lizard
Last confirmed Jun 16, 2026 · 113 records
Almost always
Nearly every dive
White-Throated Kingfisher
Last confirmed Jul 5, 2026 · 99 records
Almost always
Nearly every dive
Bengal Monitor
Last confirmed Jun 27, 2026 · 154 records
Almost always
Nearly every dive
Indian Peafowl
Last confirmed May 9, 2026 · 97 records
Almost always
Nearly every dive
Green Sea Turtle
Last confirmed Jun 30, 2026 · 51 records
Almost always
Nearly every dive
Tawny Hermit Crab
Last confirmed May 8, 2026 · 69 records
Almost always
Nearly every dive
Hawksbill Sea Turtle
Last confirmed Jan 8, 2026 · 1 records
Likely
About 6 in 10 dives
Moray Eel
Last confirmed Feb 2, 2026 · 2 records
Likely
About 6 in 10 dives
Gear