Meet the site
A24-69 was a PBY-5A, the amphibian version of the Catalina with retractable wheels, and the first amphibian taken on charge by the RAAF. It reached the flying-boat base at Lake Boga on 17 December 1943 and joined 11 Squadron two months later with the code FJ-A. Darwin Harbour was a major flying-boat base during the Second World War. US Navy Patrol Wing 10 PBYs were moored in the harbour when the Japanese attacked on 19 February 1942, and from 1944 the RAAF operated Catalina squadrons from the harbour on long-range minelaying and patrol missions into the Netherlands East Indies. At least three RAAF and six US Navy Catalinas were lost in the harbour, and DSAC numbers the known wrecks Catalina 1 to 6. The PBY Catalina had a 31.7 m wingspan, a 19.4 m hull and an empty weight of about 9,500 kg, so even a broken wreck covers a surprising area of seabed. On 14 December 1945, after the war had ended, A24-69 caught fire at its mooring in East Arm and sank.
The wreck lies in about 10-12 m. The forward section is intact and recognisable, including the distinctive bow turret, but the rear fuselage is missing from the navigator's compartment back. The starboard wing lies towards the rear and the port wing off the port side of the cockpit, with one engine still between the wings; its propeller was removed years ago and displayed at a Cullen Bay dive shop, and the second engine has been recovered. The aircraft was identified from artefacts recovered by recreational divers, including the contractor's plate confirming it as a PBY-5A - the only one of that variant lost in the harbour. It is the most complete and easiest of the RAAF Catalinas to dive, at a comfortable depth for Open Water divers used to low visibility, and gives a clear sense of the size of these aircraft.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Catalina A24-69 (Catalina 2) is recorded as Aircraft Wreck in Darwin Harbour. 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.
- 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 Catalina A24-69 (Catalina 2) 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 Catalina A24-69 (Catalina 2) 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
Estuary cod, golden snapper, batfish, small reef fish, sponges and hydroids on the airframe
Location
At the former RAAF flying-boat mooring in East Arm, Darwin Harbour, in 10-12 m.
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.aupacificwrecks.comRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.