Northern Territory
Diving in Darwin Harbour
Darwin Harbour is Australia's most historic wreck-diving location. The Japanese air raid of 19 February 1942 sank the USAT Meigs, SS Mauna Loa, British Motorist, Zealandia, Kelat and others, and they remain as protected war graves in 15–25 m, along with the Song Saigon refugee boat and a scatter of barges and aircraft. Visibility is low (3–8 m) and the tidal range reaches 8 m, so every dive is planned around slack water on the neap tides.
THE LOCAL PLANNING BRIEF
Understand the options around Darwin Harbour
Use harbour records for research, not self-directed entry
Harbour records may describe historical sites or past activities. Their presence here does not establish a current visitor service or a suitable place to enter the water. Follow current NT Government crocodile-safety information and discuss any proposed activity with a qualified local provider. Ask whether the named site is part of a currently offered, appropriate itinerary before arranging travel around it.
One useful question: Is there a current operator-led activity at this exact location, and which official guidance and permissions apply?
What this regional directory records Counts describe published records, not bookable trips or confirmed open sites.
There are 42 published site records in Darwin Harbour. The recorded categories include wreck (23), aircraft wreck (8), reef (5), artificial reef (2). These categories reflect the database; they are not a ranking, a conditions report or an assessment of your suitability.
Use the Darwin Harbour site cards to compare recorded access and depth, then open the individual pages for the map accuracy and source notes. Sites grouped in a region are not necessarily close enough to combine in one day.
Research operators in Northern Territory →Ask before booking
- Is there a current, appropriate operator-led activity at this location?
- Which official access and wildlife guidance applies?
- What permissions and travel arrangements must be confirmed?
Save the answers with the contact name and date. Separate confirmed arrangements from items still waiting for a reply.
Record your trip questions →Questions, answered
How do I choose a dive in Darwin Harbour?
Begin with the individual site and its source notes, then discuss the proposed trip with a local provider. The 42 published records are research options, not a list of trips available today. Match the plan to your training, recent experience and the operator’s current requirements.
When should I visit Darwin Harbour for diving?
Choose dates with a provider who runs the activity you want, then discuss seasonal patterns, recent conditions and alternative itineraries. A generic best-month claim cannot establish the conditions at your exact site or guarantee a wildlife encounter.
Can I use these maps to enter or navigate a dive site?
No. Recorded and approximate map positions support orientation only. Confirm the exact access, permissions, meeting point and route with the responsible local provider or manager.
Regional planning context: NT Government — Be Crocwise ↗. Directory counts come from published YouDive records. Individual site claims remain subject to their source and review notes.
Dive sites in this region
WreckDarwin Harbour
NR Diemen
Upright, intact Cyclone Tracy trawler in 12 m with some of the harbour's best fish life - Darwin's best beginner wreck.
WreckDarwin Harbour
Song Saigon
An upright 40 m steel refugee boat with open holds, good coral and strong fish life, beside two other wrecks.
Artificial ReefDarwin Harbour
Stokes Hill Wharf Artificial Reef
A shallow fish-attracting reef under Darwin's busiest fishing platform, next to the remnants of the 1942 Neptuna.
Pinnacle/BommieDarwin Harbour
The Pinnacle
A ridge rising from 15 m to 5 m, with big fish at the base and clouds of small fish on the top.
Aircraft WreckDarwin Harbour
US Navy Catalina 6 (heritage zone)
The most intact US Navy Catalina in Darwin Harbour - protected in a no-entry heritage zone.
WreckDarwin Harbour
Van Bruggen
A small steel yacht scuttled by fishermen beside the Rick Mills reef - an easy 14 m second dive.
Pinnacle/BommieDarwin Harbour
Weed Reef Bommies
Large bommies with an overhang packed with colourful sponge and soft coral life; sargassum at its best around August.
ReefDarwin Harbour
Bennetts Bottom
A deep, rarely visited reef at 32 m with rich coral and fish life.
Details need confirmationWreckDarwin Harbour
Bluebird
A little-known Cyclone Tracy trawler wreck on DSAC's list - a club site for divers who have done the rest.
Details need confirmationWreckDarwin Harbour
Buffalo LVT amphibious vehicle
A virtually intact WWII-type Buffalo amphibious tractor sitting upright on a rocky outcrop.
Details need confirmationReefDarwin Harbour
Channel Rock
A channel-side rock with Darwin's best odds of turtles, plus rays, barracuda and big schools.
Details need confirmationArtificial ReefDarwin Harbour
Lee Point Culvert Reefs
600 six-metre culverts in a 3.6 km pattern linking the Lee Point reefs - a navigable field of fish shelters.
Details need confirmationJetty/PierDarwin Harbour
Mandorah Jetty
Encrusted ferry-jetty pylons and bottom rubbish with barramundi, groper and batfish - Darwin's best jetty dive.
Details need confirmationReefDarwin Harbour
Nightcliff Reef
A small inshore macro reef off Nightcliff, close to the northern suburbs.
Details need confirmationWreckDarwin Harbour
Sandbar Barge
A small upright barge near Cullen Bay that punches above its weight for snapper, jewfish and cod.
Details need confirmationWallDarwin Harbour
The Ridge (Darwin)
A deep rock wall at 33-40 m with huge gorgonian fans and schools of sweetlip and trevally.
Details need confirmationAircraft WreckDarwin Harbour
US Navy Catalina No.4/8 (Catalina 5)
A US Navy PBY burned and sunk in the 1942 raids; wings collapsed by the fuel fire.
Details need confirmationAircraft WreckDarwin Harbour
US Navy Catalina No.41 (Catalina 4)
Remains of a US Navy Patrol Wing 10 flying boat burned and sunk in the Japanese attacks on Darwin.
Details need confirmation