48-55m
    Expert
    Trincomalee & East Coast, Sri Lanka
    Kayankerny MSAN

    HMS Hermes

    Best months: Jan–Dec

    Protected Area

    Kayankerny MSAN

    Why dive here

    With 254+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, dolphins, sea turtles, sperm whales and spinner dolphins - HMS Hermes offers some of Trincomalee & East Coast's richest wreck diving. Water sits around 27°C.

    Marine lifeBarracuda, Dolphins, Sea Turtles, Sperm Whales and Spinner Dolphins · 254+ species recorded
    Water27°C · warmest January, February, March
    CharacterWreck dive · max 48-55m
    StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

    The Hermes is not just a dive, it’s a pilgrimage for those who truly appreciate wreck diving. Lying deep, between 48m and 55m, this WWII aircraft carrier swallowed by the Indian Ocean in 1942 feels immense, even at that depth. We love tracing the flight deck, imagining the planes still there, a real sense of history pressing in around you. It's an expert dive, no question, and you’ll want proper gas planning and experience with deep wrecks. The visibility can be excellent, though sometimes a thermocline will bring a chill and a slight haze. Our favourite part is dropping down the funnel, a massive void that still feels like a ship's beating heart, now home to schools of palani and sleek unicornfish that dart through the structure. We’ve found the best time to dive is early morning before any potential surface chop builds, and always with a good guide who knows the entry points into the hangar decks – exploring those dark spaces is where the Hermes truly reveals her secrets. The sheer scale, the way light filters down into the structure, it all makes for an incredibly atmospheric dive.

    Typical HMS Hermes Dive Profile

    15m30m45mSafety Stop0m48m max~15 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

    Maximum depth 48m exceeds recreational limits (40m). Technical diving certification and equipment required.

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

    Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.

    Today05:2617:4612h 19m daylightGolden hour 17:17

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    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for HMS Hermes

    HMS Hermes Ocean Conditions

    Monthly averages for HMS Hermes, sourced from NOAA buoy data - nearest station: Open-Meteo grid (8.36, 81.44) (0km away)

    August Averages

    Sea Temperature

    27.39°C

    81°F

    Air Temperature

    28.94°C

    84°F

    Wind Speed

    6.08 m/s

    11.8 knots

    Atmospheric Pressure

    1007.5 hPa

    Based on 5 years of monitoring data · Data sources: NOAA NDBC

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