Meet the site
The Cremer was a 4,600-ton steel ship built in the Netherlands in 1926 that ran aground on St Bees Island in September 1943, during the Second World War. The Marine Life Network lists her remains near Grimston Point on the north coast of the island in 2–10 m, making this a shallow, accessible wreck for divers with a boat. The hull has broken up over eight decades, but the engine area is mostly intact: two engines, each about 8 m long, and a propeller shaft remain as the centrepiece of the dive. Around them lie plates and frames colonised by marine growth. Brown sweetlips and honeycomb grouper shelter in the structure, and turtles are regular visitors. Conditions are typical of the Mackay islands. The site is protected except from south-easterly seas, but current runs along the cliff face, visibility is variable and the remains are often covered in sargassum weed, especially in the warmer months. Slack water on a neap tide in the cooler season gives the best chance of a clear view. Nearby crevices known as the Keswick Caves have recently been explored by a local club and can be combined with the wreck. No operator runs trips here, so it is a site for private boats and club divers from Mackay. Wartime wrecks should be treated as historic sites – leave everything in place. Precise coordinates are not published in the sources reviewed. Local club divers in Mackay are the best source of marks and of current information on the wreck's state after recent cyclones.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
MV Cremer Wreck (St Bees Island) is recorded as Wreck in Mackay. 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.
- 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 MV Cremer Wreck (St Bees Island) 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 MV Cremer Wreck (St Bees Island) 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
Brown sweetlips, honeycomb grouper, turtles, reef fish, sargassum
Location
Engines and remains of the 4,600-ton steel ship Cremer, aground in 1943 near Grimston Point on the north coast of St Bees Island, in 2–10 m.
Facilities nearby
Mackay Marina and Mackay Harbour boat ramps (fuel, parking, cafes); Keswick Island has holiday houses and limited services; St Bees has a small private homestead area only. Air fills in Mackay.
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.