Chofuku Maru

Meet the site

The Chofuku Maru is the largest wreck on Ningaloo Reef. The 117 m, 4,498-ton Japanese steam freighter ran aground in 1931 while trying to assist the stranded SS Shunsei Maru; water entered the hull, the wheat cargo swelled, and the hull buckled.

The remains are scattered across the reef floor at about 8–10 m. At the south-western end lie the rudder, steering quadrant and a huge four-bladed propeller; a 40 m propeller shaft leads to the collapsed three-cylinder triple-expansion engine and two large boilers; and to the north-east the bow survives partially intact on its starboard side. Coral has colonised the steel and fish life is good.

It lies about two miles offshore behind the outer breakers and requires a boat and swell under 1 m. Visibility is typically 5–15 m.

The Point Cloates coast: the stretch of Ningaloo between Coral Bay and Yardie Creek is a notorious ship trap where the reef lies close to the shipping route and an uncharted north-west current set vessels onto the reef. The WA wreck-diving guide divingwawrecks lists nine wrecks here, from the 1811 Rapid to the 1931 Chofuku Maru. All are remote, require a private boat, calm seas and self-sufficiency, and are protected historic sites — look, photograph and leave everything in place.

Planning notes: Open Water certification is recommended and the site is rated advanced. Expect to spend most of the dive around 8 m, with a maximum of about 10 m. Access is by boat only, and site selection depends on wind, swell and tide on the day. Best season: April–October on glassy days. Traffic: remote/expedition only.

What you might see

Reef fish, coral growth on ironwork, turtles, reef sharks, cod

Location

Scattered remains of a 117 m Japanese steam freighter on Ningaloo Reef off Point Billie, Ningaloo Station, about two miles offshore behind the outer breakers.

Facilities nearby

None; remote station coast. Air in Coral Bay or Exmouth.