The British Admiral shipwreck lies off the rugged west coast of King Island, Tasmania, where the barque struck a reef on its maiden voyage from Liverpool in 1874 and sank in less than 30 minutes. Today the wreck site offers adventurous snorkelers and divers a chance to explore remnants scattered across the reef in the shallow, surge-prone waters near British Admiral Beach — a remote, windswept stretch of coastline known for its wild beauty, dramatic dunes, and treacherous sea conditions.
British Admiral (wreck)
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Poor conditions. Stay out today.
Showing last known conditions
Wave Height 1.7 mSwell Period 11 sWind Speed 7.2 knPrecipitation 9.6 mmTidal Phase slack
Last evaluated
DANGER: Explicit Risks Present
British Admiral (wreck) has hazards marked as danger. Entering the water here means you may face serious risks to your personal safety.
- Rough ocean swells danger
King Island's west coast is exposed to the full force of the Southern Ocean, producing large, unpredictable swells that make entering and exiting the water hazardous.
- Strong currents danger
Powerful tidal and wind-driven currents sweep along the reef where the wreck lies, posing a serious risk to snorkelers.
The spot
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Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
Know before you go
Logged by the community, confirmed by mods
High risk: Rough ocean swells
King Island's west coast is exposed to the full force of the Southern Ocean, producing large, unpredictable swells that make entering and exiting the water hazardous.
High risk: Strong currents
Powerful tidal and wind-driven currents sweep along the reef where the wreck lies, posing a serious risk to snorkelers.
Moderate risk: Cold water temperatures
Southern Ocean waters around King Island stay cold year-round, with typical temperatures between 10-14°C, requiring thick wetsuits and risking hypothermia.
Moderate risk: Remote location
British Admiral Beach is extremely remote with limited mobile reception and no immediate emergency services. Self-sufficiency is essential.
Low risk: Sharp reef
The reef that sank the British Admiral remains jagged and exposed, with sharp edges that can cut exposed skin and damage gear.
Wildlife Guide
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Getting in
Shore entry
Entry
British Admiral Beach is located on the west coast of King Island, approximately 10 km south of Currie. Access is via a rough unsealed road from the main Currie-to-Grassy road. A 4WD vehicle is strongly recommended. The beach itself requires a short but steep walk from the parking area down to the shore.
Parking & facilities
Limited unpaved parking area near the beach access point. No marked bays or facilities.
No fees required.
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About this data
- Conditions last evaluated
- Spot data last updated
- Data sources
- Open-Meteo (marine & weather conditions), tide predictions via UTide, community contributors (descriptions, hazards, marine life).
- License
- Spot content licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. How's the Spot is open source.
Weather & swell ┬╖ Open-Meteo marine & weather APIs Tides ┬╖ UTide harmonic analysis Sea & safety ┬╖ community reports