Bentota and Beruwala

Before payment, ask for the operator's current dive-center status, instructor credentials, chosen site depth, boat captain, rescue equipment, functioning oxygen, emergency communications, return-to-boat plan, and cancellation policy. LSR advertises a boat-equipped dive base and small guided groups, but equipment inventory and individual departures are not independently inspected. Follow training and certification limits, surface with a signaling device when appropriate, and avoid decompression, overhead and deep dives without specific qualifications and support. Do not freedive alone. If a diver develops possible decompression illness or serious symptoms, stop diving, provide appropriate first aid oxygen if trained and equipped, and activate local emergency services. DAN guidance advises professional care and consultation rather than self-directed recompression. The SLTDA recreational guideline specifies a recent medical certificate, appropriate qualifications, a maximum of five guided divers per instructor or divemaster, emergency oxygen and a prohibition on dives deeper than 30 m. A historical deeper site list does not override this guidance.

For urgent care call 1990 (Suwa Seriya ambulance). Use 106 for marine distress and 119 for police. As of a 2026 clinical report, the operational national hyperbaric treatment facility was at the Sri Lanka Navy diving facility in Trincomalee, a separate coast; this is not a quick local resort transfer. Sri Lanka Coast Guard also identifies Trincomalee as the recompression location. Ask the dive provider and insurer for an actual hospital and evacuation route, not an assumed transfer time. The UK government health guide cautions that serious-care access outside main cities may be limited and transport to Colombo may be necessary. For dive-medical advice contact DAN emergency support after activating local services.

Avoid standing on coral, collecting shells or other marine life, feeding fish or chasing turtles. Keep fins and gear clear of benthic habitat and ask before photographing wildlife with lights. The Sri Lankan Fisheries Department lists coral reef and artificial substrate conservation regulations; their application to a specific boat route or protected zone must be checked locally. No named Bentota/Beruwala marine park permit, anchoring exception or conservation fee was verified here. For suspected pollution, the Marine Environment Protection Authority accepts reports on 1949. Do not equate operator descriptions of coral or turtles with guaranteed encounters or ecological-condition certification.