SECUNDRA - Hikkaduwa & South Coast

The Secundra, a steamship that sank back in 1904, lies in such shallow water it’s almost unbelievable. Eight metres, max. We’re talking about a wreck dive where you can almost always see the surface, which makes it perfect for those newer to wreck diving or anyone who just fancies a really relaxed explore. You’ll find the remains of the hull spread out across the rocky seabed. It’s not one of those intact wrecks you can penetrate, but we love how the ocean has reclaimed it. Large sections of twisted metal are draped in soft corals, and there are schools of snapper that seem to permanently hover over the bigger plates. Look closely, and you’ll spot moray eels tucked into the crevices, their heads poking out with a watchful gaze. We’ve even seen blue-spotted rays resting in the sand nearby. The light here is usually fantastic, painting the whole scene in a beautiful, filtered blue. It’s a gentle introduction to Sri Lanka’s underwater history and a really pleasant way to spend an hour.

Location: Hikkaduwa & South Coast, Sri Lanka, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates: 6.016667, 80.216670
Type: wreck
Maximum Depth: 8m

Marine Protected Area: Rumassala SAN

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 SECUNDRA

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 SECUNDRA

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