Meet the site
The Degei was a 28 m, 205-ton steel trawler built in 1940, working out of Port Lincoln in the tuna and fishing industries. She was lost on 24 January 1974 with a crew of nine aboard and ended up on the western side of Donington Island, off Cape Donington at the entrance to Boston Bay. The Marine Life Society describes the wreck as still fairly intact, lying on her starboard side in 10-11 m about 20 m from shore, with her structure reaching almost to the surface. Decades underwater have made her a colourful reef: gorgonians and soft corals cover the wreckage, and she is patrolled by long-snouted boarfish, old wives, scorpionfish, horseshoe leatherjackets and bullseyes, with cuttlefish in the structure. A small, intact steel wreck in shallow, clear water is an excellent dive for Open Water divers and photographers, offering recognisable ship features, good light and plenty of fish. Divers should not enter enclosed spaces, as the hull is lying on its side and interior spaces are disorienting. The Degei combines naturally with the Cape Donington reefs nearby for a two-dive trip from Kirton Point, and is one of the best wreck dives within easy reach of Port Lincoln. Photographers should bring a wide-angle lens for the gorgonian-covered hull and a macro setup for the scorpionfish and nudibranchs tucked into the structure. Because the wreck rises almost to the surface, skippers must approach slowly and anchor in sand well off the hull, and divers should take care on ascent not to surface under an overhanging part of the structure.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Degei Wreck is recorded as Wreck in Eyre Peninsula. 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.
- Lines and obstructions
- Discuss any known entanglement concerns and the suitability of the planned area.
- Water movement
- Ask how swell and local exposure affect the proposed entry, exit and route.
- Overhead environments
- Ask whether the plan stays entirely in open water. A wreck or cave listing is not permission or training to enter.
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 Degei Wreck 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 Degei Wreck 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
Long-snouted boarfish, old wives, scorpionfish, horseshoe leatherjackets, bullseyes, cuttlefish, gorgonians, soft corals
Location
28 m, 205-ton steel trawler lost in 1974, lying fairly intact on her starboard side in 10-11 m about 20 m off the western side of Donington Island, reaching almost to the surface.
Facilities nearby
Kirton Point Caravan Park ramp and toilets; Port Lincoln 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
marinelife.org.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.