MV EXPRESS PEARL - Kalpitiya & Northwest

The MV Express Pearl, sitting upright at 21m, is a fantastic dive for those who appreciate a wreck with a story and plenty of nooks to explore. We love how intact it still feels; you can swim through the bridge, poke your head into the engine room, and even navigate some of the cargo holds if you’re comfortable with overhead environments and have a good torch. It’s got a slightly eerie but incredibly cool vibe down there, particularly when the light shafts cut through the upper deck. Our favourite part has to be the sheer number of batfish that shoal around the superstructure – sometimes they’re so thick you have to gently push through them. Look out for moray eels tucked into every crevice and the occasional reef shark patrolling the perimeter. This site really suits divers who enjoy methodical exploration rather than just a quick look-see. Try to hit it on an incoming tide for the best visibility, which can make all the difference in appreciating the wreck’s scale.

Location

Kalpitiya & Northwest, Sri Lanka, Indian Ocean & East Africa

Coordinates

7.081000, 79.777500

Type

wreck

Maximum Depth

21m

Marine Protected Area: Muthurajawela