Meet the site
The Hadda was a 334-ton, three-masted timber barque that sailed from the Lacepede Islands north of Broome on 12 April 1877 with a cargo of guano for Fremantle. Her captain intended to pass east of the Abrolhos through the Geelvink Channel, but uncharted currents pushed the ship west, and on 30 April she struck the northern shelf of a reef only a few hundred metres from Beacon Island, bow first and hard aground. The crew abandoned her and sailed the ship's boat to Geraldton; a court of inquiry cleared the captain. The ship was probably partly salvaged, as anchors and deck machinery are not evident.
Being timber, little of the hull survives, but divingwawrecks and Marine Life Network describe numerous iron knees that supported the decks, the keel, a few fittings and hull sheathing, scattered over about 40 x 20 m in 2-6 m. The real attraction is the setting: the site is in a sanctuary zone surrounded by abundant coral gardens – staghorn, plate and finger corals – with buffalo bream, baldchin groper, sergeant majors, wrasse and parrotfish.
The site is sheltered from all but northerly weather, making it one of the more reliable dives in the Wallabi Group and an easy snorkel for all levels. It is usually combined with the Batavia site on nearby Morning Reef and the Beacon Island trail. Because it is shallow and sheltered, the Hadda is often used as a snorkel stop between deeper dives, or as a night snorkel from a liveaboard anchored nearby, when crays and octopus emerge among the knees.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Hadda Wreck (Beacon Island) is recorded as Wreck in Geraldton & Abrolhos Islands. The listed access is boat (multi-day/liveaboard). Confirm the actual meeting point, route and permission to visit; a map pin does not establish any of these.
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 Hadda Wreck (Beacon Island) suitable for my certification?
The record lists Snorkel/Any. 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 Hadda Wreck (Beacon Island) 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
Staghorn, plate and finger corals, buffalo bream, baldchin groper, sergeant majors, wrasse, parrotfish, coral trout
Location
Timber barque wrecked in 1877 a few hundred metres (about 720 m ENE) from Beacon Island in the Wallabi Group; iron knees, keel and hull sheathing among coral gardens in 2-6 m in a sanctuary zone.
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.auRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.