Meet the site
The Key Biscayne was a 2,695-ton steel jack-up oil rig being towed from the Arafura Sea to Fremantle when she was lost on 1 September 1983. In gale-force winds the final tow line parted, and she was last seen slipping beneath the waves at 6:45 pm. She now lies about 9 nautical miles west of Ledge Point in 42 m.
The rig settled upside down, with its jack-up legs collapsing towards the north of the platform. The shallowest point is a spud foot and the drilling platform at about 26 m, and the rest is a mass of twisted steel down to the sand at 42 m.
The wreck's reputation rests on its fish life. Grey nurse sharks frequent the northern legs, and large demersal fish, including samson fish, dhufish and schooling kingfish, are abundant. Wobbegongs rest near the spud foot, and crayfish crowd the wreckage. Visibility is often outstanding, from 10 m to 40 m.
This is a deep, exposed dive with strong currents, an hour or more offshore. Most divers do it with an operator, using a shot line and live-boat pick-ups, and the depth means short no-decompression times on air. Divingwawrecks recommends a technical decompression dive for thorough exploration.
The Key Biscayne suits experienced deep divers and technical divers, and it is one of the signature wreck dives of the Perth region.
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.
Key Biscayne Oil Rig Wreck is recorded as Wreck in Perth. 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.
- Current and timing
- Ask how the operator assesses the current window for the actual route. Historical tide notes are not a departure instruction.
- 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.
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 Key Biscayne Oil Rig Wreck suitable for my certification?
The record lists Technical (decompression). 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 Key Biscayne Oil Rig 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
Grey nurse sharks, samson fish, dhufish, yellowtail kingfish, western rock lobster, wobbegongs, sponges, large demersal fish
Location
Upturned jack-up oil rig lost under tow in 1983, lying in 26–42 m about 9 nautical miles west of Ledge Point and 12 nautical miles south-west of Lancelin.
Facilities nearby
Lancelin and Ledge Point boat ramps; Lancelin township has accommodation, fuel and shops.
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.combluedestiny.com.audestinationperth.com.auRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.
