Fees · Country Guide
Sri Lanka
Two monsoons, two dive seasons, one island of reefs, wrecks and wildlife
Fees And Permits
Confirm these fees before you book so your operator plan and day budget match what you will pay onsite.
Fees You Can't Skip
- Tourist ETA for 40 listed eligible nationalities - USD $0
- Tourist ETA for other non-waiver applicants - USD $20 for SAARC tourist applicants or USD $50 for other listed non-waiver online tourist applicants
- Typical payment pattern: Tourist ETA charges depend on passport nationality, and the official rules changed in May 2026.
What people usually pay
Tourist ETA charges depend on passport nationality, and the official rules changed in May 2026. Protected-area tickets and licensed boat costs are separate from the visa and from dive-center prices. A reliable current visitor tariff for Pigeon Island or Hikkaduwa was not independently established, so the output deliberately avoids a fabricated fixed park price. Confirm DWC park access, tour inclusions, camera/boat rules and payment method before departure.
| Fee | Amount | Applies to | Where to pay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist ETA for 40 listed eligible nationalities | USD $0 30 days, with extension rules applying beyond initial approval | Eligible passport holders applying for tourist entry | Where to pay | The official immigration/ETA notices state a fee waiver effective 25 May 2026. ETA authorization remains required; check nationality list and the current application instructions. |
| Tourist ETA for other non-waiver applicants | USD $20 for SAARC tourist applicants or USD $50 for other listed non-waiver online tourist applicants Usually an initial 30-day tourist ETA | Travelers not covered by a current tourist ETA waiver | Where to pay | Fees vary by nationality, submission method, child age, stay and extensions. Check the official fee table immediately before paying. |
| Pigeon Island National Park entry | Current DWC ticket amount not independently verified Per authorized park visit | Visitors entering the Pigeon Island protected area | Department of Wildlife Conservation ticket system or licensed Nilaveli operator | Ask whether the park permit is included in the boat/snorkel price and confirm permitted areas. DWC operates an online park-permit system, but the applicable Pigeon Island tariff was not verified. |
| Hikkaduwa Marine National Park access | Current official visitor charge not independently verified Per authorized visit if applicable | Visitors using protected reef, snorkeling or coral-viewing services | Current Department of Wildlife Conservation instructions / authorized local service | Do not conflate a free beach entry or a commercial glass-bottom ride with any park or conservation levy; obtain the current local tariff and access rules. |
| Kalpitiya Bar Reef and other protected-zone access | Permission and local boat charges vary; no single national visitor fee verified Activity- and zone-specific | Boat trips, snorkeling and scuba in or near marine sanctuaries | Relevant Department of Wildlife Conservation office and permitted operator | Some coral-restoration and restricted zones have separate access controls. Verify that the chosen reef is open and that tour pricing does not imply unrestricted park permission. |
| Special wreck, museum and Navy-area access | Authorization dependent; no fixed public price verified Site and operator specific | Restricted archaeological wrecks, military-linked museums and special expeditions | Responsible authority and authorized local dive operator | HMS Hermes is a deep protected war grave and should not be treated as an ordinary recreational admission ticket. Confirm any actual authorization, certification and legal restrictions in advance. |
Fee
Tourist ETA for 40 listed eligible nationalities
30 days, with extension rules applying beyond initial approval
- Amount
- USD $0
- Applies to
- Eligible passport holders applying for tourist entry
- Where to pay
- Where to pay
- Notes
The official immigration/ETA notices state a fee waiver effective 25 May 2026. ETA authorization remains required; check nationality list and the current application instructions.
Tourist ETA for other non-waiver applicants
Usually an initial 30-day tourist ETA
- Amount
- USD $20 for SAARC tourist applicants or USD $50 for other listed non-waiver online tourist applicants
- Applies to
- Travelers not covered by a current tourist ETA waiver
- Where to pay
- Where to pay
- Notes
Fees vary by nationality, submission method, child age, stay and extensions. Check the official fee table immediately before paying.
Pigeon Island National Park entry
Per authorized park visit
- Amount
- Current DWC ticket amount not independently verified
- Applies to
- Visitors entering the Pigeon Island protected area
- Where to pay
- Department of Wildlife Conservation ticket system or licensed Nilaveli operator
- Notes
Ask whether the park permit is included in the boat/snorkel price and confirm permitted areas. DWC operates an online park-permit system, but the applicable Pigeon Island tariff was not verified.
Hikkaduwa Marine National Park access
Per authorized visit if applicable
- Amount
- Current official visitor charge not independently verified
- Applies to
- Visitors using protected reef, snorkeling or coral-viewing services
- Where to pay
- Current Department of Wildlife Conservation instructions / authorized local service
- Notes
Do not conflate a free beach entry or a commercial glass-bottom ride with any park or conservation levy; obtain the current local tariff and access rules.
Kalpitiya Bar Reef and other protected-zone access
Activity- and zone-specific
- Amount
- Permission and local boat charges vary; no single national visitor fee verified
- Applies to
- Boat trips, snorkeling and scuba in or near marine sanctuaries
- Where to pay
- Relevant Department of Wildlife Conservation office and permitted operator
- Notes
Some coral-restoration and restricted zones have separate access controls. Verify that the chosen reef is open and that tour pricing does not imply unrestricted park permission.
Special wreck, museum and Navy-area access
Site and operator specific
- Amount
- Authorization dependent; no fixed public price verified
- Applies to
- Restricted archaeological wrecks, military-linked museums and special expeditions
- Where to pay
- Responsible authority and authorized local dive operator
- Notes
HMS Hermes is a deep protected war grave and should not be treated as an ordinary recreational admission ticket. Confirm any actual authorization, certification and legal restrictions in advance.