Meet the site
The Alkimos is Perth's most notorious wreck, a Liberty ship with a long reputation for bad luck and ghost stories that gave its name to the suburb of Alkimos. She was built in 27 days in Baltimore in 1943 as the George M. Shriver for the US merchant navy and was leased to Norway as the Viggo Hansteen, crossing the North Atlantic several times in the Second World War. In 1944 a murder-suicide involving the ship's female radio operator occurred aboard. Renamed Alkimos in 1953, she ran aground south of Geraldton in 1963, beginning a series of mishaps in Western Australian waters, and while disabled off the northern Perth coast she broke her anchor and went ashore near what is now Alkimos Beach.
The 134 m, 7,176-ton steel freighter was once largely intact, but today she has collapsed except for the engine, which still breaks the surface. The Marine Life Network describes a submerged bow section and a flattened structure covered in kelp in 0–7 m. The site is well lit but very surgy after rough weather, and the unstable wreckage moves in surge.
Fish life includes buffalo bream, sweep, herring cale and wrasse around the kelp-covered steel.
The wreck's stories, including a missing swimmer's skull later found in the hull, have made it part of Perth folklore. As a dive it is shallow and needs near-flat conditions and careful anchoring. It suits Open Water divers interested in the story rather than in an intact wreck.
Water temperatures on this coast range from about 17–18 °C in late winter to 22–23 °C in late summer; a 7 mm wetsuit with a hood suits most of the year.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Alkimos Wreck is recorded as Wreck in Perth. The listed access is boat. 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.
- Water movement
- Ask how swell and local exposure affect the proposed entry, exit and route.
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 Alkimos Wreck 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 Alkimos Wreck 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
Buffalo bream, sweep, herring cale, wrasse, kelp
Location
Collapsed remains of the Liberty ship Alkimos in about 4 m, 320 m off Shorehaven Beach, Alkimos, north of Quinns Rocks; the engine still breaks the surface.
Facilities nearby
Mindarie Marina ramp and services.
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.commarinelife.org.audivingwawrecks.comRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.
