The SS Mauna Loa is a WWII-era US merchant cargo ship sunk during the first Japanese air raid on Darwin on 19 February 1942. Resting at 18–22 m in the outer harbour, 500 m west of the USAT Meigs, the wreck is more broken than its famous neighbour — the upper superstructure was salvaged in 1959–60, leaving the exposed hull ribs, cargo holds, and scattered deck cargo (trucks, motorcycles, ammunition) visible. Soft coral and sponge encrustation cover the metal, while fusiliers, trevally, batfish, lionfish, scorpionfish, and resident moray eels inhabit the structure. The site is dived exclusively by boat, typically as the second tank of a Meigs trip, and is governed by the harbour's strong tidal currents, 8 m tidal range, and variable 3–12 m visibility.
SS Mauna Loa wreck (Darwin Harbour)
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DANGER: Explicit Risks Present
SS Mauna Loa wreck (Darwin Harbour) has hazards marked as danger. Entering the water here means you may face serious risks to your personal safety.
- Box jellyfish (stingers) danger
Box jellyfish (Chironex fleckeri) are present in Darwin Harbour waters during the wet season.
- Saltwater crocodile risk danger
Saltwater crocodiles inhabit Darwin Harbour year-round. Surface support and constant observation are part of every dive plan.
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Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
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High risk: Box jellyfish (stingers)
Box jellyfish (Chironex fleckeri) are present in Darwin Harbour waters during the wet season.
High risk: Saltwater crocodile risk
Saltwater crocodiles inhabit Darwin Harbour year-round. Surface support and constant observation are part of every dive plan.
Moderate risk: Strong tidal currents
Tidal currents outside the brief slack-water window can exceed safe diving conditions. Dives are timed to slack water and typically restricted to 30–60 minutes.
Moderate risk: Poor and variable visibility
Visibility in Darwin Harbour varies from 3 to 12 m and can drop to 2–3 m after rain, runoff, or on outgoing tides.
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Getting in
The wreck lies in the outer harbour, about 500 m west of the USAT Meigs. Charter operators depart from Cullen Bay Marina or Stokes Hill Wharf in Darwin, with a transit time of roughly 25–30 minutes. Most operators run it as the second tank of a paired Meigs/Mauna Loa two-tank day trip.
Parking available at Cullen Bay Marina and Stokes Hill Wharf areas in Darwin.
Charter fees apply — book through Dive Darwin or other Darwin-based operators. No on-site fees.
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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.