Sri Lanka Navy Underwater Museums

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Navy Underwater Museums

Sri Lanka's Navy has established three unique, eco-friendly underwater museums, starting with a sculpture park near Galle Harbour suitable for divers. This was followed by the Trincomalee museum off Sandy Bay, which features two submerged, decommissioned Navy gunboats (Jagatha and weeraya) alongside replicas of ancient cannons and sculptures.

A third site was planned for Nilwella. These initiatives serve the dual purpose of enhancing marine tourism and facilitating the regeneration of corals and fish breeding, thus actively contributing to the preservation of Sri Lanka's marine ecosystems.

Galle Underwater Museum

Galle Museum

Trincomalee Underwater Museum

Trincomalee Museum

Nilwella Underwater Gallery

Nilwella Gallery

Trincomalee Underwater Museum
Trincomalee
Underwater Museum

Trincomalee

Sandy Bay, Trincomalee Depth: 60 Feet Established: 10 Jul 2020

Located off Sandy Bay beach, the Trincomalee Underwater Museum is Sri Lanka's second artificial Museum, established by the Navy. The main attractions are two decommissioned Navy gunboats, the Ex- SLNS Jagatha and Ex- SLNS Weeraya sunk at a depth of about 60 feet.

The site also includes various eco-friendly sculptures and cannon replicas. Spanning a large area, these submerged features promote the growth of corals and provide a rich habitat for fish, offering a unique and biologically diverse experience for certified divers.

Key Features:

  • Two decommissioned Navy gunboats
  • Eco-friendly sculptures
  • Cannon replicas
  • Coral growth promotion
  • Rich marine habitat
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Underwater Museum

Galle

Galle Depth: 50 Feet Established: 17 June 2020

The Galle Underwater Museum, the first created by the Navy, is located near the Galle Harbour at about 50 feet deep. It features an underwater sculpture park of artifacts and plaques made from eco-friendly concrete.

The main purpose is conservation: the structures act as artificial Museum, encouraging coral regeneration and fish breeding. The site's accessible depth makes it suitable for divers and snorkelers.

Key Features:

  • First Navy underwater museum
  • Underwater sculpture park
  • Eco-friendly concrete artifacts
  • Coral regeneration site
  • Snorkeling friendly
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Galle Underwater Museum
Galle
Nilwella Underwater Gallery
Nilwella
Underwater Gallery

Nilwella

Nilwella Depth: 30 feet Established: 10 April 2022

The Nilwella Underwater Gallery is located off the Nilwella coast in shallow waters (10-30 feet), making it suitable for snorkeling and beginner divers. This large gallery features numerous human-made sculptures, cultural figures, discarded vehicles, and aircraft parts.

Arranged to resemble a sunken town, this gallery's primary purpose is conservation: these eco-friendly installations act as substrates for new coral growth and create a thriving fish breeding habitat in the Southern waters near Nilwella.

Key Features:

  • Shallow water (beginner friendly)
  • Human-made sculptures
  • Sunken town arrangement
  • Fish breeding habitat
  • Perfect for snorkeling
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Featured Videos

Visit Underwater Museums

Galle

Explore the first underwater museum created by the Sri Lanka Navy.

Trincomalee

Discover the sunken Navy gunboats at Sandy Bay, Trincomalee.

Nilwella

Experience the sunken town gallery perfect for snorkeling.