CHIEF DRAGON - Hikkaduwa & South Coast

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.

Location: Hikkaduwa & South Coast, Sri Lanka, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates: 6.958924, 79.762314
Type: wreck
Maximum Depth: 33m

Marine Protected Area: Muthurajawela

Best Time to Dive in Hikkaduwa & South Coast

The warmest water temperatures in Hikkaduwa & South Coast occur in January, averaging 28.4°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 28.4°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

January: 28.4°C (air: 25.8°C)
February: 28.4°C (air: 26.4°C)
March: 28.4°C (air: 27.1°C)
April: 28.4°C (air: 27.4°C)
May: 28.4°C (air: 27.4°C)
June: 28.4°C (air: 27.2°C)
July: 28.4°C (air: 27.0°C)
August: 28.4°C (air: 26.8°C)
September: 28.4°C (air: 26.6°C)
October: 28.4°C (air: 26.4°C)
November: 28.4°C (air: 25.9°C)
December: 28.4°C (air: 25.9°C)

Nearest Dive Centres to CHIEF DRAGON

Dive For You - ["PADI"]
Divinguru Unawatuna - ["PADI"]
Island Scuba - ["PADI"]
Lanka Sportreizen - Marina, Bentota - ["PADI"]
Pearl Divers - ["PADI"]
Polhena Diving Center - ["PADI"]

Marine Life in Hikkaduwa & South Coast

Home to 95 recorded species including 65 reef fish, 6 whales & dolphins, 6 hard corals, 5 sea snails & nudibranchs, 3 other, 2 seagrass & algae.

Notable Species

blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) - Whales & Dolphins
Red lionfish (Pterois miles) - Reef Fish
Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus) - Whales & Dolphins
Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea)
Orange-lined Triggerfish (Balistapus undulatus) - Reef Fish
Species code: Hp (Halodule pinifolia) - Seagrass & Algae
Giant trevally (Caranx ignobilis) - Reef Fish
Barracuda (Acanthocybium solandri) - Reef Fish
Swordfish (Xiphias gladius) - Reef Fish
thalassia (Thalassia hemprichii) - Seagrass & Algae
Black-headed Leatherjacket (Pervagor melanocephalus) - Reef Fish
Narrow-barred Spanish mackerel (Scomberomorus commerson) - Reef Fish
Black-lined Blenny (Istiblennius lineatus) - Reef Fish
Indian Ocean bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus) - Whales & Dolphins
Honeycomb Filefish (Cantherhines pardalis) - Reef Fish
Sand-dusted Cone (Conus arenatus) - Sea Snails & Nudibranchs
marbled spiny eel (Mastacembelus armatus) - Reef Fish
Striped Triplefin (Helcogramma striata) - Reef Fish
Staghorn coral (Acropora hyacinthus) - Hard Corals
Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas)

Recommended Packing List for CHIEF DRAGON

Based on average water temperature of 28.4°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