Meet the site
The Bulli was an iron screw steamer that struck an uncharted rock in the Kent Group on 27 July 1877. The Marine Life Network guide records that an attempt to salvage her with wooden pontoons failed during a gale, and that she was declared a historic wreck in 1990. It rates her 8 out of 10: the hull stands about 5 m off a sandy bottom in 13-16 m, 200 m from shore, orientated north-east to south-west, reasonably intact but broken amidships with her coal cargo spilling out. The well-lit wreck is covered in colourful growth and attracts abundant fish, making it very photogenic. Damage from a naval anchor strike is visible, and many artefacts have been removed, although observant divers may still spot some. The Marine Life Network guide's descriptions are the only detailed published account, so expect some changes in the decades since and plan to explore.
The Kent Group is one of the most isolated island groups in Australian waters, protected as the Kent Group National Park on land, with the surrounding waters managed as a marine reserve. It sits in the middle of Bass Strait where warm and cool currents mix, and its granite walls and clear water support rich invertebrate growth rarely seen by divers. The historic Deal Island lighthouse (1848), once the highest in the southern hemisphere, overlooks the anchorages.
With no facilities beyond the caretakers' station and a long passage back to the mainland or Flinders Island, any diving injury is a serious emergency requiring aeromedical evacuation, most likely to Melbourne's Alfred Hospital. Diving here is for experienced, completely self-sufficient expedition divers.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
SS Bulli (Kent Group) is recorded as Wreck in Kent Group. The listed access is boat (multi-day/liveaboard). 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.
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 SS Bulli (Kent Group) 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 SS Bulli (Kent Group) 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
Colourful encrusting growth, schooling fish, wrasse, leatherjackets, magpie perch
Location
Iron screw steamer Bulli (1877), standing 5 m off a sandy bottom in 13-16 m about 200 m from shore in Murray Pass near West Cove, Deal Island.
Facilities nearby
None apart from the Deal Island caretakers' station; no fuel, water or supplies for visitors.
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
marinelife.org.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.