Travel

Flight options

Our holidays to Sri Lanka are typically quoted with Sri Lankan flights from Heathrow direct to Colombo. We are however able to book most major airlines. If you would like to depart from a different UK airport (eg. Glasgow/Edinburgh, Manchester, Birmingham or Gatwick) or have a specific airline you prefer to fly with, simply let us know in your booking request. A supplement may apply for regional departures. Times and any applicable supplements will be confirmed by your travel consultant before you finalise your holiday. If you wish to make your own flight arrangements to Colombo, let us know and we can remove the cost of the international flights from your quote. We are unfortunately not able to redeem airmiles on your behalf. Please do not confirm any flight arrangements yourself before your holiday is confirmed by us.

Stopovers

The most common stop over point en route to or from Sri Lanka is Dubai. We are able to book several hotels here. Many customers also chose to take the short flight to the Maldives from Sri Lanka. These two destinations combine perfectly to build a longer itinerary. Talk to your travel consultant about creating a bespoke holiday.

Arrange before you go

Visa requirements

All UK visitors to Sri Lanka need an entry visa (valid for a 30days) prior to travel approx £40: Apply online here . It is your responsibility to ensure your passport is valid and you fulfil entry requirements. Regulations can change: please review current FCO advice: click here

Insurance

Scuba Travel requires all of our customers to have diving insurance. Please make sure that you have appropriate cover for your diving activities. We also strongly recommend you have travel insurance. It's worth taking out travel insurance once you have paid your deposit to ensure you are covered for unforeseen events and cancellation. Find out more about our combined dive and travel policy click here

Immunisations

Please speak to your local GP or check out the latest NHS advice on travel immunisations: click here

Preparing to fly

Seating

You will also be able to manage your booking online once you have been ticketed (after you have paid your holiday balance). Most airlines will now enable you to select your seating at this point. There may be a small charge for prebookable seating before online check in opens. Please speak to the airline for more information about charges.

Check in

As you are flying with a scheduled airline, you will be able to check in online with your airline. Please visit their website for more information about when online check in opens.

Lounge

An airport lounge is a great way to start your holiday or to while away flight connections in comfort. Scuba Travel works with Lounge Pass to offer a huge range of affordable airport lounges around the world. click here

Parking

Prebook your airport parking to save money! If you have a long way to travel, why not also look at booking an airport hotel. These aren't as expensive as you might think. click here

What happens when I arrive?

On arrival in Sri Lanka, you will need to clear immigration and collect your baggage. You will then be met outside of arrivals by a representative from your liveaboard or resort. They will be holding a board with either your destination or your name on it. If you have any issues at all locating your rep, please contact us. We have an emergency contact, manned by a member of the team here in the UK. Please call 0044 7747 488 002. We will be able to help your rep locate you in the airport.

Transfers

Depending on your itinerary, you will usually require a land or air transfer from Colombo airport. It takes approx 45mins -1 hour to clear immigration and collect your baggage. Negombo hotels are around 20mins from Colombo. The Dickowita harbour is around 40mins from Colombo. If you are visiting the national parks (eg Yala) or Kandy, transfers may take several hours by road. Due to local traffic and road conditions, land journey times can be difficult to predict. We recommend you take water with you and keep any essentials in your hand baggage to make your journey as comfortable as possible. If you are heading to Trincomalee you will be met on arrival and taken to the charter flight departure point. This may be by fixed wing aircraft or helicopter. Currently the baggage allowance on these flights is 30kgs hold. Please be aware your hold baggage may not travel on the same flight as you so we recommend keeping your valuables and travel essentials in your hand baggage. We endeavour to keep the transit between flights as short as possible and your transfer will normally take place within 3 hours of your international arrival, but please be aware, you may have to wait at the airport between flights.

Departures

You will be taken back to Colombo airport in time for your international flight. Domestic flights and transfers will arrive in time for you to make your connections. Typically you will arrive at the airport 1 1/2- 2 hours before your flight time. There is currently no departure tax when leaving Sri Lanka.

Info

Included in your holiday

All staterooms are air-conditioned and fitted with private toilets, showers, sinks and hair dryers. Breakfast (cooked to order), buffet lunch and an elegant meal at dinner with tableside service are served in addition to fresh mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacks. Beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) are complimentary while onboard. Linens are changed as requested and fresh towels are placed in each stateroom as needed. Filled tanks, weights and weight belts are included. Flights from from London Heathrow and transfers are included.

Excluded

Excluded from your package are any rental kit hire, nitrox, and on board souvenirs. Please see the on board extras tab for a more comprehensive list of local charges.

Tipping

Crew gratuities are not included in the charter. Aggressor believe gratuities should be voluntary and based upon the quality of service the crew has provided. When settling your account Friday morning, the Captain will have an envelope for gratuities that will be divided equally among the crew. Payment can be made by cash, traveler’s checks or credit card.

Currency

Local currency is the Sri Lankan Rupee. (Approximately LKR 135 = USD $1). Payments onboard can be made by cash (USD or Sri Lankan Rupee), traveler’s checks, Visa or MasterCard credit card.

Phone coverage

Email is available onboard through the satellite system. There is a charge for incoming and outgoing email. Private calls may be made from the yacht.

Plugs and electricity

Electrical outlets onboard are standard 220volt European

Extras

Hire equipment

A full line of Aqua Lung Rental gear is available aboard including regulators, BCDs, Dive Computers, and Night Lights. If any of your dive equipment fails while onboard, the crew will loan you equipment free of charge, compliments of Aqua Lung. The Sri Lanka Aggressor is unable to provide rental wetsuits.

Extras

The marine park fee is USD $100 and the port fee $50

Souvenirs

There is a mini-boutique onboard with assorted t-shirts, and miscellaneous items.

Nitrox/Gas

Available

Payments

Deposits and Balances

A typical deposit for Sri Lankan Aggressor will be £600 for a 7 night trip. This will be due once your holiday has been confirmed. Your balance will then be due 90 days before travel.

Ways to pay

We charge 2% on credit card transactions but nothing on UK debit card payments. All non sterling card payments will be subject to the 2% surcharge. Alternatively, you are welcome to pay via bank transfer. Overseas transfers must add £6 to the sterling total to cover international handling fees. We are not able to accept PayPal transactions. 

Group Payments

If you have booked as part of a group, you can still call and pay directly without needing to go via your group leader. Please have your trip reference number to hand to help us locate your holiday as quickly as possible. You will receive a transaction receipt - your group leader will forward your ATOL certificate and booking confirmation