Meet the site
The Leeton is a small steel tug, about 45 ft (14 m) long, scuttled as an artificial reef in the main shipping channel roughly 12 km south-south-east of Whyalla. The Marine Life Society records her in 22 m, and notes that her hull is draped with prawn nets, which can be dangerous, and that the site experiences extremely strong tidal movement, so it can only be dived at slack tide. Scuttled vessels in upper Spencer Gulf quickly become fish havens on the flat, sandy seabed, and the Leeton attracts whiting and snapper, with leatherjackets, bullseyes and tommy ruff around the superstructure and crabs beneath. Sponges and ascidians encrust the hull. The prawn nets are a legacy of the Spencer Gulf prawn fishery, one of the state's most valuable, whose trawlers work the gulf at night; nets snagged on the wreck present a genuine entanglement hazard, and divers should keep a cutting tool handy and stay off the structure. With depth, tide, nets and shipping traffic, this is a dive for experienced, well-equipped divers who can time slack water precisely. The year of scuttling is not recorded in available sources. The Leeton pairs with Marek's Reef, a shallower junk reef to the north-north-west, for a two-dive trip. The Whyalla Dive Shop can advise on local tide timing, which differs from the Port Adelaide predictions, and may know the current condition of the nets. Visibility at slack is often surprisingly good for the upper gulf, and on a clear day the small hull is visible from the top of the shot line.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Leeton Tug Wreck is recorded as Wreck in Whyalla & Upper Spencer Gulf. 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.
- 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 Leeton Tug Wreck suitable for my certification?
The record lists Advanced 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 Leeton Tug 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
King George whiting, snapper, leatherjackets, bullseyes, tommy ruff, crabs, sponges and ascidians
Location
Small (45 ft/14 m) tug scuttled as an artificial reef in 22 m in the main shipping channel about 12 km south-south-east of Whyalla; draped with prawn nets and swept by strong tides.
Facilities nearby
Whyalla marina ramp; Whyalla Dive Shop.
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
marinelife.org.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.