Meet the site
The Nord is widely regarded as Tasmania's finest wreck dive; Australian Geographic noted that those in the know rate it second only to the Yongala among Australian wreck dives. She was a steel cargo steamer of 88 m (about 290 ft) and roughly 1,475 tons, British-registered, carrying case oil and benzine from Melbourne to Hobart. On 7 November 1915 she struck an uncharted pinnacle near the Hippolyte Rocks, was abandoned, and foundered the following day in Munro Bight. All 42 crew survived. Today the wreck sits upright on a sandy seabed at 42 m. Eaglehawk Dive Centre describes her as remarkably intact for her age: the superstructure has collapsed, but the bow and stern are reasonably intact and the rudder still moves; the ABC's 2024 account describes the hull as split in half on the sand. Brass fittings and Chinese crockery have been reported inside. The attraction is as much the life as the steel. The Divers Alert Network describes an enormous rudder and propeller glowing a soft yellow-orange under their coat of zoanthids and sponges, and the hull and machinery are covered in encrusting invertebrates. Huge schools of butterfly perch and bullseyes swirl over the wreck, and fur seals have been seen hunting there. Visibility can exceed 20 m on good days. The Nord is strictly for experienced divers: the operators require Deep Diver Specialty or equivalent, and the site is exposed to southerly and easterly weather and currents. At 40 m on air, bottom time is short, so many divers use twin cylinders, nitrox for decompression or trimix to extend their time. Penetration is not advisable given the collapsed superstructure. A calm day on the Nord is a highlight of any trip to Tasmania.
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 Nord is recorded as Wreck in Tasman Peninsula. 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.
- Lines and obstructions
- Discuss any known entanglement concerns and the suitability of the planned area.
- Planned depth
- Confirm the intended route and training requirements; the recorded maximum is not a target.
- Overhead environments
- Ask whether the plan stays entirely in open water. A wreck or cave listing is not permission or training to enter.
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 Nord 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 SS Nord 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
Zoanthids, jewel anemones, sponges, hydroids, butterfly perch (huge schools), bullseyes, ling, rock lobster, fur seals
Location
Steel cargo steamer sitting upright on sand in 42 m in Munro Bight, between Cape Hauy and Cape Pillar on the Tasman Peninsula, after striking a pinnacle near the Hippolyte Rocks in 1915.
Facilities nearby
Departs Fortescue Bay ramp (private) or Pirates Bay/Port Arthur (charters).
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
eaglehawkdive.com.audiscovertasmania.com.auen.wikipedia.orgaustraliangeographic.com.augoldcoastdiveadventures.com.augodivetas.com.augodivetas.com.auabc.net.audan.orgmarinelife.org.auxray-mag.comtsdc.org.auscubadiving.comRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.