The 8 Snorkelling Trips in Sri Lanka That Earn Their Price

1.Snorkeling with Turtles in Mirissa

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 268 reviews · from $25Our pick

Meet at Araliya Restaurant near Mirissa, walk about five minutes to the beach, and spend an hour snorkeling with a private guide. Look for turtles, coral, and fish from shore, with equipment, safety help, and underwater photos and videos included. Guide Punsara is one named contact.

“The guide was very kind and helpful. It didn't take many minutes before he could show us the first turtle. We saw several turtles, both small and large. We were also offered to swim out to look at the fish in the coral reef, which we accepted. We ended up swimming in the middle of a large shoal of fish. Although the water was not completely clear, it was certainly an experience to recommend!”

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2.Snorkeling Experience with Turtles

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 123 reviews · 1 hour · from $29

Join a small group of up to eight for a one-hour turtle snorkeling trip near Mirissa. Guides such as Amil, Pasi, and Sandesh provide gear, safety help, seaweed for turtle viewing, and boat photos or videos. Tuk tuk pickup from Mirissa is included.

“5 stars - was a great experience! Would definitely recommend.”

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3.Mirissa Unforgettable Snorkeling Experience with Turtles

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 120 reviews · from $24

Meet the Mirissa Adventure team for a two-hour private snorkeling trip near Mirissa. Your instructor provides gear, a short lesson, water guidance, snacks, and a freshwater rinse. Expect close turtle encounters, small fish, some coral, and possible pickup from Mirissa-area hotels.

“It was fun swimming with the turtles. However, there is nothing else to see as such apart from the turtles and some little fish. Quite crowded also.”

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4.Whales Watching and Navy Island Snorkeling Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 81 reviews · 5 hours · from $84

Start early at Trinco Bay Dive Center with tea or coffee, then watch for whales and spinner dolphins offshore before snorkeling near Navy Island. Your guide provides equipment, safety support, fruit, and free underwater photos and videos. Whale sightings depend on season and sea conditions.

“Great experience! We strongly recommend. The staff was extremely professional and friendly, we saw everything that we wanted and even more (whales, dolphins, sea turtles etc.). 100% must in Sri Lanka.”

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5.Snorkeling at Pigeon Island

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 66 reviews · from $42

Take a round-trip boat from the Nilaveli area to Pigeon Island National Park, then snorkel for about three hours in a marked area. Gear and boat transport are supplied, and groups are capped at seven. Add hotel transfers, a guide, or lunch if needed.

“Booked at the last minute and it turned out I was the only one on the boat from the location south of Nilaveli… a restaurant on the beach. The trip to Pigeon Island was a 10 min hop.”

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6.From Uppuveli Beach: Pigeon Island Snorkeling Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 58 reviews · 3 hours · from $50

Meet at Trinco Bay Dive Center near Uppuveli Beach for a guided boat trip to Pigeon Island. Snorkel among coral, tropical fish, turtles, and Black Tip Reef Sharks in a small boat of up to seven people. Bring shoes, a towel, sun protection, and LKR 13,000 for park entry.

“We swam with turtles and sharks. Amazing! The ocean was a bit bumpy but besides that we still had the chance to see many fishes. The guides have been really good too!”

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7.Snorkeling Trip To Pigeon Island

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 38 reviews · 3 hours · from $17Best value

Spend three hours snorkeling around Pigeon Island Marine National Park near Nilaveli. Shared boat transport, mask, fins, safety jacket, and water are included. You snorkel without a guide, with chances to see turtles, blacktip reef sharks, rays, colorful fish, and surviving coral.

“L’activité est plaisante, mais le rapport qualité / prix n’est pas bon. C’est trop cher pour une prestation qui, au final, se résume qu’à nous amener et nous ramener à 5min de bateau et prêter des masques. En plus de payer la prestation il faut payer « l’entrée de l’île » qui s’élève au moins à 70€. Sinon une fois sur place rien à dire, l’endroit est magnifique et on y voit réellement beaucoup de requins et quelques tortues !”

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8.All Inclusive Mirissa Whale & Dolphin Watching + Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 3 reviews · 6 hours · from $145

Leave Mirissa at dawn for a four-hour whale and dolphin cruise, with snacks, a guide, and a chance to see marine life in the open Indian Ocean. After a local lunch, swim with turtles for 90 minutes, then finish with a beach beer. Sami and his team lead the trip.

“Whale watching was incredible, we saw one whale bellyflop. Snorkelling part not so great, too crowded with 20 people fighting for one turtle. Pretty fish and corals though. I'd recommend to just do the whale watching without snorkelling and lunch.”

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