Bywa Wreck is a lesser-known shipwreck site resting on the sandy floor of the Great Barrier Reef's central lagoon, off the coast of Townsville, Queensland. Over time, the submerged steel structure has transformed into an artificial reef, encrusted with hard and soft corals and drawing a kaleidoscope of reef fish. This off-the-beaten-path wreck offers a more intimate alternative to the region's famous wreck dives, with clear tropical waters, good visibility, and the chance to explore a piece of maritime history slowly being reclaimed by the ocean.
Bywa Wreck
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Showing last known conditions
Wave Height 0.4 mSwell Period 5.2 sWind Speed 8.6 knPrecipitation 3.2 mmTidal Phase flood
Last evaluated
DANGER: Explicit Risks Present
Bywa Wreck has hazards marked as danger. Entering the water here means you may face serious risks to your personal safety.
- Stinging marine stingers danger
Stinging jellyfish (box jellyfish and Irukandji) are present in tropical Queensland waters, especially during the warmer months.
The spot
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Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
Know before you go
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High risk: Stinging marine stingers
Stinging jellyfish (box jellyfish and Irukandji) are present in tropical Queensland waters, especially during the warmer months.
Moderate risk: Sharp wreckage / entanglement
The wreck structure has sharp, corroded metal edges and protruding debris that can cause cuts or entanglement.
Moderate risk: Tidal currents
Strong tidal currents can sweep through the central Great Barrier Reef channels, making swimming and navigation challenging.
Low risk: Boat traffic
Marine traffic in the area includes tour boats and vessels; low-profile snorkelers at the surface can be hard to spot.
Wildlife Guide
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Getting in
Boat
Entry
Bywa Wreck is located off the central Great Barrier Reef coast, accessible by boat charter from Townsville or nearby ports. Typical reef tour operators in Townsville offer day trips to reef sites in this area.
Parking & facilities
Parking available at Townsville marina or departure points.
parkingtoilets
Accessible via paid reef tour/charter — prices vary by operator (typically AUD $150–250 per person for a full-day trip).
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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