Dive Ship Wrecks (www.DiveSriLanka.com)
Echoes from the past

A brief of famous ship wrecks around the coast of Sri Lanka


For millennia, paths of travelers from strange lands beyond and yonder have fallen across a small island of paradise in the Indian ocean that will one day be known as Sri Lanka. Traders and invaders have come and gone; remnants of their legacy evident only by the infusion to the islands culture and the derelict remains of their transportation, once mighty symbols of trade, commerce and imperial power, now mere echoes from the past resting beneath the waves of the coastal seas. These are the ancient ship wrecks of Sri Lanka, testimonials of a rich and long cultural history and portals from the present to a bygone era that once were.

Based on historical records there are over 200+ estimated ship wrecks around the coast of Sri Lanka. Many have been located and the search continues to this day using advanced resonance scanning technology. Five hundred years of trade, commerce, conflict and war from the times of the Portuguese, Dutch and the British resulted in vast amount of shipping traffic all around the coast of Sri Lanka and thus the reason for the proportionately high number of wrecks.

< Left: SS Perseus One of the most beautiful deep wrecks of Sri Lanka off Colombo

Listed below are few of these very famous ship wrecks that are hundreds of years old. Wreck diving in Sri Lanka is an amazing experience not to be missed by any diver visiting this land.

Read my book "Ghosts of the Deep - Diving the shipwrecks of Sri Lanka" for the complete story of all known wrecks

Welcome to the past!

Wreck and Year of sinking
Location
Depth
Boat Time*
Our Rating
Commercial Dive Center Access
Worth mentioning...
Black Coral Wreck Colombo 40 M 40 Mins Excellent Yes A medium sized wreck witha single boiler covered with beautiful black coral. Reccommended for technical divers.
Lotus Barge Colombo 28 M 35 Mins Excellent Yes A small barge resplendent with marine life. Simillar to the Toilet Barge
Cardinal Barge Colombo 29 M 90 Mins Below Average Yes A small wreck, in a bad state but with reasonably good marine life, namely Cardinalfish and Snappers. Not really worth diving if you are diving off Mount Lavinia, South of Colombo
Clarke Wreck Colombo 29 M 70 Mins Good Yes The wreck on which world famous Science Fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke conducted his last SCUBA dive at the age of 74 in March 1992.
MV Astoria(?) Colombo 24M 45 Mins Average No Special permission is needed to dive this wreck which sank off very close to the Colombo Harbour in 1997
Toilet Barge Colombo 32M 45 Mins Good Yes A small age of steam ship with excellent marine life and an usual feature - a toilet!
Thermopylae Sierra Colombo 23M 20Mins Excellent Yes The Cypriot owned Wreck Thermopylae Sierra was parked at the Colombo outer anchorage for more than 3 years as a result of a wage dispute between the owners, workers and the Sri Lankan Ports. Neglect took its toll and finally, on the 23rd of August 2012 it sank before our very eyes. One and a half years later we return to the ship and enjoy a fantastic dive to a unique ship wreck that is trapped between two worlds...

Taprobane North Wreck

(Perseus 1917?)

Colombo
40M
1.5 H
World Class
Yes
A massive ship, intact and lying on pristine sand. A haven for shoals of fish and a place of pristine wilderness and 30M+ Visibility! We suspect this to be the British Armed Merchant Perseus sunk off Colombo in 1917 by a German Mine Layer. Investigations underway to ascertain this ships identity.
Taprobane North Barge
Colombo
40M
1.5 H
Excellent
Yes
A smaller wreck located not far from the above wreck. Similarly pristine conditions and covered with colorful soft coral
SS Worcestershire
Colombo
57M
40 Min
Excellent
Yes
Technical Decompression Dive. We The ship is badly broken but marine life is simply amazing. DiveSriLanka.com has now identified this to be the World War I sea mine casualty the British Armed Merchant Ship SS Worcestershire sunk in 1917!
Chief Dragon Car Wreck
Colombo
34.5M
45 Min
Excellent
Yes
The Colombo Car Wreck is now divable again! Just 4 KM off the city of Colombo this is a superb wreck to dive and explore. A very large area of wreckage provides a haven for shoaling fish and big Groupers. The caves of sorts at stern is a place to be! DiveSrilanka.com has now identified this to be the Honda Heavy Industries built vehicle carrier MV Chief Dragon.
Taprobane East Wreck
Colombo
32M
45 Min
Excellent
Yes
In the pristine far off shore reefs of Taprobane the visibility is over 20M on average. Here in an Caribbean like setting we have our Heaven on Earth. A picturesque ship wreck that is a must dive.
Battery barge
Colombo
45M
30 Min
Excellent
Yes
A deep oasis full of fish life and colorful corals. its generally too deep for a proper single tank dive so is a favorite for Technical Divers.
Medhufaru
Colombo
30M
15Min
Excellent
Yes
The newest ship of the block! Sunk 31st of May 2009 this ship was made accessible for divers in 2011. Surprisingly good marine life for a ship that just sunk. Proves a invaluable point that shipwrecks can soon turn to reefs even few years after sinking. Highlight of the dive is to explore the earth moving Backhoe on the deck. Another can be found under the decks. Excellent place for Lionfish (and on the hunt!)
Pecheur Breton Cargo Wreck
Colombo
33M
30 Min
Excellent
Yes
A huge intact cargo ship which was sunk recently. Identity yet to be discovered but supposedly an Indian steel carrier that sunk in 1993. The ship lies on its starboard side and provides a huge area for exploration. DiveSriLanka.com has now identified this to be the Pecheur Breton.
Trug
Colombo
33M
30 Min
Excellent
Yes
A huge sunken barge that rests up side down. All the action is at 30M and the site is full of Lion Fish who are easy to approach. In addition various other marine life such as small Groupers, Pufferfish, Trevally and Stingrays can be seen
The Coal Ship
(Hardingham or Delhi Coal?)
Colombo
26M
30 Min
Average
Yes
A nice dive. The ship is broken into two parts and lie abotu 20m/30m to each other. Can find schools of Snappers and Blue Spotted Stingrays in the sand. A bunch of over enthuastic Cleaner Wrasses can be quite annoying sometimes specially if you hadn't had a bath for a while.
Hardingham
Colombo
(Harbor.)
21M
N/A
Not Evaluated
Special permission required
The Hardingham blew up after being towed out of the Colombo Harbor where she caught fire.
MV Tricolor (?) Beruwala 65M 45 Min Excellent No Still under exploration and investigation this is the deepest shipwreck in Sri Lanka. Click here for more information.
The Conch
Hikkaduwa
20M
45 Min
Excellent
Yes
A "should do" dive for the wreck enthusiast! One of our favorite sites. Click here for more information about the wreck and pictures.
Earl of Shaftesbury
Hikkaduwa
12-14M
35 min
Good
Yes
An old British iron sale ship. Literally a "wreck" but significant components are still recognizable and a decent dive experience on a sandy bottom.
Norsa
Hikkaduwa
15M
35 min
Not Evaluated
Yes
A British steam ship build in 1889
Aenos 1956
Dodanduwa
Unknown
Unknown
Not Evaluated
Yes
A freighter of Greek origin carrying 6000 tons of Manganese, struck a rock called "Rala Gala" in early 1956.
Arcturus
Galle
18M
60 Min
Not Evaluated
Yes
A British steam ship built in 1870. An area known as the "Mada Gala" or the "Brown Rock" close to Galle is the final resting place of this ship.
Alliance
Galle
23M
Not Evaluated
Yes
A wooden sail boat with charcoal onboard. British origin.
Avondster
1659
Galle
(Harbor)
5M
5 Min
Not Evaluated
Special permission required
The Avondster, owned by the Dutch East India (VOC) company (but originally and English sip), was partly loaded with Areca nuts when it sank after slipping anchor and hitting the shore. The site is 50 M away from the Marine Drive in Galle and lies in the heart of the Harbor.
Bottle Wreck
Galle
24M
Unknown
Not Evaluated
Yes

An unknown ship lying on a sandy bottom in front of Galle harbor.

Crispigi Cross
Galle
16M
Unknown
Not Evaluated
Yes
The Cross had it's cargo holds full of rice and paint when it sank in front of the Galle Hospital in the 80's.
Dolfijn
1663
Galle
(Harbor.)
Unknown
Unknown
Not Evaluated
Special permission required
A VOC ship sank in the Galle Harbor. because of neglect and poor maintenance. The crew was too exhausted to operate the ship properly after operating the pumps day by day to keep her from sinking as she had taken in a great amount of water.
Ethopy 1877
Galle
15M
60 Min
Not Evaluated
Yes
The Engine and many large sections of this cargo ship can be explored.
Hercules
1661
Galle
(Harbor.)
Unknown
Unknown
Not Evaluated
Special permission required
Discovered in 1993 by the Western Australian Maritime Museum which was assisting the Government of Sri Lanka conserve the extensive legacy of wrecks around Sri Lanka (Galle Harbor. Project). The wreck was discovered with the finding of a heavily encrusted bronze bell with the inscription 'AMOR VINCIT OMNIA ANNO 1625' . A search through the Dutch Archives and a 17th century map of Galle placed the bell at the same location of the wreck. About 30 large Cannons were later located from the same site (South of Gibblet Island)
Lord Nelson
Galle
Unknown
Unknown
Not Evaluated
Yes
A modern boat that sank in a storm in the year 2000.
SS Orestes
Galle
(Harbor.)
24m
15 Min
Good
Yes
Based on several circumstancial evidence, there is a high probability that this wreck is the SS Orestes.
Rangoon
Galle
30M
20 Min
Excellent
Yes
This is a sailing steam ship built in 1863 and sank just outside the Galle harbor after striking the outer Kada rock while here engines were shutdown while loading local mail enroute to Australia. Quite a scenic wreck with shoals of Snappers and a popular resort dive from Unawatuna
Flute Overness 1704
Great Basses
Unknown
Unknown
Not Evaluated
Yes with special arrangement
Unexplored by DiveSriLanka.com
Alette Adriana 1760's
Great Basses
Unknown
Unknown
Not Evaluated
Yes with special arrangement
Unexplored by DiveSriLanka.com
Daedulus
Little Basses
Unknown
Unknown
Not Evaluated
Yes with special arrangement
The 40 gun frigate Daedulus sunk 2nd of July 1813
HMS Hollyhock
Kalmunai
42M
1 Hour
Excellent
Yes with special arrangement
A world class dive near a deep drop off at the edge of the continental shelf! Recommended for Technical Divers. THIS IS A WAR GRAVE. The British Royal Navy Flower Class Corvette HMS Hollyhock was sunk by a Japanese bombing raid on the 9th of April 1942 with 14 casualties. The bombs inflicted severe damage to the hull.
MFA Athelstane
Kalmunai
42M
1 Hour
Excellent
Yes with special arrangement
The last ship to be sunk by the Japanese bombing raid during World War II, the Athelstane sank a few hours after the HMS Hollyhock and in the vicinity. One bomb exploded in oil tank 3 splitting the ship at the stern side.
MV Ledra
Kalmunai
13M
15 Mins
Below Avg
Yes with special arrangement
In 1967 the diesel powered MV Ledra ran aground in front of Kalmunai. Today she is a shallow wreck spread over a large area and also subject to illegal salvage. Parts of it can be still dived.
H.M.S Hermes
Batticaloa
42M-54M
N/A
Lifetime Experience
(Excellent+)
Yes with special arrangement
This is the famous British Air Craft Carrier H.M.S Hermes which was sunk by Japanese ZERO's during World War II in 1942. A dive for the very experienced only.
Boiler Wrecks (SS Brennus & Sir John Jackson)

Batticaloa

9M
20-25 Min
Good

 

The ideal post Hermes dive. If not still a great dive for divers of all calibre and one of the top fun dives in the country. DiveSriLanka.com believe that these wrecks are the SS Brennus and Sir John Jackson. It has also been incorrectly identified as Lady Blake. The existence of this ship is doubtful and not verified.
MV Cordiality Trincomalee (Pulmudai to North) 18M 10 Mins from Pulmudai or 2 Hours from Trinco
Excellent
Yes

One of the best ship wreck dives in Sri Lanka! The massive MV Cordiality with a full load of the mineral Ilmonite was sunk off the coast of Pulmudai by LTTE Terrorists in the late 90's. Now more than a decade later this is a haven for Fishlife!

This ship is no longer divable as it is sadly being salvaged denying Sri Lanka of a World Class Wreck Dive.
The reson for salvage may be valid as the ship may be an obstruction to approaches for marine traffic to the state mineral corporation.

The British Sergeant
Vakarai
26M
30Min
Excellent
Yes
This massive cargo ship was sunk along with the famous British Air Craft Carrier H.M.S Hermes during World War II in 1942. A great dive for all levels of divers. The ship wreck has two parts probably because of breakup during sinking. The bow and the stern areas can be clearly distinguished. The highlight of the ship is the massive cavern amidships.
Lady McCullum SS
Vakarai
17M
15Min
Average
Yes
A small wreck which lies near a rocky reef. Ship life is average yet a easy wreck for beginner Divers to explore
Gladys Moller SS and the wreck graveyard in Passikudah
Wreck
Fish Life
10M
40 mins
Average
Yes
The Gladys Moller flounderd off the shallow bakers rocks in 1942.Today she remains strewn over a considerable area among the rocks. Hardly any ship shape remains but its a nice and easy shallow dive for any level of experience.
Condolidated Catalina PBY-5A Aircraft
Wreck
Fish Life
Scenic
42m 45mins Good Not opened for diving yet

DiveSriLanka.com unravels the mystery of aircraft wreckage found off the coast of Kalkudah in the east coast of Sri Lanka. This scenic dive site is full of marine life and contains wings, wheels with parts of undercarriage, propellers and engines. It is an intriguing dive site to explore and discover.

** This site is not available for diving yet **

Admiralty Floating Dock 26
Trincomalee
(Harbor)
Unknown
N/A
Not Evaluated
Special permission required

One of the largest ship wrecks in the world, this 80,000 Ton dry dock is over 1000 ft long and 200 ft wide. AFD26 was moored beside the 30,000 Ton battleship Valiant when a giant buoyancy tank broke loose. The impact of these tanks from AFD23 caused extensive damage to the Valiant and thus she was retired from service.

Here is an amazing and hitherto unheard account of the sinking of Admiralty Floating Dock 23 on August 08, 1944 at the Trincomalee Harbor. This account is brought to us by Geoff Spooner as narrated to him by his father Commander Spooner RN Rtd. At that time Commander Spooner was Executive Chief Engineering Officer in HMS Renown and experienced the sinking first hand.

World War II Aircraft Trincomalee
(Harbor)
24M 15 Mins Average to Good

Yes

Believed to be one of eight British RAF Hawker Hurricanes that was felled down by the fierce Japanese Zero onslaught during the second attack of Ceylon by the Imperial Japanese Navy. Might be a boring dive to the average diver but exciting as hell to the wreck diver/historian.

(This dive site is only accessible through the Sober Island Resort within the Trincomalee Naval Bay. The one of a kind resort is owned and run by the Sri Lankan Navy. Click here for more information)

Sri Lankan Navy Chinese Gun Boats Trincomalee
(Harbor)
18 M 25 Mins Good

Yes

Two Chinese build Navy Gun Boats sunk by limpet mine damage in the 1990's. A very rare twin site where two ships are side by side just a few fin strokes away.

(This dive site is only accessible through the Sober Island Resort within the Trincomalee Naval Bay. The one of a kind resort is owned and run by the Sri Lankan Navy. Click here for more information)

Irrakandy Wreck (SS Ava)
Trincomalee
9.5M
40 Min
Excellent
Yes
One of our favorite dive sites in Trinco. The ship is really a wreck but full of fish all the time. If you are lucky you'll be visited by the Captain... Click here for more info and pictures. DiveSriLanka.com believes that this is the SS Ava
H.M.S Diomede
Trincomalee
42M
30M
Below Average
Yes
H.M.S Diomede, a 44 gun 5th rate built by James Martin Hillhouse, Bristol in 1781 for action in the American Revolutionary Wars. She was sunk after running aground on a rock during the campaign to capture Trincomalee from the then Dutch occupation of Sri Lanka. This is an interesting dive for those who are interested from an history or acheology sense but for those who wish for clear visibility and fish life this site is nothing much.
Kapungoda Wreck 1
Negombo
Unknown
Unknown
Not Evaluated
A ship wreck lying south of Negombo.
Kapungoda Wreck 2
Negombo
Unknown
Unknown
Not Evaluated
A ship wreck lying south of Negombo.

 

*NOTE: Boat Times mentioned here vary according to the location of departure. We have tried to specify the "worse case" boat time based on the
dive centers in the region. Actual travel times could be shorter. Most of the dive sites in Galle are only accesible through the dive centers based in Hikkaduwa and Unawatuna.
From Hikkaduwa, the boat ride to Galle is longer.