Meet the site
The Orizaba was one of the largest ships lost in Australian waters. The 6,077-ton, 140 m steel Royal Mail steamer of the Orient Line was approaching Fremantle on 16 February 1905 with 160 passengers when smoke from coastal bushfires hid the landmarks. Under Captain Archer she ran onto Five Fathom Bank about 2 miles west of Point Peron. Everyone was saved, but the ship could not be refloated. She was partly salvaged, then used by the armed forces as a demolition training site until the early 1980s, when she was protected as a historic shipwreck.
The wreck now extends about 130 m from bow to stern in 6–12 m. Demolition and a century of swell have reduced much of it to crumpled steel, and the bow has deteriorated noticeably in the last decade. The stern is the best part: the three large boilers, the triple-expansion engine crankshaft and the steering gear are still recognisable, and plates and frames form overhangs and small caves.
Fish life is excellent. Huge schools of buffalo bream and bullseyes swarm through the wreckage, and there are dhufish, queen snapper, blue groper, Port Jackson sharks, wobbegongs and stingrays. The surrounding bank has limestone reef with sponges and kelp.
Because the bank is exposed, the Orizaba is a fair-weather site; with more than a metre of swell the surge is uncomfortable. On a calm day, with clear water and a short run from Point Peron, it is one of the best wreck dives in the southern metro area. It suits Open Water divers with some boat experience and anyone with an interest in maritime history.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
RMS Orizaba Wreck is recorded as Wreck in Perth. 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.
- Other water users
- Ask about vessel activity, exclusion areas and the agreed surface arrangements.
- 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 RMS Orizaba Wreck 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 RMS Orizaba 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
Buffalo bream (large schools), bullseyes, dhufish, queen snapper, blue groper, Port Jackson sharks, western wobbegongs, stingrays, sponges, kelp
Location
Broken remains of the 140 m Orient Line mail steamer Orizaba on Five Fathom Bank, about 2 nautical miles west of Cape Peron, in 6–12 m.
Facilities nearby
Point Peron boat ramp with parking; Mersey Point and Rockingham ramps with toilets.
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.comrockingham.wa.gov.aumarinelife.org.audestinationperth.com.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.
