Nilgiri (Tug Wreck)

Depth: Sitting at around 23 to 32 meters (105 feet) at the seabed.

Visibility: Best from Mid-October/November through April (peak visibility and calm sea conditions).

Experience Level: Advanced Open Water (AOW) divers and above. 

This former harbor tugboat met its end in 1997, floundering during a severe storm while out on a mission assisting another vessel. Today, the ship lies inverted at a depth of 32 meters, creating a dramatic and alien-like underwater landscape that draws divers from around the world.

What Makes the Nilgiri Special?

Unlike most traditional wrecks that sit upright or on their side, the Nilgiri’s inverted position provides an entirely different perspective and dive experience.

The highlight of the dive is reaching the keel, where the tugboat’s twin propellers and rudders stand upright in the blue water, resembling components of a sunken spaceship.

• The site is famous for its resident population of large, remarkably bold lionfish. Unbothered by bubble-blowers, they frequently pose right in front of camera lenses against the backdrop of the rusted steel hull.

For divers exploring Colombo’s deep sites, the Nilgiri offers a rare combination of dramatic topography, unique structural features, and fantastic marine encounters.