Which gulf lies between India and Sri Lanka?

The gulf that lies between India and Sri Lanka is the Gulf of Mannar.

This shallow body of water forms part of the Laccadive Sea, between southeastern India’s Tamil Nadu coast and Sri Lanka’s northwestern coast. It is separated from the Bay of Bengal and Palk Bay by the Palk Strait and the chain of shoals and islands known as Adam’s Bridge or Rama Setu.

The Gulf of Mannar has supported maritime trade and fishing for thousands of years. Ancient ports such as Korkai were associated with the Pandyan kingdom and became important centers for pearl fishing. Classical writers, including Pliny the Elder, described the region’s pearl fisheries as exceptionally productive.

The gulf is also one of South Asia’s richest marine environments. Its waters support coral reefs, sea turtles, dolphins, sharks and dugongs, often called sea cows. More than 3,600 species of flora and fauna have been recorded in the region. A frequent confusion is with the Bay of Bengal: the Bay of Bengal is the larger sea to the northeast, while the Gulf of Mannar is the smaller gulf directly between India and Sri Lanka.