Blue deep diving centre

Blue Deep Diving has been a fixture of the Sri Lankan diving scene since November 1995. As a PADI Dive Resort, the centre manages two distinct operational bases to follow the best seasonal conditions across the island.

You will find them in Hikkaduwa on the west coast from November to April, and in Trincomalee on the north-east coast from April to October. This seasonal rotation ensures you are always diving in the most favourable waters the country has to offer.

The team is composed of certified professionals, including Instructors and Dive Masters, who lead all training and guided excursions. To maintain a high standard of safety and personal attention, the centre operates with a strict ratio of maximum four divers per guide.

Instruction and briefings are available in English, French, and Russian. This multilingual approach makes the centre a reliable choice for international divers looking for clear communication during technical briefings or training sessions.

The centre provides a complete range of PADI training, catering to everyone from those breathing underwater for the first time to professional candidates. Their curriculum includes Discover Scuba Diving, Scuba Diver, and Open Water Diver courses.

For more experienced divers, they offer Advanced Open Water Diver, Rescue Diver, and Divemaster programmes. They also provide EFR Instructor training for those looking to pursue a career in professional diving.

The centre operates a diving catamaran designed to accommodate up to 15 people. The vessel features a large dive platform, which makes entering and exiting the water significantly easier and more efficient for your buddy pair.

Daily schedules allow for individual morning or afternoon dives, or full days consisting of two dives. The boat serves as a stable base for exploring the various sites around Trincomalee and Hikkaduwa.

For those who prefer not to carry their own kit, the centre offers a wide selection of new and regularly maintained Scubapro equipment. This includes high-quality regulators, BCDs, and other essential scuba gear.

Cylinders are available in 12-litre and 15-litre volumes, and the valves are compatible with both YOKE and DIN fittings. This ensures that divers using technical or specialized equipment can easily integrate their own regulators.

The marine life in these waters is diverse, with hard and soft corals, sea anemones (Actiniaria), and various sea fans providing a colourful backdrop. You will frequently encounter reef fish, including Angelfish (Pomacanthidae), Clownfish (Amphiprion), and various coral fishes.

Larger species are a regular highlight, with turtles, rays (Batoidea), and Southern stingrays (Hypanus americanus) appearing on the seabed. You may also spot Barracuda (Sphyraena), Snappers (Lutjanidae), and Grouper (Epinephelinae) patrolling the reef.

For macro enthusiasts, keep an eye out for Nudibranch (Chromodoris willani) and Octopus (Octopoda) tucked into the crevices. Other interesting small creatures include Lionfish (Pterois volitans), Porcupinefish (Diodon), and Sweetlips (Plectorhinchus).

Diving in Trincomalee is best experienced from April to October. If you are heading to Hikkaduwa, the optimal window is between November and April.

Local conditions vary by site, with specific locations like Hikkaduwa Gala and Diyamba being characterised by drift diving, where you will move with the current.