wreck

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CHRYSSOPIGI CROSS

The Chryssopigi Cross wreck in Hikkaduwa is one of those sites we always come back to when we’re in the area. It sits shallow, just ten metres down, making it perfect for a long, relaxed dive or even a snorkel if the conditions are calm. This isn’t some deep, dark mystery; it’s an accessible wreck, spread out on a rocky bottom, and it’s seen a lot of action since she went down in 1977. What we love about the Chryssopigi Cross is how much of it you can still make out. The bow section is particularly intact, a substantial structure where you can peer into what were once holds. We’ve spent many an hour here watching schools of snappers dart in and out of the metal framework. Look closely and you’ll find moray eels tucked into crevices, their heads poking out with that characteristic wary stare. The wreck itself has become a rock garden, draped in soft corals and anemones, which add a surprising splash of colour to the rust. We find it’s best dived in the morning, before the afternoon winds tend to pick up, keeping the visibility at its clearest. It’s a great site for newer wreck divers or anyone who appreciates history, especially with that impressive 146-metre length to explore.