Quick facts
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Sea state: Calm AM, light chop PM
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Best for: All levels; easy reefs and wrecks
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Boats: Daily morning departures
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Getting here: 4–5 hrs from Colombo by road or train
Tip: Book early for June–September prime season
Water 27–30 °C
Viz ~10–30m
Why dive Nilaveli & Trincomalee with Divers Land
Seasonal sweet-spot
We move north when the monsoon shifts and Nilaveli enjoys flat seas and top visibility — roughly April to October.
Reefs & wrecks
Sites range from shallow coral gardens and rocky pinnacles to small wrecks ideal for exploration dives and navigation training.
Small groups
We match sites to diver experience and comfort, ensuring relaxed dives and unhurried surface intervals.
Nilaveli & Trincomalee highlight sites
Swami Rock (Temple Reef)
Dramatic underwater cliffs below the Koneswaram Temple; 10–25m; frequent turtle and ray sightings.
Irakkakandy Reef
Soft corals, schooling snappers and reef fish; 10–18m; light currents.
Navy Museum
Small inshore wreck (Navy gunboat); 12–20m; ideal for training or photography.
Bus Station
Artificial reef of old buses – 16-20m; morays, stingrays and bus swim-throughs.
Learn to dive with Divers Land – PADI courses at Nilaveli
All Prices excluding certification and PADI Learning Materials. Cost is €85.
Open Water Diver
Your first full certification; 3–4 days incl. pool, theory and 4 ocean dives.
€340 · min age 10
Advanced Open Water Diver
Build skills over 5 adventure dives (e.g. Deep, Wreck, Nav).
€320
Rescue & EFR
Confidence-boosting diver rescue with first-aid. 3 days.
€460
Discover Scuba Diving
Try diving in a half-day intro with an instructor (no cert).
€85
Nitrox Speciality
Extend no-stop limits; ideal for back-to-back wreck dives.
€140
Divemaster (modular)
Start the pro track; flexible schedules across our centres.
POA
Fun-dive & package prices
| Offer | Includes | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 2-tank boat (AM) | Guide, tanks/weights, snacks, water | €80 |
| Refresher + 1 or 2 boat dives | Skill tune-up + guided dive | €75/ €105 |
| Snorkelling tours | Join the boat; mask/snorkel/fins | €36–€40 |
Kit rental and camera hire available on request.
Where we dive
Morning boat dives depart from our dive centre on Nilaveli Beach, about 15 minutes from Trincomalee town.
Travel
From Colombo: 4–5 hours by road or train; short tuk-tuk transfer locally.
What to bring
Certification card/logbook, sunscreen, towel, reef-safe habits. We’ll handle the rest.
Conditions
- 27–30 °C water temperature
- Visibility 15–30 m
- Light currents.
Divers Land Trincomalee
“Warm, clear water and colourful reefs right off Nilaveli Beach – perfect for my first dives.” – Newly certified diver
“Easy dives and fantastic visibility – we saw turtles every day.” – Returning guest
“The whole trip was worth it for the Bus Station. Unbelievable.” — Wreck fan
Check dates & book
Our north-east season runs 1 April – 31 October.
Tell us your preferred dates, diver numbers and experience, and we’ll confirm the best plan.
Season FAQs
When is Nilaveli in season?
From May to October — when visibility and sea conditions are at their best.
What are conditions like?
Water 27–30 °C; visibility 15–30 m; light currents; mornings generally calmest.
Do you run try dives?
Yes — our Discover Scuba Diving experience runs most days in season and is ideal for first-timers.
Can non-divers join the boat?
Absolutely — we welcome snorkellers and riders when sea conditions allow.