7m
    Kalpitiya & Northwest, Sri Lanka

    UNILAXMI

    Best months: Oct–Feb

    Why dive here

    With 89+ marine species recorded in the area - including whitetip reef sharks, lionfish and napoleon wrasse - UNILAXMI offers some of Kalpitiya & Northwest's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 28-31°C, warmest March, April, May.

    Best timeOct–Feb
    WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit
    Marine lifeWhitetip Reef Sharks, Lionfish and Napoleon Wrasse · 89+ species recorded
    Water28-31°C · warmest March, April, May
    CharacterWreck dive · max 7m

    The Unilaxmi is less a wreck dive and more a dive *on* a wreck, if that makes sense. She’s a big old motor vessel, over 100 meters long, and she went down in 1985 while anchored. The official classification calls her "dangerous," which sounds intimidating, but at only 7 meters, we’d say it just means respect the metal. The real draw here is how she’s become a living reef. We love the sheer scale of the Unilaxmi, even in such shallow water. You don’t drop into a dark hold; you swim over a vast, undulating metal landscape. Schools of fusiliers are so thick in places they block the light, shimmering over the deck plating. Look closely at the hull and you’ll spot all sorts of nudibranchs, their colours surprisingly vibrant against the rusty backdrop. It’s an interesting contrast, the stark, decaying steel and the soft, colourful life clinging to it. Our favourite part is finding little pockets where juvenile fish hide, darting in and out of crevices. It's a peaceful, exploratory dive, fantastic for extending bottom time and really soaking it all in. We’d suggest going when the sun is high for the best light penetration across the wreck.

    Typical UNILAXMI Dive Profile

    5mSafety Stop0m7m max~60 min estimated bottom time

    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.

    Today05:3617:3411h 58m daylightGolden hour 17:06

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    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for UNILAXMI

    UNILAXMI Ocean Conditions

    Monthly averages for UNILAXMI, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (8.32, 79.69) (59km away)

    ExcellentGreatGoodFairPoor★Best monthsThis month

    October Averages

    Sea Temperature

    29°C

    84°F · Range: 28.4–29.9°C

    Air Temperature

    27°C

    81°F

    Wind Speed

    8.33 m/s

    16.2 knots

    Atmospheric Pressure

    1009.3 hPa

    Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data

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