Wreck of HMAS Vampire - Trincomalee & East Coast

The HMS St George isn't just a wreck; it’s a time capsule, a huge chunk of naval history resting on the North Sea floor. We love this site not for vibrant corals – you won’t find those here – but for the sheer scale and the incredible story it tells. Dropping onto the St George, you immediately feel the weight of its 230-year slumber. The timbers are dark, gnarled, completely given over to the sea. You can trace the massive keel, imagine the seventy-four guns it once carried, and weave through the ribs of what was once a mighty warship. Our favourite part is finding the scattered cannonballs and the occasional brass fitting, glinting through the silt. This isn’t a dive for the faint of heart; visibility can be temperamental, often swinging from decent to gloomy in a single dive, and currents can pick up. But for those who appreciate maritime history and the eerie beauty of a well-preserved wooden wreck, it’s truly special. Look closely, and you’ll find common sea stars clinging to the ancient wood, and the occasional sand mason tube peeking out from the seabed. It’s a stark, powerful dive that demands respect and rewards patience.

Location: Trincomalee & East Coast, Sri Lanka, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates: 7.583334, 82.083336
Type: wreck

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 Wreck of 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 Wreck of 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