Meet the site
The Sepia was a three-masted iron barque of about 725 tons and 54 m. Launched in 1864, she left London in September 1898 bound for Fremantle with a cargo of alcoholic drinks and general goods. On the night of 28 December 1898 she hit a submerged rock on Five Fathom Bank, recorded as Challenger Rock, and sank in less than ten minutes.
The wreck lies in 12–15 m south-west of Carnac Island. It is broken up but still relatively intact in places. Its most remarkable feature is in the stern cargo hold, where hundreds of bottles remain neatly stacked and barrels lie on their sides, much as they were loaded. There are also many small artefacts scattered through the site. The wreck has been heavily looted in the past, which makes what remains more important: the Sepia is protected under the Historic Shipwrecks Act, and removing or disturbing anything is an offence.
The iron structure supports sponges and ascidians, and the usual Five Fathom Bank fish, such as buffalo bream, bullseyes, old wives and wrasse, shelter around it.
The site is very exposed and can be dived only in good weather with low swell and offshore winds. Visibility is usually 3–10 m and can drop quickly with ground swell.
The Sepia suits Open Water divers with boat experience and a strong interest in maritime history. The stacked cargo makes it one of the more evocative historic wrecks in the Perth area. It combines well with Challenger Rock nearby for a second, shallower dive.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Sepia 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 Sepia 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 Sepia 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, bullseyes, old wives, wrasse, sponges, ascidians
Location
Remains of the iron barque Sepia, lost in 1898, in 12–15 m between Carnac and Garden Islands, south-west of Carnac, with bottles still stacked in the cargo hold.
Facilities nearby
Woodman Point and Rockingham boat ramps.
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.commarinelife.org.audivingwawrecks.comRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.
