Australia’s 50 Great Dives index

cropped-50greatDivesc.jpg

EX-HMAS SWAN

Dunsborough, Western Australia

Type of dive:

Scuttled warship

Snorkelling:

Yes, breathtaking!

Scuba:

Advanced (Supervised Open Water)

Access:

Boat only (20 minutes)

Depth:

9 – 30 metres (10-100’)

Visibility:

15 – 30 metres (50-100’)

Water temperature:

18 – 21°C (64-70°F)

Seasonal:

No, can visit anytime

Ex-HMAS Swan was the first of six former Royal Australian Navy ships to be deliberately sunk for recreational diving.

She was scuttled on the morning of 14 December 1997 in front of over 10,000 spectators.

Nicknamed ‘Fluffy Duck’, HMAS Swan III (DE 50), during her active service life travelled over a million kilometres (750,000+ nmi) and spent 56,982 hours at sea.

Preparation for the scuttling took 12 months, during which time diving hazards were removed and light penetrating access points were created to allow easy and safe diver access.

Ex-HMAS Swan now sits upright on her keel in 30 metres (100’) of water, just off Meelup Beach near Dunsborough, 250 kilometres (155 mi) south of Perth.

Her location was chosen to protect the wreck from prevailing south-westerly winds and ocean swells.

The wreck provides spectacular diving, divers can explore the many nooks and crannies of the well-presented wreck, or just simply admire the marine life she now supports.

Much of the superstructure, including her forward gun turret and main mast, is still intact and supports an enormous array of fish life.

Unlike other scuttled ex-navy ships, Swan was not completely gutted and the galley, laundry and operations room are still readily recognisable.

More experienced divers are able explore the deeper waters and enjoy safe penetration into the bowels of the wreck.

Large schools of bullseyes inhabit the inner spaces of the wreck and other fish such large Samson fish, sweep and blue devils are prevalent, not to mention the odd wobbegong shark.

Ex-HMAS Swan is large and well preserved, and it takes several dives to absorb her unique character.

VESSEL DETAILS
Type:
River Class Destroyer Escort
Launched:
Williamstown 1967
Sank:
1997 (scuttled)
Length:
113 metres (372’)
Beam:
12 metres (41’)
Displacement:
2,100 tons
Speed:
30 knots
Crew:
250
Passengers:
Nil

OTHER GREAT EX-NAVY WARSHIPS
HMAS Perth (Albany, WA), HMAS Hobart (Yankalilla Bay, SA), HMAS Canberra (Ocean Grove, VIC), HMAS Brisbane (Sunshine Coast, QLD), HMAS Sydney (Avoca Beach, NSW) and HMAS Tobruk (Bundaberg & Hervey Bay, QLD).

2026 GREAT AUSTRALIAN DIVE CHALLENGE
Dive Registration
To register this dive for validation, go to: www.50greatdives.com.
NOTE: Entrants should do this dive with one of the following preferred dive services.