Meet the site
The Marloo was a coastal steamer carrying general cargo and passengers that struck Sandy Cape Shoal on 26 September 1914. Marinelife.org.au records that she was deliberately beached about 3 miles north of Waddy Point on the north-eastern coast of K'gari to save the ship's company, and was later salvaged for her cargo of ore, copper and piping.
What remains is buried in the sand of the ocean beach and surf zone and is visible only in exceptional weather. There is no established dive here, and in most conditions the surf, rips and poor visibility make any attempt pointless or dangerous. The site belongs in this database as part of the documented maritime history of the K'gari coast – a coast where Breaksea Spit and Sandy Cape Shoal have claimed many vessels – rather than as a dive destination.
Visitors to the northern end of K'gari, which is reached only by 4WD after a barge crossing and several hours of beach driving, may find exposed remains after storms. Treat any exposed structure as a protected historic wreck: look, photograph, and leave everything in place.
Divers wanting to experience the region's wrecks should instead book the ex-HMAS Tobruk from Hervey Bay or Bundaberg, or dive the historic hulls of the Roy Rufus Artificial Reef, which are in calm, accessible water and serviced by an operator. For the K'gari ocean-beach wreck experience, the Maheno further south is the classic above-water stop. Waddy Point, the nearest landmark, has a QPWS camping area, and the rocky headland there is one of the few places on the island's east coast with some shelter from the south-east.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Marloo Wreck (K'gari) is recorded as Wreck in Hervey Bay & K'gari. The listed access is shore. 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.
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 Marloo Wreck (K'gari) 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 Marloo Wreck (K'gari) 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
Surf-zone fish; sharks along the beach
Location
Steamer that struck Sandy Cape Shoal on 26 September 1914 and was deliberately beached about 3 miles north of Waddy Point on K'gari; salvaged and now buried by sand.
Facilities nearby
Remote: camping at Waddy Point; limited supplies at Orchid Beach
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 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.