Overview
The seagrass beds of the western and northwestern Sri Lanka coast — extending through the Gulf of Mannar, around the Kalpitiya waters, and along the Bar Reef margins — form part of the Indian Ocean’s most ecologically significant seagrass habitats. These underwater meadows support the last remaining dugong population in Sri Lankan waters, provide nursery habitat for hundreds of juvenile fish species, feed sea turtles, and support seahorses, pipefish, and specialist invertebrates. The seagrass ecosystem is directly visible to snorkellers in the shallower sections near Kalpitiya and the Gulf of Mannar islands, and its health is intimately connected to the health of the reef and coastal fishing ecosystems that depend on it.
Highlights
- The most ecologically significant seagrass habitat on Sri Lanka’s western coast
- Sri Lanka’s last dugong population feeding in these beds
- Sea turtle grazing habitat throughout the shallow gulf
- Seahorses and pipefish in the seagrass structure
- Nursery habitat for hundreds of juvenile fish species sustaining coastal fisheries
- Directly visible to snorkellers in the shallow sections
- The health of the seagrass is an indicator of the entire coastal ecosystem
- Part of the Gulf of Mannar UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
Best Time to Visit
November–April for the clearest snorkelling visibility.
Activities
- Snorkelling over the seagrass beds
- Dugong watching (specialist guided)
- Sea turtle encounter
- Marine ecology study
| Detail | Information |
|——–|————-|
| Location | Gulf of Mannar and Kalpitiya waters |
| Significance | Last dugong habitat in Sri Lanka |
| Best Season | November–April |
| Access | Boat from Kalpitiya |
| Distance from Colombo | 145 km |
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# Southwest Hidden Coastal & River Systems (1–20)
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