Scuba diving Cargo Wreck – Mount Lavinia

Scuba diving the Cargo Wreck off Mount Lavinia is a uniquely evocative experience that combines history, adventure and vibrant marine life in Sri Lanka’s shimmering tropical waters. Lying approximately seven kilometers south of the Mount Lavinia shoreline, the wreck—once a coastal freighter that ran aground decades ago—has since become an artificial reef, its rusted hull and collapsed decks now encrusted with corals, sponges and anemones that attract dazzling schools of neon-striped fusiliers, curious parrotfish and the occasional moray eel peeking from a porthole. As your dive boat glides across the gently rolling swells from the Mount Lavinia boat jetty, you’ll catch a final glimpse of Colombo’s skyline receding behind you before slipping beneath the surface to explore a world transformed by time and tides. Under water, the wreck’s superstructure offers myriad swim-throughs and ledges: drift through once-sealed cargo holds now illuminated by shafts of sunlight, pause at the helm where barnacles cling in intricate patterns, or drift along the keel, brushing past starfish and gentle nudibranchs grazing on coral. Depths range from about 12 to 24 meters, making the site accessible to both advanced open‐water divers and those seeking a guided introductory wreck dive, with local dive masters leading the way, sharing stories of the ship’s final voyage and pointing out hidden crevices where ghost pipefish or shy lionfish may lurk. Above water, pre-dive briefings are conducted at a friendly waterside shop on Beach Road in Mount Lavinia, where equipment fitting is swift and professional—wetsuits, tanks and weight belts are all included—and operators emphasize reef-friendly diving practices, reminding visitors to avoid contact and secure gauges and cameras to protect delicate growth. After your dive, a leisurely surface interval aboard a shaded deck allows you to sip fresh coconut water, marvel at the azure horizon and swap underwater snapshots with fellow divers. As the boat returns to shore, the scent of sizzling hoppers and the distant call of sea birds welcome you back to the bustling coastal suburb of Dehiwala–Mount Lavinia, where you can unwind in a beachside café or watch the sun dip below the Indian Ocean. Whether you’re a seasoned wreck enthusiast chasing new challenges or a curious first-timer eager to discover Sri Lanka’s undersea treasures, the Cargo Wreck dive offers an unforgettable blend of maritime heritage, ecological wonder and the sheer thrill of exploring a silent sentinel beneath the waves.