Sun Diving Center

Sun Diving Centre is situated on the Unawatuna seafront in Galle, Sri Lanka, positioned near the Kingfisher Restaurant/Hotel. Established in 2014, the centre has become a staple of the local diving community, offering access to seventeen different dive sites across the region.

The area is particularly noted for its variety of underwater environments, ranging from rocky pinnacles and reef flats to significant historical shipwrecks. Whether you are looking to complete your first certification or are a seasoned diver seeking wreck penetration, the centre provides a structured and professional base for your dives.

The centre was founded by Ranjith and his son Shan, bringing a deep well of local knowledge to the operation. Ranjith has over 35 years of diving experience in the area, while Shan is a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer. This combination of local heritage and professional instruction forms the backbone of the team.

As a PADI 5 Star centre, the focus remains on professionalism and a supportive atmosphere for all divers. The international team is experienced in guiding divers through various levels of training and exploration, ensuring a high standard of safety and instruction throughout the day.

Sun Diving Centre offers the complete PADI progression, starting with Discover SCUBA Diving and the Open Water Diver course. For those looking to advance their skills, they provide Advanced Open Water Diver, Deep Diver, and Rescue Diver training, as well as the Divemaster programme.

Specialised training is a core part of the curriculum, including the PADI Wreck Diver course, Enriched Air (Nitrox) Diver, and Peak Performance Buoyancy. The centre also hosts courses such as Underwater Photography Diver, AWARE Course, and Dive Against Debris, alongside Emergency First Response and Emergency Oxygen Provider certifications.

The centre provides a full range of rental kit for those not travelling with their own equipment. This includes regulators, BCDs, wetsuits, fins, and masks, ensuring you have everything required for your sessions.

For night dives, torches are available for hire. The facility also offers Nitrox services for divers looking to extend their bottom times, and emergency oxygen is maintained on-site to ensure safety standards are met.

The waters around Unawatuna are home to a wide array of pelagics. Between November and April, you can encounter Blue whales, Sperm whales, Pilot whales, Fin whales, and Orcas. This season also brings sightings of Humpback whales and Dolphins.

During the same November to April window, Whale sharks are also known to visit the area, appearing a few times throughout the season. You will frequently see various reef fish, including Snapper, Grouper, and Great barracuda.

In the shallower reef areas, look for flying fish and a variety of other colourful reef inhabitants. The presence of large predators like the Great barracuda adds to the dynamic nature of the local marine life.

The best time to dive in this region is from November to April, with the period between December and February offering the most reliable conditions. During these months, the sea is generally more favourable for diving.

While the Unawatuna area remains diveable during the off-season, other locations in the south, such as Hikkaduwa, may experience stronger currents and reduced visibility between May and September.