SSI Underwater Navigation in Hikkaduwa - Price, Duration & Booking

Name: SSI Underwater Navigation in Hikkaduwa
Price: 5400 INR
Availability: PreOrder

Course overview

Build precise underwater navigation skills with the SSI Navigation specialty in Hikkaduwa. On the town's sloping reefs and coral gardens you learn to find your way by compass and natural features, a key skill for locating wrecks and reef structures on Sri Lanka's south coast. You finish certified as an SSI Navigation diver, ready to lead dives with confidence.

What you’ll learn

Use a compass to hold accurate underwater headings
Navigate by natural references like reef shape and depth
Estimate distance using kick cycles and time
Follow reciprocal, square and search-pattern courses
Mark and return to a point of interest
Plan and execute a navigation route independently

Prerequisites

Minimum age 10
SSI Open Water Diver (or equivalent)
Basic buoyancy control
Diver medical clearance signed by a physician

What's included · What's not

Included

Navigation digital academics
Three navigation dives on local reefs
Compass-pattern and reciprocal-heading practice
Natural-navigation and distance-estimation drills
Search-pattern and relocation exercises
SSI digital learning materials and app-based record
Navigation specialty certification on completion

Not included

Flights and airport transfers
Accommodation
Travel insurance
Personal expenses
Gratuities

The SSI Underwater Navigation pathway

The SSI Navigation specialty counts toward the SSI Specialty Diver and Master Diver recognitions, with theory delivered digitally and certification recorded in the SSI app.

Where you'll dive in Hikkaduwa

Training uses Hikkaduwa's gently sloping reefs and coral gardens, where calm seas and good visibility from November to April give ideal conditions for mastering compass and natural-reference navigation.

Prefer a different certifying agency?PADI Underwater Navigation in Hikkaduwa →

Not included? Sort the rest of your trip

Flights and accommodation aren’t part of the course price, here’s how to book them around your dates.

Getting there

Fly into Colombo (CMB) · 2-3 hours from India.

Where to stay

Hotels and stays near the dive sites, compare rates and book direct.

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Probability of sightings · month-by-month

What you're likely to see each month, based on historic operator logs.

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Day-by-day itinerary

Day1

Navigation skills day

Digital review, then three dives on Hikkaduwa's reefs practising compass and natural navigation, distance estimation and search patterns to certify.

Verified through iDive

Every partner school in the iDive network is vetted on safety, instructor credentials, equipment standards and student feedback. Talk to a iDive dive pro on WhatsApp for current availability and reviews specific to Hikkaduwa.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need before starting?

You need SSI Open Water Diver, or an equivalent entry-level certification, to enrol.

How many dives does it include?

The specialty includes three navigation dives covering compass, natural and search-pattern skills.

How is it different from the PADI navigation course?

The skills are equivalent. SSI uses digital academics and records your certification in its app, while the in-water training is comparable.

Why learn navigation at Hikkaduwa?

It helps you locate coral gardens and wreck sites and confidently lead dives back to the boat or shore exit.

When is the best time to dive Hikkaduwa?

Peak season is Jan–Apr, Nov–Dec, clearest visibility, calmest seas. Shoulder (May, Oct) is still good with fewer crowds.

Do Indians need a visa for Sri Lanka?

eVisa (ETA). Confirm latest requirements before booking flights.

How long is the flight from India?

2-3 hours · one-way fares around ₹10K-18K.

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