Meet the site
The Malabar is one of Sydney's best shallow wreck dives and the ship gave its name to the suburb. Built by Barclay, Curle and Company of Glasgow and launched on 9 July 1925 for Burns, Philp and Company, she was a 107 m (350 ft), 4,512-ton motorship with a Burmeister and Wain diesel, capable of 13 knots, carrying 156 passengers and cargo in five holds including refrigerated space. On 2 April 1931, en route from Melbourne via Sydney to Singapore under Captain George Leslie, she ran onto the rocks at the northern side of Long Bay in dense fog at about 6.50 am. All 109 crew and 28 passengers were taken off safely – only the ship's cat was lost – but the ship flooded aft and broke up in heavy seas the same day. The suburb of Long Bay was renamed Malabar in her memory. For decades the wreck lay beside Sydney's main sewage outfall and was rarely dived, but when the outfall was moved offshore in 1990 the water cleared and the Malabar became a popular shore dive. Today the hull, decks and superstructure are a jumble of rusted, twisted plate in 9–10 m, but many large pieces are recognisable. The highlight is the massive diesel engine lying on its side, which divers can swim through carefully, with pistons, conrods and crankshaft visible; sections of driveshaft joined by huge bolts lead to the propeller, which has one blade missing, and the rudder. Around the site are anchors, capstans, bollards, davits, lifeboat gear, mast supports and large glass panels from a skylight. The July 2001 storms stripped growth from the ironwork, exposed copper piping and cracked the engine housing, and kelp now covers parts of the site and can hide smaller items. Fish life is prolific: big schools of luderick (blackfish) and bream shelter inside the engine, with yellowtail, silver sweep and blue gropers around the wreckage. With visibility of 15 m common in westerly weather and plenty of no-decompression time, it suits Open Water divers who can handle a long walk and a rock-platform entry, and it is a favourite for wreck photography.
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 Malabar wreck (Long Bay) is recorded as Wreck in Sydney South & Botany Bay. The listed access is shore or 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.
- Water movement
- Ask how swell and local exposure affect the proposed entry, exit and route.
- Overhead environments
- Ask whether the plan stays entirely in open water. A wreck or cave listing is not permission or training to enter.
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 Malabar wreck (Long Bay) 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 Malabar wreck (Long Bay) 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
Luderick (blackfish), bream, yellowtail, silver sweep, eastern blue groper, mado, rock cale, octopus, kelp, sponges and ascidians on steel
Location
Broken-up remains of the Burns Philp motorship Malabar (lost 1931) on the northern side of Long Bay, Malabar, in 9–10 m off the end of Fishermans Road.
Facilities nearby
Parking at the end of Fishermans Road; toilets, ocean pool and kiosk at Malabar Beach; air at Sydney Dive Academy (Matraville) and Abyss (Ramsgate).
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
michaelmcfadyenscuba.infomichaelmcfadyenscuba.infoRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.
