SUSSEX - Diani Beach & South Coast
Diving the Sussex feels like stepping back into maritime history, just a stone's throw from Diani. This iron-hulled barque, built in 1866 and sunk in 1909, now rests in a remarkably shallow five metres of water. It's a fantastic spot for newer divers or those looking for a long, relaxed dive. We've often spent an entire hour here, slowly circling the hull, poking our heads into the broken holds, and admiring the way the light filters through the structure. Schools of snapper and fusiliers often hang around the deeper parts of the wreck, and if you’re patient, you might spot a stonefish tucked amongst the beams. Just remember it's a dangerous wreck, so we recommend keeping a respectful distance from any unstable-looking sections.
- Location
- Diani Beach & South Coast, Kenya, Indian Ocean & East Africa
- Coordinates
- -4.069416, 39.685696
- Type
- wreck
- Maximum Depth
- 5m
Marine Protected Area: Mombasa
Best Time to Dive in Diani Beach & South Coast
The warmest water temperatures in Diani Beach & South Coast occur in January, averaging 28.1°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 28.1°C.
Monthly Water Temperatures
- January: 28.1°C (air: 27.7°C)
- February: 28.1°C (air: 28.2°C)
- March: 28.1°C (air: 28.1°C)
- April: 28.1°C (air: 26.7°C)
- May: 28.1°C (air: 26.2°C)
- June: 28.1°C (air: 25.3°C)
- July: 28.1°C (air: 24.4°C)
- August: 28.1°C (air: 24.5°C)
- September: 28.1°C (air: 25.2°C)
- October: 28.1°C (air: 26.2°C)
- November: 28.1°C (air: 26.7°C)
- December: 28.1°C (air: 27.2°C)
Nearby Dive Sites in Diani Beach & South Coast
- AGIA MARINA - 18m (wreck)
- ALPHA COMMANDER - 25m (wreck)
- Chale (reef)
- DERNA - 6m (wreck)
- Dzinani (wreck)
- FATIH MUBARAK - 0m (wreck)
- Galu (reef)
- GLOBE STAR - 2m (wreck)
- HIGHLAND LASSIE - 20m (wreck)
- HMS HILDASAY - 5m (wreck)
- HMS SHAPINSAY OR HILDASAY - 0m (wreck)
- Igloo (wreck)
- Jadini (cave)
- Kinondo (wreck)
- Kisima Mungu (Nomads) (reef)
Nearest Dive Centres to SUSSEX
Marine Life in Diani Beach & South Coast
Home to 446 recorded species including 284 reef fish, 96 hard corals, 27 seagrass & algae, 7 sea snails & nudibranchs, 7 sea cucumbers, 5 crabs & lobsters.
Notable Species
- Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas)
- Marbled Parrotfish (Leptoscarus vaigiensis) - Reef Fish
- Cigar wrasse (Cheilio inermis) - Reef Fish
- Hooded oyster (Saccostrea cuccullata) - Clams & Mussels
- Spangled emperor (Lethrinus nebulosus) - Reef Fish
- Silver-streaked rainbowfish (Stethojulis strigiventer) - Reef Fish
- Crested Sabretooth Blenny (Petroscirtes mitratus) - Reef Fish
- Alligator pipefish (Syngnathoides biaculeatus) - Reef Fish
- thalassia (Thalassia hemprichii) - Seagrass & Algae
- mangrove (Rhizophora mucronata) - Seagrass & Algae
- cymodocea (Cymodocea rotundata) - Seagrass & Algae
- seagrass (Halophila ovalis) - Seagrass & Algae
- Shoalgrass (Halodule wrightii) - Seagrass & Algae
- Short-head Sabretooth Blenny (Petroscirtes breviceps) - Reef Fish
- Bullethead Parrotfish (Chlorurus sordidus) - Reef Fish
- gray mangrove (Avicennia marina) - Seagrass & Algae
- Flowery Flounder (Bothus mancus) - Reef Fish
- Species code: Tc (Thalassodendron ciliatum) - Seagrass & Algae
- Species code: Hs (Halophila stipulacea) - Seagrass & Algae
- Rainbow wrasse (Halichoeres iridis) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for SUSSEX
Based on average water temperature of 28.1°C.
- Shorty or Rashguard - warm 28°C water needs minimal exposure protection
- Mask - essential for every dive
- Fins
- BCD - buoyancy compensator
- Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
- Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
- Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
- Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
- Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories