Meet the site
The J-class were the fastest submarines in the world when they were laid down for the Royal Navy in 1915: 84 m long, 1,210 t surfaced and 1,820 t submerged, driven by three diesels for 19 knots on the surface. Six survivors of the class were gifted to the Royal Australian Navy in March 1919, sailed out with the depot ship HMAS Platypus, arrived in Sydney on 15 July 1919 and were based at Geelong from 1920. Post-war budget cuts saw them paid off at Western Port on 12 July 1922, and in January 1924 the Melbourne Salvage Company bought the flotilla for scrap. J5 was launched on 9 September 1915 and commissioned on 6 May 1916 with the 11th Flotilla. Stripped at Williamstown, she was towed out and scuttled off Barwon Heads on Friday 4 June 1926, taking two hours to disappear; the Geelong Skindivers Club relocated her on 4 May 1974. The 'Yellow Submarine' sits upright on a sandy bottom, bow to the south, and gets its name from the sheet of yellow zoanthid anemones that covers the bow, stern and conning tower so thickly that the steel is barely visible. The conning tower stands proud of the deck at about 30 m and is the busiest part of the wreck for fish: bullseyes, longfin pike, barber perch and splendid perch school here in numbers. Forward, the narrow, sleek bow is gradually collapsing but the four torpedo tubes are still clear; aft, the rudder, propeller-shaft supports and stabiliser frames are all recognisable. Although the boat was stripped before sinking, there is a surprising amount to see inside. Large deck openings along the length let light in and allow penetration at several points, from the torpedo room forward to the crew spaces in the stern. The bow interior silts easily and demands good buoyancy and a line; the midships openings are more forgiving. It is excellent for photography inside and out. At 25–36 m J5 is a step beyond J4 and is usually dived as the deep dive of the day on nitrox. It is intact, colourful and relatively sheltered from the worst shipping traffic, which makes it the favourite of the four for many regular Graveyard divers and a regular fixture on Dive Victoria and Red Boats charter calendars.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
J5 Submarine is recorded as Wreck in Port Phillip Heads. 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.
- 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.
- Planned depth
- Confirm the intended route and training requirements; the recorded maximum is not a target.
- 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 J5 Submarine 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 J5 Submarine 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
Yellow zoanthids (dense), bullseyes, longfin pike, barber perch, splendid perch, butterfly perch, sponges and ascidians, southern rock lobster, blue devilfish, occasional seal
Location
Eastern Ships' Graveyard about 4 km south-south-west of Point Lonsdale, between J4 and J1.
Facilities nearby
Departure from Queenscliff Harbour (parking, toilets, cafes, fills at Dive Victoria/Queenscliff Dive Centre) or Portsea Pier (parking on Point Nepean Road, toilets, 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
scubadoctor.com.auscubadoctor.com.auscubadoctor.com.auen.wikipedia.orgRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.
