Meet the site
The Eglinton is the oldest wreck on the Perth north-metro coast. The 460-ton, 36 m timber barque left London in April 1852 carrying settlers and supplies for the Swan River Colony. Approaching Fremantle in the middle of the night, she struck a submerged reef; the rudder was knocked off and she drifted until she wrecked on the south-western part of Pamela Shoal. One female passenger died and a crew member was badly injured during the evacuation. The wreck became notorious because some of the crew and passengers broke into the cargo of alcohol.
After more than 170 years little remains. Within an area of about 30 m by 20 m in 2–8 m, divers find mostly buried remains: concreted bricks, ballast, broken china, green glass, cement barrels and lead pipes among limestone caves and sink holes. The artefacts are protected under the Historic Shipwrecks Act and must not be disturbed.
The reef is part of the attraction. Large caves beside the wreck site shelter fish and invertebrates, and the Marine Life Network reports good fish and invertebrate populations, including buffalo bream, wrasse, sweep and lobsters.
The Eglinton suits divers interested in early colonial history who are happy searching for small traces rather than structure. It needs calm weather and can be combined with the Two Fold Bay nearby. A torch helps when looking into the caves.
Water temperatures on this coast range from about 17–18 °C in late winter to 22–23 °C in late summer; a 7 mm wetsuit with a hood suits 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.
Eglinton Wreck 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.
- 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 Eglinton 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 Eglinton 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
Buffalo bream, wrasse, sweep, herring cale, western rock lobster, invertebrates, kelp
Location
Remains of the timber barque Eglinton, wrecked in 1852 and the oldest wreck on the north-metro coast, on the south-western part of Pamela Shoal in 2–8 m, 4 nautical miles north of Mindarie.
Facilities nearby
Mindarie Marina ramp 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.commarinelife.org.audivingwawrecks.comRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.
