Underwater Museums and Galleries, it comes as no surprise that Sri Lanka is now home to three underwater museums. These three museums were created under the purview of the Sri Lanka Navy, driven by both economic and environmental motives. With tourism being a fundamental facet of the economy, the opening of these underwater museums has become a star attraction for foreigners and locals alike. These galleries are situated across three primary maritime locations; Galle, Trincomalee and Matara, and they have been vital in propelling coral growth and natural fish breeding through the creation of artificial reefs
Underwater Museum – Galle
It is located at a depth of about 50 feet inside the Galle Harbor. All the creations here are made entirely of eco-friendly materials and all the creations are specially designed by the heroic naval personnel. The Underwater Museum Galle has become a flourishing breeding ground for many aquatic creatures and is a testament to the success and hard work executed by the Sri Lanka Navy. You can visit the Galle Museum during the North-East monsoon season. MORE DETAILS …
Underwater Gallery at Sandy Bay Beach – Trincomalee
The second underwater museum located off Sandy Bay Beach, Trincomalee is becoming famous among local and foreign tourists, and was declared open on the 10th of July, 2020. Set at a depth of around 18 meters, this gallery allows avid marine explorers to sightsee during the Southeast monsoon season. MORE DETAILS ..
Blue Beach Island Underwater Gallery – Nilwella
The Blue Beach Island Underwater Gallery located on Nilwella Beach reflects a 100m long and 40m wide model town. This site can be viewed via snorkeling or dinghies with glass bottoms for a mesmerizing glance beneath the surface. It was opened by the Sri Lanka Navy in Matara on the 10th of April 2021. MORE DETAILS …
Tourists have the opportunity to indulge in at least one of these aquatic sites throughout the year.
Tourism, regeneration of corals, and fish breeding remain at the core of this project. After only a few months since their launch, the museums have fostered results in terms of fish breeding, proving that in the months and years to come, these three galleries will be a vital component in creating a flourishing ecosystem within the area.
All three underwater galleries contain sculptures, structures, and other artifacts molded entirely out of eco-friendly materials, discarded automobile parts, concrete, and certain artificial substrates that induce coral growth.
