Are there dangerous sea urchins on Sri Lankan beaches?

Dangerous sea urchins, with sharp venomous spines, are found along rocky coastlines and in shallow coral reefs in Sri Lanka. If you step on one, you may get intense pain, and a localised infection can also follow.

You tend to see them more often around shallow snorkelling spots where the seabed is rocky, for example, Hikkaduwa, Pigeon Island, and some sections of Unawatuna. To prevent painful wounds, do not walk barefoot on submerged rocks or on dead coral. Instead, always wear protective, thick-soled water shoes when you are exploring those shallow reef ecosystems.