Meet the site
Two small wrecks off the Bicton shore are among the most reliable places in the Swan River to find seahorses. The ALC40 was an Australian Army landing craft of the Second World War, operated by the 43rd Landing Craft Company. She broke her mooring in a storm in 1943 and sank where she lies, in 8.5 m about 70 m from shore. The steel hull measures 18.5 m by 5.5 m but rises only a foot or two above the riverbed, so it is easy to swim over without noticing. It is, however, covered in life.
A few metres east lies the Gay Dragon, a privately owned wooden pleasure craft built to look like a Chinese junk, which sank on its mooring in the 1980s or early 1990s. Very little remains apart from upright ribs, the engine block and a fuel tank, spread over about 8 m by 2 m. Divingwawrecks says the site is almost guaranteed for seahorses and regarded as the most popular place to find them in the river.
Besides seahorses, the wrecks hold nudibranchs, anemones, gobies, blennies, bream, porcupinefish and crabs, and they are good at night.
The wrecks lie in a river bottleneck with slight currents almost always present, and visibility can drop to under a metre with the tide. They suit Open Water divers with compass skills and patience.
River temperatures swing more than the ocean: about 22–26 °C in late summer but as low as 13–15 °C in winter, when a 7 mm suit or drysuit makes a long dive more comfortable. Rinse gear well afterwards, as the estuary water is often high in organic matter.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
ALC40 & Gay Dragon Wrecks (Bicton) is recorded as Wreck in Perth. The listed access is shore. Confirm the actual meeting point, route and permission to visit; a map pin does not establish any of these.
Topics flagged by the stored research
These are questions prompted by the existing notes, not a verified or complete hazard assessment.
- Current and timing
- Ask how the operator assesses the current window for the actual route. Historical tide notes are not a departure instruction.
- Other water users
- Ask about vessel activity, exclusion areas and the agreed surface arrangements.
Historical access notes exist for this record, but have not been independently verified for current use. Request current directions from the operator or site manager rather than following an old entry description.
Questions, answered
Is ALC40 & Gay Dragon Wrecks (Bicton) suitable for my certification?
The record lists Open Water. That does not establish suitability for every route or day. Share your training, recent experience and equipment needs with the operator and ask about the specific proposed dive.
Can I book ALC40 & Gay Dragon Wrecks (Bicton) through YouDive?
YouDive is an independent research directory. Contact an operator directly to confirm whether it currently runs the trip, the inclusions and the booking terms.
What you might see
West Australian seahorses, nudibranchs, anemones, gobies, blennies, black bream, porcupinefish, crabs
Location
A WWII Australian Army landing craft and the remains of a junk-style pleasure boat in 8.5 m, about 70 m off the Sea Scouts hall on Jerrat Drive, Bicton.
Facilities nearby
Street parking near the Sea Scouts hall; toilets at Bicton Baths nearby.
Before you make plans
Conditions, access and operator schedules can change. This is a location guide, not a dive plan. Ask a local operator about current conditions and suitability for your training and experience.
Sources & further reading
divingwawrecks.comdivingwawrecks.comRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.
