Polhena Diving Center

Polhena Diving Center is a PADI 5 Star Dive Resort situated in Matara, positioned along the scenic southern coastline of Sri Lanka. With over 10 years of experience and more than 3,500 divers having trained or explored the area with them, the centre has become a fixture of the local diving community.

The centre is easily accessible via Polhena Beach or Madiha Beach. It serves as a base for exploring the Indian Ocean's biodiversity, focusing on the reefs and rocky structures that characterise this stretch of coastline.

The centre operates with a focus on small groups and a professional, eco-responsible approach to diving. Their team of passionate instructors and divemasters is experienced in guiding divers through various environments, from shallow reef flats to deeper rocky sites.

As a PADI 5 Star Dive Resort, they provide a structured environment for both recreational exploration and professional development. Their teaching philosophy emphasises safety and personal attention, ensuring that every diver, whether a novice or a professional candidate, receives appropriate guidance.

The centre offers a comprehensive catalogue of PADI courses catering to all levels of experience. Beginners can start with the PADI Open Water Diver course, with progression available through the PADI Advanced Open Water Diver and Rescue Diver programmes.

For divers looking to specialise, the centre provides training in PADI Deep Diver, Peak Performance Buoyancy, and the Enriched Air (Nitrox) Diver course. They also offer Fish Identification and Boat Diving specialties.

Professional divers can undertake the PADI Divemaster course at the centre. For those beginning their professional journey, EFR (Emergency First Response) training is also available.

Polhena Diving Center provides a complete range of rental kit for those not travelling with their own equipment. You can hire everything required for a dive, including regulators, BCDs, fins, and masks.

For those looking to extend their underwater experience, the centre also offers wetsuits and torches for night diving. Nitrox is available on-site for divers looking to extend their bottom times.

The local marine life is headlined by frequent sightings of sea turtles. These animals are a regular feature around the Polhena Reef and the waters surrounding Navy Island.

The reef ecosystems are home to a diverse array of reef fish and various coral species that provide the structural foundation for the local habitat. These sites are ideal for observing the natural behaviours of resident tropical fish.

In the shallower areas and reef flats, you will find a variety of smaller inhabitants and reef-dwelling species that make every dive an opportunity for discovery.

The diving environment around Polhena Reef is characterised by gentle currents, making it suitable for a wide range of experience levels. This predictable water movement allows for relaxed exploration of the reef structures.

While the area is generally accessible, divers should always account for local conditions when planning their dives to ensure the best experience on the reef.