Unawatuna Dive Sites – Wrecks, Reefs & Coral Gardens
Discover the best dive sites in Unawatuna with Pearl Divers, a 5-Star PADI Dive Resort. From historic shipwrecks to vibrant coral reefs, our expert dive team will guide you through unforgettable underwater adventures in Sri Lanka.
Unawatuna Dive Sites – Explore with Pearl Divers
Discover the best dive sites around Unawatuna, from historic shipwrecks to colorful coral reefs. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced diver, Pearl Divers’ expert team will guide you through these unforgettable underwater experiences.
The Ralagala Wreck
Depth 20m | Advanced
The Ralagala Wreck is a mysterious site with no recorded history, resting at 20 meters below the surface. Divers can explore remnants such as oil barrels, transmission parts, and intact hull sections. The wreck has become a thriving reef, sheltering snappers, angelfish, porcupinefish, pufferfish, Titan triggerfish, and giant morays. A fascinating mix of history and marine life makes Ralagala one of Unawatuna’s must-see wreck dives.
The Galle Ship Wreck (Tango Wreck)
Depth 24m | Advanced
Located between Gibbet and Closenburg Islands, this wreck features around 20 large iron cannons spread across the seabed. Some lie in shallow water while others extend down to 24 meters. Once thought to be part of an abandoned battery or shipwreck, the site is steeped in history. It’s a unique chance to dive among artifacts and experience a piece of Sri Lanka’s maritime past.
Jungle Beach
Depth 1–15m | Beginner to Advanced
Just 25 minutes from Unawatuna, Jungle Beach is perfect for both snorkeling and diving. With calm waters, vibrant coral reefs, and colorful reef fish, it’s ideal for beginners and families. Advanced divers will also enjoy exploring the deeper sections of the reef, which stretches nearly one kilometer. Set against the backdrop of Rumassala Mountain, Jungle Beach offers a serene mix of nature and culture.
Galapita Gala
Depth 25m | Intermediate to Advanced
Only 10 minutes from the dive centre, Galapita Gala is a rocky underwater landscape where a rock balances on top of another. The site features a 3-meter long cave, home to nudibranchs, coral trees, and reef fish. Black corals, soft corals, and sea sponges thrive here, while manta rays, stingrays, lionfish, and blue-ring angelfish make regular appearances.
Goda Gala (Lord Nelson Wreck)
Depth 20–30m | Advanced
Sunk in 2000 while carrying cement, this modern shipwreck is now an exciting artificial reef. Divers can penetrate parts of the wreck and discover reef fish, corals, and sometimes even mantas in large numbers. With excellent visibility and easy access from Unawatuna, the Lord Nelson Wreck is a favorite among wreck enthusiasts.
Goda Kupatha
Depth 18m | Beginner to Intermediate
Just five minutes from Unawatuna, Goda Kupatha is a coral and rocky reef rising dramatically from the seabed. With healthy coral growth, various rays, and reef fish, this natural site is enjoyable for both beginners and experienced divers.
Diyamba Kupatha
Depth 25–30m | Advanced
Around 20 minutes from the dive centre, Diyamba Kupatha is a wide rocky reef system rich with black and red corals, anemones, moray eels, and trevally. Dolphins and whale sharks are sometimes spotted here, especially in February. Spanning nearly one kilometer, this is an unforgettable site for adventurous divers.
Goda Gala Diyamba (Napoleon Reef)
Depth 6–18m | All Levels
Located just 10 minutes from Unawatuna, Napoleon Reef is named after its resident giant Napoleon wrasse, often weighing over 40 kg. The reef extends for about a kilometer and shelters groupers, moray eels, sea slugs, and colorful reef fish. With both shallow and deeper areas, this site is suitable for divers of all levels.
Reef Wreck
Depth 15–20m | Intermediate
A natural reef combined with wreckage, this site offers the best of both worlds. Divers can encounter trevally, snappers, goatfish, bannerfish, angelfish, butterflyfish, emperors, and fusiliers. It’s a fantastic location for underwater photography and marine life observation near Unawatuna.
Delvaniyagala Diyamba
Depth 15–20m | Beginner to Intermediate
This coral-rich reef is close to Pearl Divers and offers excellent visibility most of the time. Home to snappers, angelfish, giant morays, and other reef species, it’s a scenic dive spot suitable for divers of all levels.
Navy Kupatha
Depth 15–25m | All Levels
Spread across more than one kilometer, Navy Kupatha combines rocky terrain with coral patches. Suitable for beginners and experienced divers alike, the site features pelagics, rays, groupers, snappers, turtles, eels, jacks, and barracudas. With reliable visibility and plenty of photo opportunities, it’s a rewarding dive every time.
Aluth Gala
Depth 9–25m | Advanced
A pinnacle dive site 15 minutes from Unawatuna, Aluth Gala descends from 9 meters down to 25 meters. Expect encounters with manta rays, scorpionfish, lionfish, barracudas, snappers, and morays. The unique structure and rich biodiversity make this site perfect for experienced divers.
Rangoon Wreck
Depth 32m | Advanced
Resting upright at the entrance of Galle Harbour, the SS Rangoon is a 60-meter-long, 1,800-ton steamship built in 1863. Despite its age, the wreck remains remarkably intact, with its bow resembling a Viking ship. At 32 meters deep, advanced divers can explore this historic site, often surrounded by jellyfish, rabbitfish, snappers, and bluefin trevally.
Aluthgal Mattha
Depth 10–25m | All Levels
Aluthgal Mattha offers a mix of beginner-friendly shallows and deeper sections for advanced divers. The reef is home to a wide variety of corals, reef fish, and marine invertebrates, making it suitable for divers with different experience levels.
Talpe Reef
Depth 10–18m | Beginner to Intermediate
One of the largest natural coral reefs near Unawatuna, Talpe Reef is full of colorful corals, sponges, and reef fish. Snappers, morays, and many other species shelter in this thriving ecosystem. Its moderate depth makes it ideal for underwater photographers and nature lovers.
The “No Name” Wreck
Depth 24m | Advanced
This unidentified British cargo shipwreck rests at 24 meters and measures about 60 meters in length. Divers can still see its propeller and steam machinery. The wreck is home to lionfish, scorpionfish, snappers, barracudas, and morays. A site best suited for advanced divers looking for mystery and marine life combined.
Ready to Dive Unawatuna’s Best Sites?
Join Pearl Divers, Unawatuna’s trusted 5-Star PADI Dive Resort, for an unforgettable underwater adventure. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced diver, our experienced instructors will take you to the most exciting wrecks and reefs along Sri Lanka’s south coast.