The ex-HMAS Swan is an 120-metre-long destroyer scuttled in 1997 as Australia's first purpose-sunk artificial reef, lying 3 nautical miles off Cape Naturaliste. The crow's nest sits at just 5-8 metres depth, making it accessible for snorkelling and freediving, while the main deck at 17 metres and the stern at 32 metres offer deeper exploration. The wreck teems with colourful batfish, wobbegong sharks, hard and soft corals, sea fans and sponges. Between September and November migrating humpback whales pass through Geographe Bay, and their songs can sometimes be heard underwater.
Swan Wreck
IntermediateSKIP
SKIP
Poor conditions. Stay out today.
Showing last known conditions
Wave Height 1.3 mSwell Period 11 sWind Speed 2.5 knPrecipitation 1.1 mmTidal Phase ebb
Last evaluated
The spot
Community-maintained
Community contribution: submitted by Daniel
Know before you go
Logged by the community, confirmed by mods
Moderate risk: Depth
The wreck drops to 32 metres at the stern; the main deck at 17m and crow's nest at 5-8m are more accessible for snorkelling.
Low risk: Boat Traffic
The wreck is only accessible by boat; vessels operate in the area and snorkellers must be vigilant during surface intervals.
Low risk: Strong Currents
Ocean currents can be strong around the wreck, particularly at deeper sections and around the stern.
Low risk: Limited Visibility
Visibility can vary with swell and wind conditions; choppy days may reduce water clarity significantly.
Wildlife Guide
No wildlife notes for this spot yet.
Gallery
Be the first to share a photo
No photos yet — yours could be the first.
Photos are reviewed by moderators before they appear.
Getting in
Boat
Entry
The wreck lies about 3 nautical miles off Meelup Beach, near Dunsborough, Western Australia. Commercial dive operators (e.g. Swan Dive) run tours from the Dunsborough/Busselton area. The wreck is not accessible from shore.
Parking & facilities
Park at Meelup Beach car park or at the Dunsborough boat ramp area if using a private vessel.
parkingtoilets
Snorkel/dive tours with operators range from approximately AUD $80–$200 per person depending on the trip and equipment hire.
Spot Map
Community
Trust
Is this spot real, accurate, still loved?
Spots near Western Australia
No nearby spots yet.
Needs verification
Quick verify
One tap helps the community keep this spot honest.
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