Sri Lanka’s reefs range from easily accessible shore snorkelling at Hikkaduwa and Unawatuna to boat-accessed sites around Pigeon Island National Park near Trincomalee, with resident turtles, reef sharks and healthy coral in shallow, clear water. Certified dive centres operate across both coasts, with options for complete beginners through to experienced divers seeking wreck dives. The two-coast seasonal split means genuinely good conditions are available somewhere on the island for most of the year. A glass-bottom boat option exists for non-swimmers who still want to see the reef.