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Gala pita gala dive site, Sri Lanka

Stay in Unawatuna: see the trip Its beds, the way there and every spot near it.

Also within 20 km of Unawatuna

About Gala pita gala dive site

A reef dive. It goes down to 25 m. You get in from a boat. It suits Advanced divers and up, as a dive guide states it. The coast faces SW: swell from the SW reaches it, and wind from the NE blows out to sea. 5 dive centres or shops within 10 km, the nearest 1.1 km away. The sea is about 28°C in January, its coldest month (3 mm wetsuit), and 30°C in April, its warmest (rash vest or 1 to 2 mm). For experienced divers the best months are usually January, February, March and April, with about 7 good days in 7; in July, about 4. From the weather of past years. The town to stay in is Unawatuna. Within 5 km we also list 6 surf spots and 2 dive sites.

  • What it is Reef.
  • How deep Down to 25 m.
  • Getting in From a boat.
  • Who it suits Suits Advanced divers and up, as a dive guide states it.
  • Dive centres 5 dive centres or shops within 10 km, the nearest 1.1 km away.

Facts: verified.

Dive centres nearby

The nearest named dive centres and shops within 25 km, in a straight line; training agencies where the map states them. Listings, not a recommendation. Dive centres: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Credits

Water about 28°C: 3 mm wetsuit. Typical sea temperature for the time of year, not a forecast.

Visibility about 8 m. Typical for the time of year, estimated from ten years of NASA satellite water clarity, not a forecast. Clearest in Mar (about 20 m).

This week's visibility, the current and the life no free forecast gives. Ask a dive centre before you book.

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Book the trip

From Chicago: about 31 h 15 door to door, one way. An estimate; the journey never changes the score.

  1. Fly. Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to KCT, changing at Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Bandaranaike International Colombo Airport (CMB).

    See flights ORD → KCT · Skyscanner from about £805 returnAd

  2. Getting there. 35 min from the airport to Gala pita gala dive site.

    Car hire · Discover CarsAd

  3. Accommodation.

    Stay in UnawatunaAd

    Typical prices for a double room that month, not a quote.

    Room photos are examples, not these hotels (credits).

    See all places to stay on Booking.com →

    Closest towns to stay in

    Typical prices for a double room that month, not a quote. Distances are straight lines unless a drive is given: a site out at sea is reached by boat.

  4. Hire and lessons.

    Dives and courses in Unawatuna · GetYourGuideAdDive gear hire in Unawatuna · GetYourGuideAd

Everything else for the trip

Where it is

Gala pita gala dive site on Google Maps · Directions

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Forecast

Best on Sun 18: Sea 1.5 m. Wind 4 kn gusting 8.

The score for experienced divers, coloured as on the area pages:GoodFairPoor

DayScoreSeaWindGusts
Sun 18Oct801.5 m4 kn8kn
Mon 19Oct761.6 m3 kn6kn
Tue 20Oct761.6 m5 kn7kn
Wed 21Oct781.5 m1 kn5kn
Thu 22Oct791.4 m9 kn12kn
Fri 23Oct801.5 m9 kn12kn
Sat 24Oct791.5 m10 kn15kn
Sun 25Oct771.6 m9 kn13kn
Mon 26Oct791.5 m7 kn13kn
Tue 27Oct801.4 m8 kn13kn
Wed 28Oct0–––

Day scores are the conditions out of 80, from the two best daylight readings: a morning and an afternoon dive. Sea is the open water's waves near the site, in metres. Wind and gusts are in knots (10 kn is about 19 km/h); "boats in" marks gusts that keep dive boats in. This week's visibility, the current and the life no free forecast gives.

The season

Good diving days in a typical week, each month, for experienced divers, from 2016 on (ERA5 history scored the same way).

  1. Jan7of 7
  2. Feb7of 7
  3. Mar7of 7
  4. Apr7of 7
  5. May5of 7
  6. Jun5of 7
  7. Jul4of 7
  8. Aug5of 7
  9. Sep6of 7
  10. Oct7of 7
  11. Nov7of 7
  12. Dec7of 7

Typical, not a forecast: the sea and the mean wind of each day, with no gusts or rain in the history.

Rough cost

About £1,000–£2,015 each for 6 nights, 2 people sharing. A guide from typical prices, not a quote. Dives are not priced yet: we have no sourced price for a guided dive, so they are not in it.

  • Flights £805–£1,675
  • To the UK airport £35–£65
  • Taxi £15–£25
  • Stay £75–£125
  • Food £70–£125

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