MEDHUFAARU

Best months: Jun–Oct

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 - MEDHUFAARU offers some of Hikkaduwa & South Coast's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 28-31°C, warmest March, April, May.

Best timeJun–Oct

WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit

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

Water28-31°C · warmest March, April, May

CharacterWreck dive · max 28m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

Medhufaaru. Now this is a proper wreck, and one of our favourites in Hikkaduwa. She’s a motor vessel, not ancient history, going down in 2009. That means she’s still got a lot of her structure intact, which makes for some great penetration if you’re certified and know your way around. Dropping down, the first thing you notice is the sheer size of her. She lies upright, and you can swim through the cargo holds, engine room, and even the bridge if you’re careful. Light filters in through portholes and cracks, illuminating schools of snapper that swirl inside like liquid silver. Outside, the superstructure is draped in soft corals, providing shelter for moray eels poking their heads from every crevice. We’ve seen colossal groupers lurking in the shadows of the bow, and often find lionfish perched dramatically on the railings. Current can be a factor here, so we’d suggest going at slack tide for the easiest exploration. It’s a site that rewards multiple visits, each time revealing a new detail, a different resident. If you love a good wreck dive, Medhufaaru is a must.