Meet the site
The Centaur was a 188-ton, 30 m iron brig carrying galena (lead ore) from Dongara when she was wrecked on the Marmion Reef in 1874. She is now one of the historic features of Marmion Marine Park, and DBCA lists the wreck as a boat-access dive site at the southern end of the Marmion Reef line.
Little of the ship remains. The wreckage is scattered over about 30 m on the south-eastern section of the reef, heavily overgrown, and includes a section of the bow, hull plating, scattered galena and ship's fittings. A WA Museum plinth marks the site. The reef around the wreck is the attraction for many divers: in good conditions the site offers impressive shallow diving with swim-throughs through the limestone.
Reef life includes buffalo bream, wrasse, scalyfin, western blue devils, old wives and herring cale, with western rock lobster and Port Jackson sharks in the ledges and kelp and sponges on the reef.
The difficulty is that the wreck lies directly beneath a reef break. Divingwawrecks recommends diving only in swell under about 0.5 m, which in practice means a few calm mornings a year. On those days, it is a rewarding combination of history and reef.
The site suits Open Water divers with boat experience and an interest in maritime heritage. The wreck is protected, and nothing may be removed, including galena.
Water temperatures range from about 17 °C in late winter to 22–23 °C in late summer; a 7 mm suit with a hood is comfortable for 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.
Centaur Wreck (Marmion) 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.
- Other water users
- Ask about vessel activity, exclusion areas and the agreed surface arrangements.
- 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 Centaur Wreck (Marmion) 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 Centaur Wreck (Marmion) 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, wrasse, scalyfin, western blue devils, old wives, herring cale, western rock lobster, Port Jackson sharks, kelp, sponges
Location
Scattered remains of the iron brig Centaur, wrecked in 1874 with a cargo of galena, on the southernmost Marmion Reef about 2 miles west of North Beach, in about 7 m.
Facilities nearby
Hillarys Boat Harbour ramps 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.comdivingwawrecks.comexploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.autrailswa.com.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.
