HMAS VAMPIRE - Trincomalee & East Coast

The HMAS Vampire is a proper dive, no doubt about it. We love a historical wreck, and this one, sunk by Japanese dive bombers in 1942, has a real story behind it. Sitting bolt upright at 50 metres, she's certainly a deep dive, making it one for experienced divers with the right training and gas. Dropping down onto her deck, the sense of history is immediate. You can still make out the gun mounts and parts of the superstructure, now heavily encrusted. Schools of fusiliers often mill above the deck, and we've seen dogtooth tuna cruise by in the blue. Inside, penetration is limited, but we’ve poked our heads into a few of the more accessible compartments, spotting lionfish tucked into shadowy corners. Our favourite part has to be the stern, where the prop is still visible, a dramatic sight against the deep blue. Conditions here can vary, but when the current is mild and the visibility good, it’s an incredible dive, well worth the logistical effort.

Location: Trincomalee & East Coast, Sri Lanka, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates: 7.750000, 81.800000
Type: wreck
Maximum Depth: 50m

Marine Protected Area: Kayankerny MSAN

Best Time to Dive in Trincomalee & East Coast

The warmest water temperatures in Trincomalee & East Coast occur in January, averaging 27.4°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 27.4°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

January: 27.4°C (air: 25.8°C)
February: 27.4°C (air: 26.3°C)
March: 27.4°C (air: 27.3°C)
April: 27.4°C (air: 28.2°C)
May: 27.4°C (air: 28.9°C)
June: 27.4°C (air: 29.6°C)
July: 27.4°C (air: 29.4°C)
August: 27.4°C (air: 28.9°C)
September: 27.4°C (air: 28.7°C)
October: 27.4°C (air: 27.2°C)
November: 27.4°C (air: 26.0°C)
December: 27.4°C (air: 25.9°C)

Nearest Dive Centres to HMAS VAMPIRE

Coco Diving Trincomalee - ["PADI"]
Dive For You - ["PADI"]
Epic Ocean Adventures - ["PADI"]
International Diving School Trincomalee - ["PADI"]
Poseidon Diving Centre - ["PADI"]
Sri Lanka Dive School

Marine Life in Trincomalee & East Coast

Home to 259 recorded species including 205 reef fish, 16 hard corals, 14 sea snails & nudibranchs, 7 sharks & rays, 6 seagrass & algae, 5 whales & dolphins.

Notable Species

Giant trevally (Caranx ignobilis) - Reef Fish
Big-eye trevally (Caranx sexfasciatus) - Reef Fish
Golden trevally (Gnathanodon speciosus) - Reef Fish
cloth-of-gold cone snail (Conus textile) - Sea Snails & Nudibranchs
Jack (Selar crumenophthalmus) - Reef Fish
Silver Sillago (Sillago sihama) - Reef Fish
Red lionfish (Pterois miles) - Reef Fish
Species code: Ea (Enhalus acoroides) - Seagrass & Algae
Bicolor Blenny (Ecsenius bicolor) - Reef Fish
Wrasse (Stethojulis interrupta) - Reef Fish
Small-eyed Squirrelfish (Myripristis murdjan) - Reef Fish
Necklace Cone (Conus monile) - Sea Snails & Nudibranchs
Manini (Acanthurus triostegus) - Reef Fish
Spangled emperor (Lethrinus nebulosus) - Reef Fish
Blue-lined Surgeonfish (Acanthurus lineatus) - Reef Fish
Redcoat (Sargocentron rubrum) - Reef Fish
Five-lined snapper (Lutjanus quinquelineatus) - Reef Fish
Herring Scad (Alepes vari) - Reef Fish
Dusky Wrasse (Halichoeres marginatus) - Reef Fish
Blue and Gold Fusilier (Caesio caerulaurea) - Reef Fish

Recommended Packing List for HMAS VAMPIRE

Based on average water temperature of 27.4°C.

Shorty or Rashguard - warm 27°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