Some divers mistakenly refer to it as the third reef - the last land area before the depths of the Indian Ocean. But Diyamba Gala is the tenth riff if you count the variations in a straight line. There are between 15 and 20 different types of rocks and reefs on the way to the site.
The reef is home to numerous Lobbed Pore corals where Christmas tree worms of all hues can be found. And this dive site is filled with bright coloured marine animals including, sweetlips, parrotfish, and porcupinefish, Cardinalfish, lionfish, grouper, bullseyes, scorpionfish, stingrays, squid, Corals, sponges, purple fans, Starfish, lobsters, and crabs.
The area usually offers excellent visibility to the divers so that you can get the whole experience of this underwater world with little to no disturbances. The shallowest area is 17 meters deep and drops to 25 to 30 meters. This area can accompany strong currents.
Depending on the service you require and how long you need to be there, the price for a single person range from $150 to $300. Most service providers provide the equipment you need for your excursion. These are the minimum requirements, which can change depending on the moment and the chosen service provider. Additionally, there will be a 15–20-minute training session to ensure everything is going well.
As a tropical island, the weather in Sri Lanka can quickly change from sunny to rainy. Therefore, sunscreen and sunglasses are a must in this area. It would help if you thought of a sun hat as it can come in handy on bright days.
Of course, you can't dive alone. In the Negambo area, numerous service providers have government-issued licenses and registrations. We recommend booking an agency before travelling to Negambo.
Undoubtedly one of Sri Lanka's top dive sites, Diyamba Gala, has a lot to offer if you want to experience the full sensation of the wonders of the sea. Budgets aren't huge since it's an Asian nation. The weather is excellent, and the people are so friendly. So this place is a must if you enjoy the great outdoors and like seeing corals and marine life.
Negombo is undoubtedly one of the most popular tourist destination in Sri Lanka, located in the Western Province of the country at the mouth of the Negombo Lagoon on the island's west coast. The distance between it and Bandaranaike International Airport is 10 kilometers. Divers of all experience levels flock to Negombo to enjoy the reefs, rocky obstacles, wrecks, and caves the area offers.
Both shallow and deep areas have a variety of marine organisms. Popular Dive Sites near Negombo are Diyamba Gala, Lobster Reef, Derana Gala, Barracuda Point, and Ahas Yatra Gala, home to a sunken British fighter plane. Another local attraction is Route 66, an oceanic road that runs northwest of the dive site.
From November to May, Negambo offers its warm waters for diving. The typical water temperature, which ranges between 25°C (77°F) and 30°C (86°F), is exceptionally high. The air temperature fluctuates between 25 °C and 28 °C with a relative humidity of more than 75 %: the monsoon and the usual rainy season for this region both last from May to September.
Negombo is best visited when the rainy season is over, the water is more transparent, and visibility can reach up to 25 meters or 82 feet. Shallow areas are excellent for macro photography, with large coral formations and tiny exotic species such as sweetlips, parrotfish, and porcupinefish.
Further from shore, deeper and more challenging dives could be a haven for predatory fish, including cardinalfish, lionfish, grouper, bullseyes, scorpionfish, stingrays, squid, and many more. Corals, sponges, purple fans, and anemones are native flora. Starfish, lobsters, crabs, and other tiny organisms lurking among the rocks are also easy to spot.
