Meet the site
The Ulidia was a 2,378-ton, 91 m steel ship, described by some sources as a full-rigged ship built in 1889 and by others as a three-masted barque. In February 1893 she grounded at Bunbury while unloading railway iron, and her captain's certificate was suspended. Two months later, under a replacement master, she tried to leave Gage Roads with a ballast of sand from Garden Island. She weighed anchor and sailed north to clear Rottnest, but the wind shifted to the north and forced her to tack. Unable to manoeuvre, she dropped anchor, the chain failed, and on 18 May 1893 she struck Stragglers Reef, holed and flooded quickly.
The wreck lies inside the reef in 3–6 m, with the bow against the reef and wreckage spread over about 99 m. It is heavily covered in weed and concretion, but in clear conditions the scale of the hull and its frames is impressive. Divingwawrecks notes that the site often has crystal-clear water.
The reef around the wreck holds buffalo bream, sweep, wrasse, herring cale and western rock lobster, and kelp grows thickly on the wreckage.
The Ulidia is exposed to swell, prone to strong current at times and is a navigation hazard for boats, so it can be dived only on calm days. On those days it is a shallow, bright wreck dive that suits Open Water divers and snorkellers from boats. Approach with care and watch where the swell breaks. It pairs naturally with the two Stragglers dredges to the west for a second, deeper dive.
Research this site before booking Stored site notes may be historical. These questions highlight gaps without turning old instructions into a current dive plan.
Ulidia Wreck is recorded as Wreck in Perth. 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.
- 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.
- 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 Ulidia 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 Ulidia 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
Buffalo bream, sweep, wrasse, herring cale, western rock lobster, kelp and concretion growth
Location
Remains of the steel ship Ulidia, wrecked in 1893, inside Stragglers Reef in 3–6 m, with the bow against the reef.
Facilities nearby
Woodman Point, Leeuwin and Fremantle boat ramps.
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.commarinelife.org.auRecord updated 26 Sept 2026. Source claims are being reviewed.
