The SS Undola is a 41-metre steel-hulled coal collier that sank off Garie Beach in the Royal National Park on 20 December 1918 during a fierce southerly buster. Lying in 43–45 metres of water, the wreck sits upright on a sandy bottom about 2.5 km offshore, with its triple-expansion steam engine, holds, and scattered coal cargo still visible. This deep, exposed offshore wreck is renowned among Sydney technical divers for its excellent fish life — including large schools of kingfish, morwong, and sweep — and its well-preserved historic structure.
SS Undola (wreck)
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Wave Height 0.4 mSwell Period 6.8 sWind Speed 8.8 knPrecipitation 12 mmTidal Phase slack
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DANGER: Explicit Risks Present
SS Undola (wreck) has hazards marked as danger. Entering the water here means you may face serious risks to your personal safety.
- Depth — 45 metres maximum danger
This is a deep technical dive requiring decompression procedures. Maximum depth of 45 m, average 43 m. Not suitable for recreational snorkeling or novice divers.
The spot
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Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
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High risk: Depth — 45 metres maximum
This is a deep technical dive requiring decompression procedures. Maximum depth of 45 m, average 43 m. Not suitable for recreational snorkeling or novice divers.
Moderate risk: Strong currents and swells
The wreck lies in exposed open ocean 2.5 km offshore. Southerly busters, strong currents, and large swells can develop rapidly, especially in summer months (November to April).
Moderate risk: Boat traffic
Located 2.5 km off Garie Beach in a shipping lane approach to Port Hacking. Vessels approach from the south; dive boats must display appropriate dive flags.
Low risk: Cold water temperatures
Sydney ocean water temperatures can drop to 15–18°C in winter, requiring thick wetsuits or drysuits for extended bottom times at depth.
Low risk: Entanglement hazards
Fishing line, netting, and loose rigging on the wreck structure can entangle divers. Penetration of the wreck requires careful attention to silting and sharp metal edges.
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Getting in
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Entry
The SS Undola lies 2.5 km off Garie Beach, within Royal National Park, approximately 45 km south of Sydney CBD. Access is exclusively by private dive charter boat launching from Port Hacking (Bundeena or Cronulla) or from chartered dive boats operating out of southern Sydney harbours. The wreck is not accessible from shore.
Parking & facilities
Parking is available at Garie Beach car park (Royal National Park entry fee applies) if meeting a dive boat launching nearby, but the wreck itself is only accessible via boat.
parkingtoilets
Royal National Park entry fee applies for land access. Dive charter fees vary (typically $120–$200 per person for a two-tank wreck dive).
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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