The one-stop guide to diving in Sri Lanka!
Welcome to my blog about SCUBA diving in Sri Lanka.
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September Report - Ravana's Nil Diya Pokuna underground lake in Ella, Sri Lanka
A second dive extends the cave in a different direction
After the first exploration on 24/07/2017 - 80m and 30m added to the cave
After the 03/09/2017 exploration another 70m was explored
03/09/2017 - A thrilling second exploratary dive of the mystical Ravana's Nil Diya Pokuna cave in the mountains of Ella, Sri Lanka revelaed another long pathway which bottomed out at 21.4 meters (70 feet) but kept on going into the mountain. In this very hard to get to and magical place there seemed to be a long underwater cave that may extend many kilometers. More exploration is needed to clear this massive mystery. See below for the official trip video
July Report - A remarkable discovery of a underwater cave system from Sri Lanka
The first time dive to a exotic, high-altitude, underground blue lake cave in the hills.
26/07/1917 - BREAKING NEWS - In two survey cave dives to a subterranean underwater lake in Ella, Sri Lanka, the editor of DiveSriLanka.com has made a remarkable discovery of an underwater cave system. In two initial survey dives to 20 metres and 16 metres spanning a line distance of 80 metres and 30 metres, Dharshana Jayawardena explored underwater rocky caves that did not seem to have a perceptible end.
May Report - 75th Anniversary of the HMS Hermes and the last of the west coast dives
The pioneer diver who discovered the wreck of the HMS Hermes
The events leading upto the sinking and the aftermath by Rex Morgan
9th of April 2017 marked the 75th anniversary of the Hermes sinking. On this historic occassion we examine the diving history of the Hermes wreck. Click here for more information.
The last dive of the season to the Thermopylae Sierra
11/05/2017 - We manage just one last dive before the seas get rough
Exploring the insides of the Pecheur Breton Cargo Wreck
7/4/2017 - One long tech dive exploring the insides of the wreck
April Report - Diving the deepest shipwreck in Sri Lanka - MV Tricolor (1931)
March 2017 - I conduct two dives to the MV Tricolor, A Norwegian general cargo vessel that sank in 1931 after a violent explosion. Watch the video for footage from the last 4 expeditions and click here for more information.
March Report - A season of whale sharks and updated notice banning spearfishing
A dramatic increase in Whale Shark sightings from all over the island
What a remarkable month of March! In Colombo, and also in most places around Sri Lanka, an exceptional number of whale shark sightings occured. In Colombo, almost everyday, whale shark sightings were reported between 9.00 AM and 1.00 PM in some of the popular wrecks to the point of making it a predictable sighting event. This video documents one such delightful close encounter with a whale shark who showed up at the Pecheur Breton cargo wreck in Colombo and stayed with us for almost 50 minutes!
Updated government gazette notice banning Spearfishing in Sri Lanka
Coast guard arrests Russian Spearfisherman at the Great Basses
February Report - ONE HUNDRED YEAR DIVES!
I celebrate the 100th year anniversary commemorating the sinking of the British SS Worcestershire and SS Perseus with a week of multiple dives to these two wonderful wrecks which with I have had a very close relationship over the last 7 years. These two vessels belonging to the British Merchant Navy sank after striking a field of sea mines left by the German mine layer SMS Wolf on 17th and 21st of February 1917. Today these fantastic World War I shipwrecks lie 15-20 km west of Colombo, Sri Lanka at depths of 57 metres (Worcestershire) and 41 metres (Perseus)
The German Mine Layer SMS Wolf and Captain Nerger
Anniversary week of diving two of Colombo's deepest and historic wrecks
SS Worcestershire - sunk 17-Feb 1917
The bell of the SS Worcestershire
Bottom - The first picture of the wreck after it sank
Shoaling trevally at the wreck
At the stern of the wreck
A 1 minute compilation of diving at the Worcestershire (1917)
SS Perseus - sunk 21-Feb 1917
A Perseus class ship 100 years ago and the wreck today
The bow of the wreck
The giant high torque 4 blade propeller of the Perseus
The steering quadrant
Anniversary dive to the SS Perseus - A 102 minute dive in 4 minutes
January Report - Welcome 2017
All about diving in Sri Lanka
Check out my interview on WORKOUT.LK for a quick intro about SCUBA diving and diving in Sri Lanka!
December Report - In search of little things in life
Colombo is certainly known as one of the best places to dive Shipwrecks for sure. But it is also quite a good place for those with a penchant for the little things in life. Many of the shipwrecks such as the Pecheur Breton Cargo Wreck is home to many small and interesting species of life. However there are some reefs, that one can say, specialize in offering the diver a muck diving experience. Formosa Reef, Bora Bora and the newly discovered Whip Coral Reef are such dive sites situated in very close proximity to Colombo where one can, if one has the patience, discover a splendid little nudibranch, tiny blennies or many such macro wonders.
November Report - Start of the west coast season
The undivable wreck - MV Astoria
The MV Astoria sank near the Colombo Harbour in 1997 during a storm. Even though resting at a shallow depth of 24 meters it is inaccessible because of its close proximity to the harbour - lying just 500m southwest from the breakwater. Click here for more information.
Sep - Oct Report - The World War II wrecks of Kalmunai
Two of the best wreck dives in Sri Lanka are in Kalmunai, in the east coast. Still very much off the beaten track, special expeditions have to be organized to dive these wrecks (Dive Centers in Batticaloa may organize expeditions on request)
The SS Athelstane lies at a depth of 42 metres (at the stern) to 35 metres (at the bow). About one kilometre away lies the smaller HMS Hollyhock at 42 metres, resting atop a small drop off that reaches 50+ metres.
Best explored by Technical Divers, these are two world class shipwrecks. Read more about the SS Athelstane and the HMS Hollyhock.
August Report - The fabulous Black Coral Wreck in Colombo
A fantastic deep dive to a forrest of black coral
February 2016 - Just before Ghosts of the Deep - shipwrecks of Sri Lanka goes to print, I find another fabulous shipwreck at 40 meters depth. Just managed to insert two pictures for the page VI and VII of the book! Click here for more pictures.
July Report - Another small underwater paradise found
New Wreck - Lotus Barge in Colombo
The delightful Lotus Barge off Colombo
Bannerfish and snappers at the Lotus Barge
February 2016 - In the sea of barges, I find another small but beautiful wreck. A great dive for sure! Welcome to the Lotus Barge in Colombo.
June Report - A new wreck in Colombo and Coral Reef Survey in Vakari
Coral Reef Survey - Vakarai
10/06/2016 - 12/16/2016 - Dive Sri Lanka in associate with the Sub Aqua Club of Sri Lankaconduct a video survey of the dive sites in Kayankerni, Vakarai.
Because of El Nino, it was feared that many of the lush reefs of Kayankerni would be terribly bleached. We were glad to find out that the bleaching was minimal and overall all was well. Click here to view the survey video.
We also dived the World War II British Sergeant and and the Lady McCallum SS that sank in 1926
The Cardinal Barge - One more wreck discovered off Colombo
13/02/2016 - Based on information by a fisherman I discover another wreck at 29 metres. Click here for more information and read "Ghosts of the Deep - Diving the Shipwrecks of Sri Lanka"
At 65 metres, this wreck is probably the remains of the MV Tricolor
Far out in the sea off the coast of Beruwala, lies a mystery deep shipwreck at 65 metres of depth. Based on several investigative dives conducted at the site, I believe this to be the Norwegian vessel MV Tricolor that was lost in 1931 after a catastrophic explosion. Click here for more information
April Report - At ADEX 2016 - International Dive Convention Suntec City Singapore
At the launch of Ghosts of the Deep at ADEX 2016 Suntec City Singapore
Author/Editor speaks at ADEX 2016 TEKDIVE Conference
April 14-17: As a underwater photographer in Sri Lanka and a wreck explorer I was privileged to represent Sri Lanka at the ADEX 2016 International Dive Convention/Exhibition at Suntec City, Singapore once again and make two presentations: "Informed Wreck Diver - The art and science of unravelling deep mysteries" and "Diving World War I and World War II shipwrecks in Sri Lanka". I addition I was happy to launch "Ghosts of the Deep - Diving the shipwrecks of Sri Lanka" at the ADEX 2016 Book Festival. The book is now for sale in most Vijitha Yapa stores. International customers can order online at http://www.vijithayapa.com/product/view/30446
Finally hot off the print and now available at VY book shops
For sale at the Vijitha Yapa book store at Bandaranaike Int. Airport.
March Report - One more wreck and the book is almost ready!
Ghosts of the Deep - Available for sale by May 2016
Working on the cover - A sample print
12/03/2016 - My forthcoming book on shipwrecks of Sri Lanka with hundreds of underwater photos of Sri Lankan wrecks is almost ready. The book will be published by Vijitha Yapa and printed by Gunaratne Printers - both leaders in the publishing and printing industry in Sri Lanka. If you wish you may pre-order a copy of this limited edition book through http://www.vijithayapa.com/product/view/30446 . The book will be only available for sale in Sri Lanka but you can order it on-line with an additional shipping charge.
20/02/2016 - I locate another wreck at 40m depth off the coast of Colombo. What a beautiful place! This age of steam wreck is about 50-60m long and lies at a depth of 40 meters. I am happy that I was able to get two pictures into my forthcoming book - Ghosts of the Deep, just before it went into print! More information on this wreck soon!
February Report - More new wrecks
Thrilling first glimpse of the Lotus Barge
Snappers, Cardinalfish and beautiful black corals at the Lotus Barge
07/02/2016 - Based on information by fishermen I find two more barges. The Cardinal Barge (named becaues of the abundance of cardinalfish on the wreck) is a badly broken up wreck north of Colombo. The second barge - named as the Lotus Barge is a very beautiful place! Amazing marine life including a huge baitball lives there. Both wrecks are at 30 meters of depth. More details here soon!
At the stern of the Cardinal Barge
A haze of Cardinalfish
January Report - Happy New Year - 2016!
The year starts with our discovery of a new wreck in Colombo!
10/01/2016 - Based on a tip by a fisherman I go in search of a small barge that is supposed to be close to the shore. A brief sonar scan reveals a strong signature in surprisingly shallow depths. The water is so clear that I snorkel over the point and am surprised to see a small but fully intact wreck. Diving in we are surprised to find a beautiful dive site. Along a rocky reef rests, what appears to be a, navy gun boat / patrol craft. At 14 m depth this is a great dive site for divers all levels. Await more information soon!
Coming soon - The Ghosts of the deep - a book about the shipwrecks of Sri Lanka
07/12/2015 - OK so I missed the December deadline for publishing the long awaited book on shpwrecks of Sri Lanka, but happy to inform fans of Dive Sri Lanka that the book is almost ready! Seriously writing a book is hard. Don't try it at home. Please be patient - hoping to get enough copies to book stores near you soon.
Last year we had a great year of diving and exploration! See the Year 2015 report
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Dharshana Jayawardena is a leading Sri Lankan Underwater photographer, a wreckographer and Welcomes you to Sri Lanka! It is the best location in the Indian Ocean to Scuba Dive in the warm tropical seas and wonderful beaches. Sri Lanka offers some great Wreck Diving experiences such as the H.M.S Hermes, SS Rangoon, H.M.S Conch, The Earl Of Shaftsbury, H.M.S Diomede, and some Surat Silver Coin wrecks at the Great Basses & Little Basses Lighthouses off Kirinda and Yala. Sri Lanka offers many courses such as PADI Open Water, Advanced, Rescue, Dive Master but yet to offer NAUI, PSAI, TDI, SDI, Nitrox, Trimix, Heliox, Solo Diving Technical Dive Courses or Liveaboard Diving. Shore diving is a possibility. Sri Lanka also is famous for whale migration, dolphin watching and very occasionally for sightings of Tiger Shark, Black Tip Reef Shark, White Tip Reef Shark, Manta Rays. Reef fish such as Moray Eels, Puffer Fish (Fugu), giant turtle, Lionfish, Snappers, Sweetlips, Trevally, Barracuda, Fusiliers, Anemonefish are very very common. Some dive sites are better than Maldives, The H.M.S Hermes is a fantastic and exciting dive in Batticaloa. The H.M.S Vampire which accompanied the H.M.S Hermes is yet to be found. Surat Silver Coin treasure was found by Sir Arthur C. Clarke and Mike Wilson at the Great Basses Ridge. The coins were minted by Aurenzeb, the son of Shah Jehan who built the Mumtas Mahal (Taj Mahal). There are also wrecks of Japanese Zeros in the China Bay and Marble Beach area. The statue of lord ganesh can be seen at the Swami Rock dive in Trincomalee. pigeon Island in Trincomalee is also famous for great diving and snorkeling. This site features original photos and stock photography of the ocean and the under sea. You will also be surprised abou the diving opportunaties in Colombo. Colombo diving and colombo wreck diving is some of the best wrecks in the world
