EX-HMAS PERTH (2001)
Albany, Western Australia
HMAS Perth II – Perth-class guided missile destroyer
VESSEL DETAILS
Launched:
1963, Michigan, USA
Sank:
2001, scuttled
Length:
134 metres (440’)
Beam:
14 metres (47’)
Displacement:
4,720 tons
Speed:
35 knots
Crew:
333
Passengers:
Nil
Motto:
“Fight and Flourish”
WARNING: Wrecks should not be penetrated without proper training & equipment!
NOTE: All wrecks and related artifacts older than 75 years in Australian waters are protected by the Australian Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976. Nothing can be taken!
INFORMATION
Former HMAS Perth II was the lead ship of three Perth-class guided missile destroyers operated by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).
She was built in the United States and entered service with the RAN in 1965.
HMAS Perth, HMAS Hobart scuttled in Yankalilla Bay near Adelaide, South Australia and HMAS Brisbane scuttled near Mooloolaba, Queensland were all sister ships.
The Perth was scuttled on 14 November 2001, and now sits upright on her keel in 35 metres (115’) of water, 500 metres (550 yds) southwest of Seal Island in King George Sound.
There is an historic interpretive trail around the wreck so divers can discover the ship’s historical past.
Albany is a five-hour (420 km/260 mi) drive south of Perth along the Albany Highway (State Route 30).
Perth is one of Australia’s Magnificent Seven! READ MORE
Special thanks to Gary Wellstead from Southcoast Diving Supplies.
Copyright © 2025 Steve Sinclair
DIVE DETAILS
Scuba:
Open Water Diver
Snorkelling:
Too deep for snorkelling but freediving allowed
Access:
Boat only (20 minutes)
Depth:
5 – 36 metres (15-120’)
Visibility:
5 – 20 metres (15-70’)
Water temperature:
16 – 21°C (60-70°F)
Seasonal:
No, but November to May best
OTHER GREAT DIVES WHILE IN THE AREA
Cheynes III, Seal Cove, The Cables, The Caves and Two Sisters.
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.
DIVE SERVICES
SOUTHCOAST DIVING SUPPLIES
84B Serpentine Road
Albany WA 6330
+61 (8) 9841 7176
admin@divealbany.com.au
www.divealbany.com.au
DIVE TRAVEL SERVICES
LOCATION
State or Territory:
Western Australia
Nearest City:
Perth
Nearest Regional City:
Albany
HOW TO GET THERE
Air:
Nearest International Airport:
Perth
Nearest Domestic/Regional Airport:
Albany
Road:
Perth to Albany:
Just under 5 hours (420km/260m) via Albany Hwy/State Route 30
Bus:
From Perth
