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RFA ATHELSTANE

The RFA Athelstane is a deep dive, dropping to 60 metres, making it one strictly for experienced technical divers. We’re talking about a significant historical wreck here, a steamship bombed by Japanese aircraft in 1942, just after departing Trincomalee. You descend into a deep blue, often with excellent visibility, and the sheer scale of the Athelstane slowly comes into view. What we love about this wreck is the atmosphere. It’s a proper expedition, a journey into the past. The structure is largely intact, though obviously well-weathered, and you can still make out the distinct lines of a cargo vessel. As you drift along the decks, you’ll see the light play through gaps, illuminating schools of fusiliers that flit around the superstructure. Look closer, and you’ll spot a surprising number of macro critters, like flatworms and nudibranchs, clinging to the hull, along with hunting trevally in the currents. Our favourite tip for this one: pay attention to your descent and ascent rates; it's a long way down and back up. The Athelstane is a powerful reminder of Sri Lanka's wartime history, an incredible site for those with the training to explore it safely.