Fees · Destination Guide
Sheltered east-coast bays, local reefs and Batticaloa maritime heritage
Key fee: Sri Lanka tourist ETA, eligible free-visa nationalities
Free ETA (listed 40 nationalities and separate reciprocal categories)
Confirm these fees before you book so your operator plan and day budget match what you will pay onsite.
There is no verified universal Pasikudah Bay marine-park admission/tag fee in the reviewed official sources. Do not infer that the neighboring Kayankerni protected sanctuary extends across all Pasikudah water, or that permissions are unnecessary for a particular reef. Local operator charges are distinct from any protected-area or dive-site approvals. HMS Hermes is specifically listed as requiring prior approval; the fee, process and authority sign-off were not independently established. National ETA charges depend on nationality. Wreck inventory; conservation survey; official visa fees.
| Fee | Amount | Applies to | Where to pay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sri Lanka tourist ETA, eligible free-visa nationalities | Free ETA (listed 40 nationalities and separate reciprocal categories) 30-day tourist stay under the May 25, 2026 scheme; check country-specific exceptions | Travelers holding eligible nationalities; ETA still required before arrival | Where to pay | Fee exemption is not an ETA exemption. Verify that your nationality is listed and conditions have not changed. Immigration notice. |
| Sri Lanka tourist ETA, fee-paying nationalities | Nationality-dependent, official fee schedule Depends on visa category and nationality | Visitors not eligible for a free ETA or applicable exemption | Where to pay | Consult the current government fee table; do not generalize the default paid ETA to every nationality. Immigration fees. |
| HMS Hermes expedition authorization | No independently verified published fee Permission and approved trip-specific conditions, not assumed to be ongoing | Technical divers attempting HMS Hermes | Through a qualified expedition organizer and relevant Sri Lankan authorities; confirmation required | Sri Lanka Sub Aqua Club lists prior approval required and the operator states technical certification minimums. Confirm the relevant Navy/archaeological and site approvals directly before booking; no operator marketing supersedes them. Club inventory; operator. The Navy identifies Hermes as a war grave and prohibits penetration. Confirm the exact authorized profile and qualifications; a provider course label is not authority approval. |
Fee
30-day tourist stay under the May 25, 2026 scheme; check country-specific exceptions
Fee exemption is not an ETA exemption. Verify that your nationality is listed and conditions have not changed. Immigration notice.
Depends on visa category and nationality
Consult the current government fee table; do not generalize the default paid ETA to every nationality. Immigration fees.
Permission and approved trip-specific conditions, not assumed to be ongoing
Sri Lanka Sub Aqua Club lists prior approval required and the operator states technical certification minimums. Confirm the relevant Navy/archaeological and site approvals directly before booking; no operator marketing supersedes them. Club inventory; operator. The Navy identifies Hermes as a war grave and prohibits penetration. Confirm the exact authorized profile and qualifications; a provider course label is not authority approval.