The Denton Holme is the largest shipwreck on Rottnest Island — a 988-ton iron barque that ran aground on Transit Reef in Thomson Bay in 1890. The wreck lies in just 7 metres of water with the bow rising to within a metre of the surface at low tide. Its collapsed iron hull is now a thriving artificial reef, scattered with cement pipes, glass, and coal from its original cargo. An impressive cave system lies to the north, and the nearby wreck of the Macedon is just 20 metres to the south-east. Protected from the prevailing south-west swell by Thomson Bay, this is a spectacular shore-entry snorkel for those comfortable swimming over a historic wreck site.
Denton Holme Wreck
IntermediateSKIP
SKIP
Poor conditions. Stay out today.
Showing last known conditions
Wave Height 1.8 mSwell Period 12 sWind Speed 3.1 knPrecipitation 0.8 mmTidal Phase ebb
Last evaluated
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Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
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Logged by the community, confirmed by mods
Moderate risk: Shallow wreck structure
The bow section rises to within 1 metre of the surface at low tide, posing a collision hazard for snorkelers and boat traffic.
Low risk: Swell wrap-around
Swells over 1.5 metres tend to wrap around the island from the west and will affect conditions at Transit Reef.
Low risk: Sand movement & burial
The site can be heavily buried by shifting sand, altering the visibility and accessibility of wreck features.
Low risk: Variable visibility
Visibility typically ranges from 5–15 metres but can drop significantly after storms or wind events.
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Getting in
Shore entry
Entry
Located on Transit Reef in Thomson Bay, approximately 1.5 km east-north-east of Bathurst Point, Rottnest Island. From the Thomson Bay settlement area, walk east along the foreshore toward Transit Reef. The wreck is just metres offshore — accessible by a short swim from the beach.
Parking & facilities
No vehicle parking on Rottnest Island (cars are prohibited). Bicycles can be parked at the Thomson Bay settlement. Most visitors reach the area on foot or by bike from the ferry jetty.
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No additional fee beyond the Rottnest Island admission fee (ferry ticket and Island Entry Fee apply).
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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