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Friday, March 9, 2012

Dive the Bar Reef in Kalpitiya

                              Dive the Bar Reef in Kalpitiya


                                coral


The Bar Reef is a large patch reef off Kalpitiya, on the northwest coast of Sri Lanka. In 1992 the Bar Reef Marine Sanctuary was established covering an area of 306 square kilometers that included shallow patch reefs, deep sandstone reefs and seagrass beds.The Reef is simply world class and full of marine fish life including Butterflyfish, Bannerfish, Parrotfish, Groupers,manta rays, reef sharks and the occasional turtles.

The Reef is very shallow. Great care must be taken not to sail over the reef. Entry to the reef should be done with the boat anchored on the sandy area away from the reef. While diving is possible it is unnecessary as it can be accessed easily by snorkeling. Diving and Snorkelling are not possible during the southwest monsoon period (May to November). The best times are therefore between late November and early May. Transportation to dive/Snorkelling sites is by a fibre glass dinghy of 25 horse power engine.The underwater currents in the seas off Kalpitiya are generally not strong, but are influenced by small tide changes of two high water and two low water tides. The underwater temperature is approximately 75°F so no wetsuits are required (but thin wetsuits could be worn to protect from any bruising from the coral). 

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