PECHEUR BRETON - Hikkaduwa & South Coast

The Pecheur Breton is one of our favourite deep wrecks in Hikkaduwa, a properly moody dive that feels like uncovering a secret. She’s a big carrier vessel, 87 metres long, and lies upright at 27 metres. We first found her almost by accident, the current pulling us straight onto her bridge, and even now, the sense of scale is impressive. She went down in 1994, apparently on her way to the breakers, so for a relatively young wreck, she feels surprisingly old. The main deck is a good place to start, dropping down into the cavernous holds where we often find big snappers schooling. The light shafts are incredible on a sunny day, cutting through the gloom. Our best dives here have been early mornings, before the day boats crowd the other sites, giving us the Breton all to ourselves. Look for the resident moray eels peeking from every crevice, and the schools of fusiliers can be so thick they genuinely block the light. The stern is particularly photogenic, with its prop and rudder still intact, though be mindful of your depth here. It’s a site that rewards careful exploration, suited to those comfortable at 25-30 metres who appreciate a bit of wreck history.

Location
Hikkaduwa & South Coast, Sri Lanka, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
6.860333, 79.805336
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
27m

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)

Nearby Dive Sites in Hikkaduwa & South Coast

Nearest Dive Centres to PECHEUR BRETON

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

Recommended Packing List for PECHEUR BRETON

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