Meet the site
The Europa was a British-built, Italian-owned iron three-masted barque of 756 tons and 57 m that struck Three Breaks Reef, about 8 miles south of Jurien Bay, on 10 January 1897. Her crew set up a camp on the beach to guard the wreck and its cargo, but, as divingwawrecks tells it, they were distracted by the cargo's alcohol, and the coastal steamer Lubra – herself wrecked in Jurien Bay the following year – began unauthorised salvage.
The wreck lies across the top of the reef in shallow water, with the remains descending southward to about 8 m, where cargo debris covers the seafloor. A notable swim-through and a natural sink reach 14 m and also contain fragmented cargo. The site was long known for its intact bottles in wooden crates, but these had been disturbed by 2014 and broken glass now dominates.
The reef around the wreck has the character of the Turquoise Coast: limestone ledges, overhangs and swim-throughs, with sponges, soft corals and a mix of temperate and subtropical fish carried by the Leeuwin Current – buffalo bream, western king wrasse, harlequin fish, sweep and baldchin groper, plus western rock lobster in the ledges.
It is a worthwhile boat dive for divers based in Jurien Bay with access to a boat, combining history, a reef swim-through and a relaxed profile. The site is protected under historic shipwreck legislation: no artefacts, including bottles, may be removed. Carry a surface marker buoy, as the reef is a long way offshore and boats working cray pots use the area.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Europa Wreck (Three Breaks Reef) is recorded as Wreck in Turquoise Coast. The listed access is boat (day trip). 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.
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 Europa Wreck (Three Breaks Reef) 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 Europa Wreck (Three Breaks Reef) 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, western king wrasse, harlequin fish, sweep, baldchin groper, western rock lobster, sponges, soft corals
Location
Iron three-masted barque wrecked in 1897 on Three Breaks Reef about 8 miles south of Jurien Bay, 4 miles offshore near the Hill River mouth, in 3-14 m.
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.comdivingwawrecks.comRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.