Meet the site
The MV Seawolf is Adelaide's most recent club-driven wreck before the Andrew Wilson, sunk on 23 March 2002 as part of the Noarlunga artificial reef project. She began life in the 1940s as the Matsu Maru, a Japanese tuna vessel about 32 m long, and was donated to the Seawolves Dive Club, whose members spent years preparing her for scuttling. The club's own history describes the wreck as a much-needed and valuable resource for local divers. She rests on her starboard side in about 20 m, 15-20 m astern and slightly to starboard of the HA Lumb, with her bow reaching into the Noarlunga Tyre Reef. Lying on her side, she presents the deck as a vertical wall and offers multiple easy access points into open spaces for trained divers. A dummy 'bomb' was placed on deck and Sea Wolves markers were set underneath, giving divers things to look for. The seabed is fine silt, so visibility can be variable, and marine growth and fish numbers vary too. Over two decades the hull has gained sponges and ascidians, and leatherjackets, bullseyes, old wives, morwong and schools of small fish gather around it. Nudibranchs are found on the steel, as on the neighbouring Lumb. The Seawolf is almost always dived in combination with the Lumb and the tyre reef: the three structures sit so close that a single tank covers them all, making this one of the best two-wreck dives in South Australia outside the Glenelg pair. It suits Advanced divers and those building wreck experience, and is a short, sheltered run from O'Sullivan Beach.
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 Seawolf Wreck is recorded as Wreck in Adelaide Metro. 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.
- Current and timing
- Ask how the operator assesses the current window for the actual route. Historical tide notes are not a departure instruction.
- 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 MV Seawolf 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 MV Seawolf 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
Leatherjackets, bullseyes, old wives, morwong, schools of small fish, boarfish, nudibranchs, sponges, ascidians
Location
32 m former Japanese tuna vessel scuttled on 23 March 2002 lying on its starboard side in about 20 m, 15-20 m astern of the HA Lumb, with its bow inside the Noarlunga Tyre Reef.
Facilities nearby
O'Sullivan Beach boat ramp.
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
thediveshack.com.auseawolves.org.ausdfsa.netmarinelife.org.auen.wikivoyage.orgdivedb.netRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.