Meet the site
The Katinka is the most impressive of the Hamelin Bay wrecks. She was an 805-ton, 60 m iron sailing barque lost in the intense winter storm of 22 July 1900, when a north-westerly front swept across the bay and the wind then swung south-west with gusts reportedly reaching 85 knots. According to divingwawrecks, she dragged not only her own anchors but the timber company's mooring - 360 m of chain attached to three two-ton anchors - almost a kilometre before going aground about a mile north of the jetty. Sailors were lost, one swept overboard and others, including the first mate, drowned trying to swim to shore; marinelife.org.au notes the remaining crew were rescued the next morning.
As an iron ship she has survived far better than the wooden barques nearby. Divingwawrecks describes a large amount of iron wreckage and timber cargo still on site; although most of the hull has collapsed onto the seafloor, the bow, stern and masts are easily recognisable. Marinelife.org.au describes the bow standing nearly upright on a north-south axis parallel to the shore with the iron bowsprit pointing south, a large windlass on the seaward side, a small anchor inshore and the stern buried deeper but projecting about 1.5 m above the sand.
In 5-6 m of water surrounded by sand, it is an easy, rewarding wreck for Open Water divers and snorkellers on flat days.
Hamelin Bay was a timber port from the 1880s, when a jetty built in 1882 and extended in 1898 served M. C. Davies' milling operations. It was notorious for wrecks in bad weather because it is exposed to the north-west gales of winter storms; the 22 July 1900 storm alone wrecked several ships, and only the old jetty piles remain today. The bay is now a recreation zone in the Ngari Capes Marine Park, and every wreck in it older than 75 years is protected.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Katinka Wreck is recorded as Wreck in Margaret River & Augusta. 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 Katinka 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 Katinka 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 king wrasse, buffalo bream, old wife, herring cale, stingrays on the sand, weed growth on iron
Location
Iron barque wrecked in the great storm of July 1900, lying in 5-6 m on sand about 150 m off the beach, just over a nautical mile north of the Hamelin Bay boat ramp - the northernmost and most substantial wreck in the bay.
Facilities nearby
Hamelin Bay boat ramp, holiday park and kiosk.
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.comcapetocapetours.com.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.
