Getting PADI certified on the east coast.

Arugam Bay is structurally a surf town and completely lacks the calm clear reefs required for proper beginner scuba training. If you want to get your PADI Open Water certification on the east coast during the summer you absolutely must travel further north to Trincomalee or Nilaveli. The water there is perfectly flat crystal clear and features massive shallow coral gardens making it an incredibly safe and highly beautiful environment for learning to dive with highly professional established dive centers.