Meet the site
The Camilla is one of the oldest wrecks in the Perth area and one of the least visited. She was launched in 1834 as a 190-ton two-masted timber schooner and traded in northern European waters before coming to Australia. She worked out of Tasmania, then from 1892 at Albany as a hulk and barge, and was at Fremantle by 1897. In 1903 the hull was condemned and ordered to be beached beyond Woodman Point, where she seems to have been burnt to the waterline and left to sink.
Little timber survived the burning. What remains is iron framing and deck supports scattered over a sandy bottom in about 3 m, 80 m off Challenger Beach. In summer, weed can cover much of it. Small fish, crabs and the odd octopus use the ironwork, but there is not much reef life.
Howies calls it somewhat pointless, and for most divers that is a fair summary. Its value is historical: a vessel built in the reign of William IV, with a working life that spans the North Sea and three Australian colonies, now lies in snorkelling depth on a suburban beach. It suits divers and snorkellers interested in maritime archaeology, or anyone combining it with other Cockburn Sound shore dives.
The GPS figure published for the Camilla duplicates that of the D9 dredge offshore, so it is left blank until confirmed. The site falls under historic shipwreck protection: do not remove anything.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Camilla Hulk (Naval Base) 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.
- 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 Camilla Hulk (Naval Base) suitable for my certification?
The record lists Snorkel/Any. 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 Camilla Hulk (Naval Base) 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
Small reef fish, crabs, octopus, seasonal algae, seagrass fauna
Location
Burnt remains of the 1834 timber schooner Camilla lying in 3 m about 80 m off Challenger Beach, Cockburn Sound, near the Alcoa jetty.
Facilities nearby
Car parks along Sutton Road; Naval Base boat ramp nearby. Limited facilities.
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.comhowiesscuba.comdivingwawrecks.comRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.
