Meet the site
The Amanda Lee was an 18–20 m steel commercial trepang (bêche-de-mer) boat, donated by Tasmanian Seafoods for the NT artificial reef program and scuttled at Fenton Patches in 2011. Trepang fishing has a long history on the northern coast – Macassan fishermen harvested sea cucumbers here for centuries before European settlement – and this vessel was part of the modern commercial version of that fishery.
Unlike most of the Fenton wrecks she did not land upright: the Amanda Lee lies on her port side on a sand bottom in about 25–28 m. That orientation gives the dive a different character. The starboard side of the hull forms a steel wall rising several metres off the sand, the deck faces sideways, and the wheelhouse, hand rails and fittings are presented edge-on. The most striking feature is the large Kort nozzle – the steel duct around the propeller that gives trawlers extra thrust – which sits clearly visible at the stern.
DSAC notes substantial coral growth over the wreck, which is notable for turbid Beagle Gulf water: soft corals, sea whips, sponges and encrusting growth cover much of the upper hull, and the overhang formed by the deck side shelters fish. Several species have made the wreck home, including snapper, cod, trevally, batfish and schooling baitfish, with the occasional big groper or jewfish tucked under the deck edge.
Because she is on her side, the Amanda Lee should not be penetrated; doorways are at awkward angles and silt collects in every compartment. The dive is an exterior tour that takes 20 minutes or so at slack water. It pairs naturally with Galah and Heron, which lies very close by, and with Marchart 3. The site suits advanced divers who are comfortable at 25 m-plus in open water with variable visibility, and photographers who want a wreck with a recognisable feature in the Kort nozzle.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Amanda Lee is recorded as Wreck in Darwin Offshore & Artificial Reefs. The listed access is boat (day trip). 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.
- Lines and obstructions
- Discuss any known entanglement concerns and the suitability of the planned area.
- Planned depth
- Confirm the intended route and training requirements; the recorded maximum is not a target.
- 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 Amanda Lee suitable for my certification?
The record lists Advanced 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 Amanda Lee 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
Golden snapper, estuary cod, trevally, batfish, Queensland groper, black jewfish, baitfish, soft corals, sea whips, sponges
Location
Former trepang (bêche-de-mer) vessel lying on her port side in the western part of the Fenton Patches reef field (12°09.691'S 130°40.721'E).
Facilities nearby
Departure facilities at Cullen Bay Marina (fuel, ramp, toilets, cafes) and Dinah Beach; air fills in Darwin only.
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
dsac.com.aunt.gov.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.
