A 20-minute drive from the Bandaranaike International Airport, Negombo is quite often the very first place tourists visit or the last place they visit before leaving the island, making it an ideal location for diving excursions in Sri Lanka.
Divers from all over the world visit Negombo to relish the excitement of the beautiful blue seas and to appreciate the peaceful charisma of the sea organisms living in these waters.
Negombo beaches are well explored from December to April and are suitable for divers of varying levels, whether they are beginners or experienced.
Ahas Yatrawa Dive Site is the most wonderful out of all the diving sites in Negombo. It is due to the presence of old WWII Fighter British aeroplane remains, which crashed into the waters about a kilometre away from Katuneriya, Negombo, in 1940.
As a result, the locals refer to this location as "Ahas Yathrawa," which translates to "aircraft" in English. So, if you can't find the place, ask people where you can find the Ahas Yathrawa diving site, and they will point you to the exact location.
This diving location has an intriguing historical story. That is, when a fisherman on a "Theppama" (a type of traditional fishing boat in Sri Lanka) saw the incident, he helped rescue the pilot of the plane and brought him back to shore.
Today, Vincent, the son of the fisherman who rescued the pilot from the WWII British fighter plane, will be here to guide you with your diving adventures.
You can even ask him about this amazing story in his own words! After all, how thrilling must it be for him to tell you about his father, who was involved in the heroic act of saving another person on the verge of death?
The Ahas Yatrawa Dive Site is a boat-accessible twin reef system. That is, there are two reefs: one is a natural mound of charred remains, and the other is a relatively small debris field created from the remains of the aircraft.
Both of these reef systems, including the wreckages of engines, wing frames, and fuselage, are surrounded by stunning and colorful corals and brimming with marine life. Therefore, don't forget to bring your scuba diving camera because there will be plenty of photographic opportunities when you are here.
Because the Ahas Yatrawa Dive Site is not very deep, it is suitable for even inexperienced divers. Its maximum depth is about 13m. On calm waves, visibility ranges from 12.5 to 37.5 meters on a good day.
Many marine organisms thrive in this ecosystem.
And you will perceive that there is no better place in Sri Lanka where you can see Flounders, Nudibranchs, and Lionfish!
You will have a better hope of seeing Lionfish here, rather than in any other place, among the different other fish varieties; they are venomous yet vibrantly colored fish that are a sight to gaze upon. However, don't be fooled by appearances. Because if you are stung by the spikes of a lionfish, it can cause severe pain, nausea, dizziness, fever, etc., for some time, but won't be fatal.
