ASIA CARRIER 1

Protected Area

Muthurajawela

Why dive here

With 89+ marine species recorded in the area - including whitetip reef sharks, lionfish and napoleon wrasse - ASIA CARRIER 1 offers some of Kalpitiya & Northwest's richest wreck diving.

Marine lifeWhitetip Reef Sharks, Lionfish and Napoleon Wrasse · 89+ species recorded

CharacterWreck dive · max 7m

The Asia Carrier 1 is one of those wrecks that just delivers. At a shallow 7m, it’s a huge, sprawling site, and we love how the light just floods the deck, illuminating every corner. You’ll find the bow section completely separated from the stern, almost like two distinct dives. We always start at the stern, where the prop is still impressive and often surrounded by schools of trevally. Descending onto the main deck, you can weave through the skeletal remains of the superstructure. It’s a proper playground for divers, with swim-throughs opening into cavernous cargo holds. Keep an eye out for resident groupers lurking in the shadows and the occasional reef shark patrolling the perimeter. Our favourite part has to be the sheer density of glassfish around the mast - they swarm so thick you can barely see your buddy. While it’s shallow, its size and the slight current mean it’s best for divers comfortable with navigation. The Asia Carrier 1 offers a genuinely immersive wreck experience, perfect for a long, relaxed dive.

Typical ASIA CARRIER 1 Dive Profile

Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.

Safety Notes

Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.

Today05:3517:5312h 18m daylightGolden hour 17:25

ASIA CARRIER 1 Wreck History

Year Sunk

1980

Vessel Type

cargo ship

Cause

grounding

The ASIA CARRIER 1 was a motor vessel built in 1957 by the French shipyard Forges et Chantiers de la Mediterranee. For over 20 years, she served as a cargo hauler, and by 1980, under the ownership of Herrowby Shipping Ltd., she was actively engaged in trade routes that crisscrossed the Indian Ocean.

Her long career came to an abrupt halt in November 1980. While on a passage from Kuwait to Chittagong, Bangladesh, the vessel ran into trouble off the coast of Sri Lanka. She ran hard aground near Negombo Point, and despite attempts to salvage the ship, the damage was too severe. The ASIA CARRIER 1 was declared a constructive total loss and left to the mercy of the sea.

Now resting in just 7 meters of water, the wreck has become a fantastic and highly accessible dive site near Kalpitiya. Its shallow depth ensures great natural light and long, relaxed bottom times, making it perfect for novice wreck divers, underwater photographers, and snorkelers. In the decades since its sinking, the hull has transformed into a vibrant artificial reef, teeming with corals and home to schools of colorful fish, turning a maritime disaster into a beautiful underwater ecosystem.