Meet the site
The Miwok II is an obscure but interesting site off Bickley Point. She was a 33 m steel crane barge of 237 tons that had worked for Hamersley Iron at Dampier before being brought south. In 1983, at the WA Museum's request for an alternative to the RMS Orizaba (a historic wreck then being used for military training), she was scuttled off Rottnest and used by the Special Air Service Regiment for underwater demolition training.
The result is a battered steel barge lying in about 11 m on sand, showing the effects of both explosives and four decades of swell. Divingwawrecks describes it as a largely unknown site, so there is little published detail of its present condition; expect a low profile with broken plating and crane remains that attract reef fish, and clear water of 10-15 m typical of the south-east side of the island.
It is a short, simple dive best suited to divers with their own boat who want something different from the busy Thomson Bay wrecks, or who are exploring the Porpoise Bay and Dyer Island area, where the Lady Elizabeth and Crystal Palace are close by. Because it is less than 75 years old it is not a protected historic wreck, but it lies within the Rottnest Island Reserve, where spearfishing is banned. Treat the site as a navigation challenge as much as a wreck dive: with little published information, finding and mapping it is part of the appeal, and a well-marked GPS and a good sounder are essential.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Miwok II Barge is recorded as Wreck in Rottnest Island. 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.
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 Miwok II Barge 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 Miwok II Barge 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, sweep, bullseyes, leatherjackets, sponges and weed on the plates
Location
Steel crane barge scuttled in 11 m off Bickley Point on the south-east side of Rottnest, used for SAS demolition training.
Facilities nearby
Nearest facilities at Thomson Bay settlement; public moorings in Thomson Bay and Porpoise Bay.
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.comRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.