CHIEF DRAGON

Best months: Jan–Dec

Protected Area

Muthurajawela

Why dive here

With 91+ marine species recorded in the area - including blue whales, giant moray eels, humpback whales, orcas and sea turtles - CHIEF DRAGON offers some of Hikkaduwa & South Coast's richest wreck diving. Water sits around 28°C.

Marine lifeBlue Whales, Giant Moray Eels, Humpback Whales, Orcas and Sea Turtles · 91+ species recorded

Water28°C · warmest January, February, March

CharacterWreck dive · max 33m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

The Chief Dragon is one of those wrecks we keep coming back to. We find her sitting upright at 33 metres, her sheer size immediately apparent. She’s a big bulk carrier, 112 metres long, and has been down since ’83, giving the ocean plenty of time to turn her into a reef. Descending, you can often feel a slight thermocline around 20 metres, then the water cools a little and visibility often opens up as you reach the deck. There’s plenty to explore here. We love dropping into the cargo holds, where the light filters down in eerie shafts, illuminating schooling snappers and fusiliers. Keep an eye out for giant morays peeking from the darker recesses and the occasional reef shark patrolling the perimeter. The engine room is accessible if you’re comfortable with overhead environments, a truly atmospheric penetration for experienced wreck divers. This site is a proper deep wreck dive, best for advanced divers comfortable with depth and currents, which can pick up a bit out here. Go early in the morning for the calmest conditions and best light.