Meet the site
The Devon was a shallow-draught steamer - ideal, the Marine Life Network guide says, for the West Coast trade - that struck the Hells Gates bar on 19 September 1894 while trying to leave with a light load. She had lost propeller blades on the same bar a few weeks earlier; this time her propeller and rudder broke off and she grounded on the South Spit. The wreck is now mostly buried by sand that accumulated behind a breakwater built over her bow, but the stern is clearly visible and the steering gear breaks the surface at low water.
The guide rates it 5.5 out of 10 as an interesting snorkel in 2-3 m, warning of strong currents that occasionally sweep the bay. It is the easier of the two Hells Gates wrecks, and can be combined with a look at the Kawatiri on the opposite spit if the sea is flat.
Tasmania's west coast faces the full Southern Ocean, and the Marine Life Network guide notes that most of it is diveable only after easterly winds have flattened the swell - an uncommon event largely confined to summer. Macquarie Harbour and Cape Sorell provide the only reliable shelter from south-westerly swell. Crayfish grow large here, abalone are common and fish life is thin on exposed reefs, which are battered by constant swell.
There is no dive shop, air station or chamber anywhere on the west coast; the nearest hyperbaric chamber is the Royal Hobart Hospital, about 4 hours from Strahan by road. Every west coast dive should be treated as remote: carry oxygen, a radio and an EPIRB, and have a realistic evacuation plan.
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 Devon (Hells Gates) is recorded as Wreck in Tasmania West Coast. 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.
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 Devon (Hells Gates) suitable for my certification?
The record lists Snorkel/Any. 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 Devon (Hells Gates) 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
Minimal - weed, small fish
Location
Wreck of the shallow-draught steamer Devon (1894) on the South Spit at Hells Gates, mostly buried behind the breakwater, with the stern visible and steering gear breaking the surface at low water.
Facilities nearby
Strahan: ramp, shops, fuel.
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 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.