HMS Hermes Wreck
About this dive site
HMS Hermes is the big one — a Royal Navy aircraft carrier sunk during WWII, now resting upside-down at 45 to 53 m off Trincomalee. It's one of the largest diveable shipwrecks in the world and, honestly, one of the most impressive things you'll ever see underwater. The flight deck is at about 45 m, the keel reaches 53 m.
This is a technical dive. You need advanced qualifications, deep diving training, and ideally some wreck experience before attempting it. We don't run this as a standard recreational dive — but we do offer guided tec dives for qualified divers with the right training and experience. If you're interested, call us and we'll talk through what you need to bring.
The scale of the wreck is hard to describe in text. Gun turrets, deck structures, propellers — the whole thing is covered in enormous coral formations built up over 80+ years. Schools of batfish, trevally, barracuda. It's not a dive you do in an afternoon; it takes a bit of preparation. But if you've got the qualifications and you're serious about diving, HMS Hermes belongs on your list.
What you'll see
- Schools of batfish
- Trevally
- Barracuda
- Massive coral formations on hull
- Grouper
- Rays
- Reef sharks (occasional)
Site highlights
- ✓One of the largest diveable shipwrecks in the world
- ✓WWII Royal Navy aircraft carrier
- ✓80+ years of coral growth
- ✓Flight deck, gun turrets, propellers intact
Currents & Visibility
Experienced guides only. Depth 45–53 m. Visibility 15–25 m in season. Technical dive — call for details.
Recommended courses for this site
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Tell us which sites you want and we'll sort the rest.
Equipment included · Local guides · Small groups
Photos — HMS Hermes Wreck
Questions about HMS Hermes Wreck
“Swami Rock is something else entirely. The statues on the reef, the turtles, the sheer amount of life on the wall — I've dived in Thailand, Indonesia, the Red Sea, and this is right up there. The guides know every inch of these reefs. Highly recommended.”
James T.
United Kingdom · Fun Diving
“Did my Advanced here after getting my Open Water in Koh Tao. The Klathipa deep dive and the wreck dive were both incredible. Small groups, attentive instruction, and the equipment was in excellent condition. I'll be back for the specialty courses.”
Aiko N.
Japan · Advanced Open Water Diver
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Call us or send a message — we'll sort the dates, answer questions, and get you booked in.