Wreck Expedition - Sri Lanka

C-Life Ltd invite you to an exclusive dive holiday in Sri Lanka. Diving The British - worlds first purpose built aircraft carrier HMS Hermes WW2 casualty

• Brand new destination
• Dive stunning wrecks
• Visit unspoilt countryside
• Be the first!

Dates

Cancelled due to Blue O Two going into administration - June 2022

Now peace has come to the country the North East of the Island is open for tourists and for divers to explore this remote area. And what treasures there are to be discovered! There are the numerous wrecks, the most evocative and important being the aircraft carrier Hermes. Sunk by the Japanese Airforce in 1942, she now sits upright in 53 meters, decks and superstructure in the 30-40 meter range. Add to this the remote Great and Little Basses, two remote rocky reefs with historic wreckage, and the abundant scenic diving in the Trincomalee area, this is truly a unique and rewarding diving area waiting to be discovered

This itinerary is more suited to the more experienced diver, wreck Technical Diver enthusiasts and of course photographers. The Hermes is an ideal dive to gain additional Tek training with our Tek Guru Serena Barnard or to try out those new toys. Also a great opportunity for photographers to capture those wide angle competition winning wreck shots. A rare opportunity to come home with unrepeatable photos and memories!

Float away in the heart of the Bay of Bengal in total dive seclusion. Feel the rush of exploring completely virgin dive sites in an ever shrinking world - dive Sri Lanka today before the secret gets out.

HMS Hermes Video

Blue Whale Video

The trip includes

Day 1 - Flights with Sri Lankan Air into Colombo and 40min transfer to overnight stay at the Notary’s House.

Day 2 - Departure to Batticaloa after breakfast (Elapse time 6 hours plus stops. Distance 300km) Arrive Deep Sea Resort B&B basis 6 Nights including 10 Tec Dives with guide. En route to Batticaloa brief stop in Kurunegala known as  the Famous legendary rock  city. After a tea break proceed to Dambulla  the Geographical center of sri lanka to pay a visit to the 1st Cent. Golden cave temple. 450 steps to climb – 90 mins. Drive further to Habarana for an  Optional Elephant safari or Jeep safari to see wild Elephants.  Whilst driving through the  Jungle, get a glimpse of the giant water reservoir at Minneriya built during the 3rd Cent. A.D, Giritale Tank, the giant  reservoir in Polonnaruwa etc. A brief stop at Polonnaruwa to visit a wood carving workshop. Continue towards Batticaloa the lagoon city in the East coast of Sri Lanka famous for “SINGING FISH” The historic wreck of the Hermes lies off the coast of Batticaloa at a depth of 42m-53m.

After dinner, we sit down for a pre-dive briefing meet Dive Guides / Tec deep Instructor and the boat crews. We rig our gear and get ready for the dives commencing next day on wards.

Divers are advised not to bring anything to the surface from the Wreck HMS Hermes without prior written approval of the commissioner of archaeology in Sri Lanka.

Day 3 - After an early breakfast we depart by boat at 0700 hrs to the dive site, drop anchor, and scroll down the shot line so as to get acquainted with the currents and tidal conditions. We hover around 42m- 48m on top of the wreck area. Usually the current is very strong.

We use twin (s-80 / 12 ltr tanks with manifolds and stage tank with EAN Nitorx 50% for the dive. One long dive with two slings one for deco one as an additional bottom gas or after a surface interval go for the 2nd dive with the similar dive gear set up. Usually it’s windy in the afternoon. Therefore it is advisable to finish during the early afternoon. Optional sightseeing tours can be arranged on request.

Or CCR (closed circuit re breather plus one or two bail out cylinders provided as per guests request.

Day 4 - (2ND DAY OF DIVING.)

After breakfast we leave by boat for the 2nd days’ dive. Using similar diving gear to that we used on the first day, we dive to greater depths of about 45 – 50 m to the HMS Hermes (see the GALLERY FOR PICTURES). The guns and shells are visible at about 44m – 48m. The propeller which is still connected to the shaft is located at around 48m. We swim through the wreck, observing, and exploring the scattered military hardware used by air craft carriers during World War II. If you are up to it, we will arrange a site seeing tour of the surrounding areas.

Day 5 - (3RD DAY OF DIVING)

Day 6 - (4TH DAY OF DIVING)

Day 7 - (5TH DAY OF DIVING – A reef diving day)

Day 8 - Transfer back to Columbo 6hrs with over night Hotel and fly home Day 9 - or Day 8 transfer to extension holiday

Dive program includes:

• Five diving days.

• For open circuit centre provides, 12 Ltr X 2 Alu luxfer twin cylinders with isolator manifolds for the back gas air,

• S-80 / S-60 stage cylinders with 50% nitrox for the staged deco starting at 21m plus 02 stage if requested.

• Optional 3 Ltr cylinder with Oxygen filled up to 200 bar. Similar gear twice a day.

• First dive at 0700 hrs 2nd dive at 1130 hrs.

• All dives will be guided by Feli with 900 tec dives on the Hermes wreck.

• Trimix fills available if requested. Helium 11 US$ cents/litrE

For closed circuit re-breather divers we have the following.

• 2 Ltr cylinders (3 pairs)

• 3 Ltr cylinders (12 pairs)

• Oxygen booster to boost Oxygen to 200 bar.

• Full trimix system.

• Minimum certification requirement - CCR - Normoxic with 45m air as diluent. / or higher

• We have in stock Sofno lime 797 grade. Cost US$ 50 for a 4 ltr can.

• Helium in stock

The Deep Sea Resort

Located in Batticaloa on the edge of Sri Lanka's biggest lagoon, the Deep Sea Resort offers you comfortable accommodation with fantastic dive sites just a short boat ride away. And diving with Sri Lanka Diving Tours.

The resort comprises of six rooms, NON A/C or A/C as you prefer. All the rooms available are twin rooms and can be made into a king room by the staff at your request. All six rooms boast a beautiful garden view, private en-suite facilities with shower cubicle, a fridge, free Wifi internet (from 0900-2200hrs) and easy access to the resort restaurant. The resort's restaurant is equipped to cater to the needs of the local and foreign customers and the friendly staff are always on hand to make sure that you have a relaxed and enjoyable stay. The Deep Sea Resort also boasts the only TEC dive centre in Sri Lanka with well-equipped technical and recreational facilities available.

Kit available in resort for us

Ali80 Stage/Bailout with Carry straps filled with 50% to 200b, 3Lt or 2Lt AP Rebreather Cylinders(O2 & DIL), 2 x Ali60 Bailout instead of Ali80 (Resort is purchasing more for 2015 season), Air, Nitrox, Trimix fills, back-up 02 and 50% cylinders on boat, Ali80 Manifold DIN Twinsets available for OC Divers. All Cylinders are DIN M25 fitting.

Prerequisites

30 dives or more with min Tec45/50 and Trimix certification advantageous. CCR Normoxic or Hypoxic certification.

Quick Facts

Average Water Temp: 28C - 30C

Average Air Temp: 28C - 30C

Average Visibility: 10m - 25m

Good for: Blue Whales & Wrecks

All you need to do now is contact the office for the booking forms and return

25% deposit Holiday Deposit required. Scuba Kit may also be hired through C-Life or in resort. Confirmation of the flights etc will be forwarded. Balance required 10 weeks prior to departure.

Itinerary may change slightly by next year due to airline fuel costs and strength of the pound