Batticaloa

This district in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka is one of the best destinations for wreck diving. Here rests one of the most popular shipwrecks in the world – the HMS Hermes. The former World War II aircraft carrier that sunk in 1942 off the coast of Batticaloa is arguably the most famous dive site in Sri Lanka. The shipwreck is 167 meters /547 feet long and lies at a depth of about 56 meters/184 feet. This is a very interesting dive, with significant artifacts still to be seen. The wreck is also home to an abundance of marine animals such as jacks, tuna, barracudas, rays, snappers, crabs, nudibranchs, among others.
The SS Sir John Jackson is another famous wreck dive site worth exploring. The former British steamship that went down in 1908 can be found in only 9 meters/30 feet of water, making it accessible to divers of all levels.

Kalpitiya

Kalpitiya is located in the Puttalam district, in the North-Western Province of Sri Lanka. It consists of 16 islands and has only recently started developing as a tourism destination. This proved beneficial for the reef system, which remains in good condition. The region has a high significance; 156 species of coral and 283 species of fish reportedly live here. When diving here, check out Bulldog Reef – a shallow reef famous for its flatheads, which are very rare in other parts of the country.

Colombo

Colombo is one of the top starting points for exploring Sri Lanka’s numerous wrecks. One of them is the Taprobane East wreck, a small barge covered with colorful soft corals and visited by a large variety of fish, including Napoleon wrasses. Chief Dragon is another popular wreck in Sri Lanka. The 112-meter/367-foot long car transport vessel is now scattered over a large area with broken chassis of cars all over her main deck. Colombo is also a good starting point for exploring the coral reefs nearby, such as the Gorgonian Gardens, at the South Gale Reef.