Meet the site
The Fides was a three-masted wooden barque, built in 1857, that came to grief on Kangaroo Island's north-west coast about 0.5 km west of Snug Cove. DEW's shipwreck trail gives her dates as 1857-1860; other records date the loss to 1859. She drifted ashore and broke up rapidly beneath the cliffs, and only six of her 15 crew survived according to one account (the Marine Life Network says ten lives were lost).
There is no intact structure. What remains is wreckage against the cliff in an underwater gully, with cargo still visible – the Marine Life Network describes brass fittings, bottles and cutlery scattered among the rocks at about 10 m. The appeal is the detective work of finding artefacts among boulders and weed, set against the backdrop of the towering cliffs and a healthy reef with varied fish life. Blue groper, wrasse, sweep and boarfish are common, and the gully walls carry sponges and algae.
The Fides is one of the stops on the DEW Kangaroo Island Shipwreck Trail, and like all historic shipwrecks in South Australia her remains are protected: look, photograph and leave everything in place. The site's remoteness and cliff-side position mean it is only diveable on calm days with southerly winds, and there is no shore access. Combine it with the walls of Snug Cove. It suits divers with an interest in maritime history who are comfortable in remote conditions. A slow, careful search of the gully typically fills a whole dive, and photographers should bring a light to bring out the colour of the encrusted fittings.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Fides Wreck is recorded as Wreck in Kangaroo Island. 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.
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 Fides 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 Fides 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
Western blue groper, wrasse, sweep, boarfish, leatherjackets, sponges and algae on gully walls
Location
The scattered remains of the Finnish barque Fides against the cliff in an underwater gully about 0.5 km west of Snug Cove, east of Cape Borda.
Facilities nearby
None – remote.
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.sa.gov.aumarinelife.org.auoceans1.customer.netspace.net.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.