Meet the site
The Mylor Star is the most recent wreck on the Investigator Strait Shipwreck Trail. She was a steel-hulled motor fishing vessel built in 1978, working the productive waters at the mouth of Spencer Gulf. On 9 June 1982 she was caught in a storm near Althorpe Island; while the skipper was trying to reposition the boat, her reverse gear failed and she was driven onto the south-west corner of the island. Both crew survived. The Department for Environment and Water records the wreck in 12-15 m, with only about half the hull visible – the rest broken up or buried by the violent swell that sweeps this corner of the island. What remains is a low steel structure among boulders and kelp, gradually being colonised by sponges and algae, with blue groper, sweep, old wives and other reef fish sheltering nearby. Seals from the Althorpe colonies are frequent visitors. The wreck itself is modest and, by most accounts, in poor condition. Its interest lies in its place on the trail, the dramatic setting under Althorpe's cliffs and the reef life around it. It sits on the most exposed side of an exposed island, so it can only be dived on the calmest days of the year. It suits experienced divers completing the shipwreck trail or exploring Althorpe, and is best combined with a wall dive or Seal Cove on the same trip. Given the depth and exposure, plan it as the first dive of the day while the sea is flattest, and keep a tender on the boat.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Mylor Star Wreck is recorded as Wreck in Yorke Peninsula. 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.
- Water movement
- Ask how swell and local exposure affect the proposed entry, exit and route.
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 Mylor Star 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 Mylor Star 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
Western blue groper, sweep, old wives, magpie perch, seals and sea lions, kelp, sponges
Location
Steel fishing vessel wrecked in 1982 on the south-west corner of Althorpe Island, lying in 12-15 m with only about half the hull visible.
Facilities nearby
None; Marion Bay ramp and services.
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
environment.sa.gov.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.