Meet the site
The SS Investigator was an iron-hulled screw steamer built in 1882, about 64 m long and 605 tons, working the South Australian coastal trade. On 24 April 1918 she grounded on rocks about 500 m south-west of Wardang Island; the Department for Environment and Water attributes the loss to inaccurate charts of this reef-strewn stretch of Spencer Gulf. She could not be saved and broke up where she lay. The wreck is very shallow, 3-4 m, and is broken and scattered across reef and sand. Its highlights are unmistakable: both The Dive Shack and SDFSA note that the ship's anchor and propeller are clearly visible, and hull plating, frames and machinery fragments lie around them. The ironwork has become a reef, and fish life is usually prolific – old wives, sweep, magpie perch, leatherjackets and schools of small baitfish, with crabs and octopus in the crevices. Because it is so shallow, the Investigator is ideal for snorkellers and new divers, and it lets photographers work in bright, natural light. It is, however, on the exposed south-western side of the island, so surge and swell are the limiting factors; on a calm easterly day it is superb. It combines naturally with the nearby Notre Dame d'Arvor and Aagot on the western side, or with the Australian, MacIntyre and Monarch on the southern shore, making a full day of wreck diving on the trail. Because the site is so shallow, a single cylinder lasts a long time, and snorkellers in the boat party can enjoy it as much as divers. Photographers get the best results around the middle of the day when the sun is high and the ironwork is lit through the clear water.
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 Investigator Wreck is recorded as Wreck in Yorke Peninsula. 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 SS Investigator 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 SS Investigator 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
Old wives, sweep, magpie perch, leatherjackets, baitfish schools, crabs, octopus, kelp and algae
Location
Iron screw steamer grounded in 1918 about 500 m south-west of Wardang Island, lying in 3-4 m with her anchor and propeller clearly visible.
Facilities nearby
Port Victoria ramp, kiosk with air fills, 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
environment.sa.gov.ausdfsa.netthediveshack.com.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.