VALIANT ENTERPRISE - Hikkaduwa & South Coast

The Valiant Enterprise, a steamship grounded off Hikkaduwa since 1967, is one of our favourite shallow wrecks anywhere. She rests in just 6 metres, often less, meaning you can spend ages exploring without watching the clock. We love how her superstructure still looms large, a ghostly shape against the sun-dappled surface. You’ll weave through massive deck plates, past the engine room where light filters in, and even spot the propeller shaft. It’s an easy dive, perfect for newer divers getting their first taste of a proper wreck, or for photographers wanting ample bottom time. Shoals of snapper and fusiliers dart through the hull, and we’ve often found scorpionfish tucked into crevices. Look closely for nudibranchs clinging to the metalwork. Go early if you can; the visibility is usually best before the afternoon breeze picks up, and the light streaming into the wreck is truly something else.

Location: Hikkaduwa & South Coast, Sri Lanka, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates: 7.008472, 79.864170
Type: wreck
Maximum Depth: 6m

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)

Nearest Dive Centres to VALIANT ENTERPRISE

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 VALIANT ENTERPRISE

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