Meet the site
For more than 80 years the waters off the west end of Rottnest were Western Australia's official dumping ground for unwanted ships. Wikipedia and the WA Museum describe an area about 11 km across where at least 47 historically significant vessels are known to have been sunk since 1910 - old sailing-ship hulks used as coal barges, obsolete steamers, tugs, whale chasers, naval vessels and more. The seabed across the area ranges from about 50 m to 200 m, placing most of the wrecks beyond recreational reach.
Only a handful have been dived. WreckSploration has surveyed and 3D-modelled several, including the Thornliebank (46 m), the 'Clipper' (believed to be the Maranda, 65 m), the whale chaser Kos VII (82 m), the minesweeper HMAS Junee (83 m), the SS Cape Otway (85 m) and the iron ship Sesa (90 m); it also located the Dutch submarine K XI in 2025 in about 40 m on the edge of the area (listed separately in the Perth region). The UWA Underwater Club reports diving a 58 m 'shallow wreck' and the 65 m Clipper. HMAS Derwent, sister ship of HMAS Swan, was sunk in the graveyard on 21 December 1994 about 12 nm west of Rottnest after weapons-effects trials that left her too damaged to prepare as a dive wreck; she lies in deep water and is not a dive site.
This is exploratory technical diving: trimix, long decompression, open water, no moorings and complete self-reliance. The reward is intact hulls that very few people have ever seen.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Rottnest Ships' Graveyard is recorded as Wreck in Rottnest Island. 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.
- Planned depth
- Confirm the intended route and training requirements; the recorded maximum is not a target.
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 Rottnest Ships' Graveyard suitable for my certification?
The record lists Technical (decompression). 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 Rottnest Ships' Graveyard 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
Pelagic schools (samson fish, yellowtail kingfish, trevally), dhufish, pink snapper, deep-water sponges and gorgonians on hulls
Location
Designated scuttling ground about 11 km in diameter south-west and west of Rottnest where at least 47 vessels were deliberately sunk from 1910 to the 1990s, in depths from about 46 m to 200 m.
Facilities nearby
Launch at Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour or Woodman Point; fills (including trimix) through Perth technical dive centres.
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
wrecksploration.auen.wikipedia.orgmuseum.wa.gov.auuwauc.org.auen.wikipedia.orgmuseum.wa.gov.authescubadirectory.comRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.