Meet the site
The Gemini is the north-metro coast's main purpose-sunk wreck and, according to divingwawrecks, arguably the most exciting dive off the northern suburbs. She was the hopper barge WH-301, built in 1962 and paired with her sister WH-302 in New South Wales. She later came to Western Australia and was bought by charter operator John Clark, and on 9 September 1993, with help from the Royal Australian Navy and local businesses, she was scuttled as a dive and training site for Advanced divers.
The 36.5 m, 860-ton steel barge capsized as she sank and lies upside down on sand in 30 m, on an east–west axis with the bow facing seaward. The top of the upturned hull is at about 26 m. Commercial divers later removed sections of the hull to allow penetration into the silt-filled internal spaces.
The wreck is a magnet for fish. Samson fish school around it, which also attracts anglers, and kingfish, old wives and truncate coralfish are common. Crayfish hide under the gunwales, and soft corals and sponges cover the steel.
It is a deep, exposed dive that suits Advanced divers with deep experience. Currents can be strong, it is not always easy to locate, and no-decompression times are short. On a calm day with clear blue water it is one of the best wreck dives in the Perth area. Spearfishing is not permitted on the wreck, according to the Marine Life Network.
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.
Gemini 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.
- Current and timing
- Ask how the operator assesses the current window for the actual route. Historical tide notes are not a departure instruction.
- Lines and obstructions
- Discuss any known entanglement concerns and the suitability of the planned area.
- Planned depth
- Confirm the intended route and training requirements; the recorded maximum is not a target.
- 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 Gemini Wreck suitable for my certification?
The record lists Deep/Advanced + experience. 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 Gemini 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
Samson fish schools, yellowtail kingfish, old wives, truncate coralfish, western rock lobster, soft corals, sponges
Location
An 860-ton steel hopper barge scuttled upside down in 1993 as a dive site in 30 m, 6 nautical miles offshore and 8.4 nautical miles north-west of Mindarie Marina.
Facilities nearby
Mindarie Marina: public ramp, parking, toilets, fuel, cafes.
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.
