Wreck of Great Basses wreck - Hikkaduwa & South Coast

Diving Scapa Flow isn't just about dropping onto a wreck; it’s an immersion into history, cold, and a surprising amount of green. We love the sheer scale of the remaining German High Seas Fleet, particularly the feeling of finning over the giant battleships. Take the *Kronprinz Wilhelm*, for example. You descend into that low visibility, maybe 10 metres on a good day, and suddenly the silhouette of the hull just *appears*. It’s often a bit silty, so your torch beam picks out the detail: rivets, deck plating, sometimes an intact gun turret. The best part? It’s not just metal. The wrecks have become artificial reefs. We’ve seen saithe schooling through the superstructure and the hull plates covered in a thick carpet of Irish moss and carragheen, swaying with the slight surge. Inside, if you’re properly trained and equipped for overhead environments, you might find pipefish tucked into crevices. Be prepared for strong currents, especially on a spring tide; pick your slack water window carefully. It’s a dive for those who appreciate the chill, the dim light, and the quiet awe of history underwater. Not for the faint of heart, but utterly compelling.

Location
Hikkaduwa & South Coast, Sri Lanka, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
6.180555, 81.480550
Type
wreck

Marine Protected Area: Great Basses and Little Basses Marine Sanctuary

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 Wreck of Great Basses wreck

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 Wreck of Great Basses wreck

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