Experience the enchanting Indian ocean of beauty, life, and splendour surrounding the pristine beaches of Sri Lanka without having to dive deep. On a sunny day, effortlessly float on mesmerizing blue waters of Sri Lanka, adorned with exotic reefs and tropical marine life, and get a glimpse of sea turtles swimming alongside colorful pacts of reef fish that are putting up a magical show for you!

If you thought exploring this exotic island is all about the land excursions, wait till you snorkel underwater. It is a whole new world of marvel waiting to be explored. The kind of adventure you will ease and float through while time stands still.

Whether you are a pro swimmer or not, snorkeling is an easy, risk-free, fun activity that you can enjoy alone or even with your family. While there are many places around the island where you just have to put on a snorkel mask and get into shallow water directly from the shore. And there are also spots you are required to get a little more geared by wearing a pair of swim fins, getting on a boat, and traveling further into the deep sea to explore the magnificent beauty of Sri Lankan waters.
While there are many snorkel-friendly spots in Sri Lanka, we have summarized the best out of the lot. So, let's go exploring.

Hikkaduwa:
Adorned with coral reefs and enriched with a colorful underwater ecosystem, Hikkaduwa is undoubtedly one of the best spots in Sri Lanka to experience the splendor of snorkeling. The best part is, that you can experience all this just not more than 200m away from the shore in shallow water making Hikkaduwa perfect even for a beginner.
Best time to snorkel: November - March

Pasikudah:
Dive straight out of a yacht and snorkel through the splendid coral reefs in the deep blue waters of the east coast, perfectly lit by sunshine. If you are not a bad swimmer with a heart for adventure and enjoy secluded beaches, Pasikudah may be the best snorkel spot for you on the island.
Best time to snorkel: June to October

Unawatuna:
Two snorkeling spots in one place? Yes, Unawatuna bay with small shipwrecks, coral reefs, and rocks, and the Jungle bay with coral reefs and glorious marine life, are both equally great spots for snorkeling around Unawatuna. Both with very shallow entry points can be explored directly from the shore, or by getting on a boat and moving further away from the shore.
Best time to snorkel: November - March

Kalpitya:
With splendid sightings of sea turtles, tropical marine life, and even reef sharks, Kalpitiya on the west coast of Sri Lanka is a snorkeling paradise for you who is an enthusiastic diver. Plus, with the largest reef in Sri Lanka located just an hour away from Kalpitiya, this snorkel spot is simply underrated.
Best time to snorkel: October - May

Pigeon Island:
With surreal picture-perfect seascapes, Pigeon island is perfect for a serious snorkeling enthusiast. A 15min boat ride from Trincomalee will take you to this exotic island on the east coast of Sri Lanka, surrounded by clear blue water jeweled by protected reefs that are home to clusters of small fish, reef sharks, and tropical marine life. A snorkeling expedition on Pigeon island is truly an adventure in itself.
Best time to snorkel: June to October

Apart from these, many more spectacular snorkel-friendly spots are scattered around the island in places such as Galle, Weligama, Negambo, Polhena, Koggala, Mirissa, etc.
No matter where you choose to snorkel in Sri Lanka, swaying in slow motion amid radiant tropical marine life will be an experience you will keep coming back to.