Meet the site
The Eleni K is one of the largest and most impressive shipwreck dives in South Australia, and the Marine Life Society calls it one of the best in the state. She was built in Baltimore in March 1943 as the SS Johns Hopkins, one of the mass-produced Liberty ships that carried supplies for the Allies in the Second World War: a single-screw steamer 134.6 m long. After the war she passed through several owners and, as the Greek-flagged Eleni K, arrived at Thevenard in mid-1966 to load wheat. She was already considered unseaworthy. The Society records that about 90 minutes after departing with 7,776 tons of wheat, she broke her back because of design faults common to the class. She was refloated in November and grounded in her present position between Goat Island and St Peter Island, where she was abandoned. Today the wreck is a relatively intact vessel sitting upright in 11-13 m, with the top of the bridge about 2 m under the surface. That combination – a huge ship in shallow, often clear water – makes it accessible to Open Water divers, and the Society describes it as very scenic and teeming with marine life. The hull and superstructure are encrusted with sponges, algae and ascidians, and schools of fish fill the holds and shade of the structure, with crayfish and octopus in the plating. Nearby Goat Island hosts a shearwater colony of about 94,000 birds. The main obstacle is remoteness: Ceduna is nearly 800 km from Adelaide, and there is no dive shop in town. For divers who make the trip, it is a genuine bucket-list wreck.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Eleni K 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 Eleni K 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 Eleni K 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
Schooling fish (salmon, trevally, sweep, old wives), leatherjackets, magpie perch, southern rock lobster, octopus, sponges, algae, ascidians; shearwaters on Goat Island
Location
134.6 m US-built Liberty ship that broke her back after leaving Thevenard in 1966 and was grounded between Goat Island and St Peter Island; relatively intact and upright in 11-13 m with the top of the bridge about 2 m below the surface.
Facilities nearby
Ceduna/Thevenard ramps; full town services in Ceduna; no local dive shop – bring cylinders or compressor.
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.