Meet the site
Edith Breaker sits south-west of Big Seal Rock near Treachery Head and holds a grim distinction in local maritime history: this is the reef that the 5,272-ton steamship SS Satara struck at quarter past midnight on 20 August 1910, holing the vessel fatally and sending her to the bottom in twenty minutes accompanied by a large explosion, though remarkably only two of the 89 people aboard were lost. As a submerged, largely unmarked hazard close to the main shipping route past Sugarloaf Point, the breaker has claimed other vessels too over the decades, and it is dived today both as a reef in its own right and as a piece of maritime history — a reminder of just how dangerous this stretch of coast was to shipping before modern navigation aids. As a dive site, Edith Breaker offers rocky reef structure in a depth range of roughly 10 to 30 metres, with gutters and gullies typical of the broader Seal Rocks reef system, and divers exploring its shallower margins may encounter scattered wreckage or debris associated with its history as a ship-breaker rather than expecting to find the main Satara wreck itself, which lies deeper and further away near Treachery Head. The site's genuine current exposure and depth range mean it suits experienced divers, and it is usually offered by Forster Dive Centre as a variation for repeat Seal Rocks visitors or those with a specific interest in the area's shipwreck history, rather than as the default site for a first Seal Rocks trip.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Edith Breaker is recorded as Reef in Forster & Seal Rocks. 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.
- Current and timing
- Ask how the operator assesses the current window for the actual route. Historical tide notes are not a departure instruction.
- Planned depth
- Confirm the intended route and training requirements; the recorded maximum is not a target.
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 Edith Breaker suitable for my certification?
The record lists Advanced 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 Edith Breaker 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
General Seal Rocks reef fish, invertebrates, occasional grey nurse sharks
Location
A submerged reef south-west of Big Seal Rock, near Treachery Head, notorious as the reef that wrecked the SS Satara in 1910; a hazard to shipping and now a dive site in its own right.
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
environment.nsw.gov.auforsterdivecentre.com.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.