Meet the site
Six of the 15 flying boats destroyed in the 3 March 1942 Japanese raid on Broome lie on the mudflats off Town Beach. On a low spring tide beneath about 1.1 m they are exposed on the drying mudbanks, about 1 km from the boat ramp. Visitors can walk among the remains of Catalinas and Dornier flying boats — engines, wing spars and fuselage frames — for a short window before the tide returns.
The raid killed at least 80 people, many of them Dutch refugees from Java aboard the flying boats. The wrecks are protected under the WA Heritage Act and treated as war graves.
Planning notes: this is primarily a snorkelling site. Expect to spend most of the dive around 0 m, with a maximum of about 1 m. It is a shore-access site that can be visited independently when conditions suit. Currents are significant, so timing around the tide is part of the plan. Best season: Spring low tides below ~1.1 m (a few days per year; check Broome tide tables). Traffic: popular (weekly charters).
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Town Beach Flying Boat Wrecks (low-tide walk) is recorded as Aircraft Wreck in Broome & Kimberley. The listed access is shore. Confirm the actual meeting point, route and permission to visit; a map pin does not establish any of these.
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 Town Beach Flying Boat Wrecks (low-tide walk) 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 Town Beach Flying Boat Wrecks (low-tide walk) 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
Mudflat life, crabs, shorebirds
Location
Six WWII flying-boat wrecks on the mudflats about 1 km off Town Beach, Broome, exposed on spring low tides below about 1.1 m.
Facilities nearby
Town Beach: parking, toilets, café, boat ramp.
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.combroomehistoricalwalkingtours.comRecord updated 27 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.