THERMOPYLAE SIERRA - Hikkaduwa & South Coast
The Thermopylae Sierra sits upright on the seabed at 22 metres, a fairly recent wreck, scuttled in 2012. This bulk carrier is enormous, 155 metres long, offering plenty to explore. We found the sheer scale impressive, especially when you swim along the deck towards the bridge, where schools of batfish often hang out. It’s a good wreck for those who enjoy penetrating larger structures, with wide-open cargo holds to fin through. Keep an eye out for resident groupers and lionfish tucked into crevices. This site suits divers comfortable with depth and navigating a big wreck.
- Location
- Hikkaduwa & South Coast, Sri Lanka, Indian Ocean & East Africa
- Coordinates
- 6.786949, 79.840530
- Type
- wreck
- Maximum Depth
- 22m
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
- AENOS - 2m (wreck)
- ALSIA - 2m (wreck)
- ASCALON - 2m (wreck)
- ASTORIA - 18m (wreck)
- Avondster - 5M
- Barrakuda Point
- Black Coral Wreck - 40 M (wreck)
- Blue Water Dive Center
- Cargo Wreck - 20 metres/65 feet (wreck)
- CHIEF DRAGON - 33m (wreck)
- CHRYSSOPIGI CROSS - 10m (wreck)
- Crow Island - 10m (reef)
- Dakune Gala
- Diyamba Gala - 33m
- Eel Rock
Nearest Dive Centres to THERMOPYLAE SIERRA
- 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 THERMOPYLAE SIERRA
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