EX-HMAS SWAN (1997)
Dunsborough, Western Australia
HMAS Swan II (DE 50) – River-class destroyer escort
VESSEL DETAILS
Launched:
1967, Williamstown, Australia
Sank:
1997, scuttled
Length:
113 metres (372’)
Beam:
12 metres (41’)
Displacement:
2,100 tons
Speed:
30 knots
Crew:
250
Passengers:
Nil
Motto:
“Forward”
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 Swan II (DE 50), Fluffy Duck as she was affectionately known, was the first of seven former Royal Australian Navy ships, “The Magnificent Seven”, to be deliberately sunk for recreational diving.
She was spectacularly scuttled by explosions on the morning of 14 December 1997 in front of over 10,000 spectators.
She now sits upright on her keel in 30 metres (100’) of water just off Meelup Beach near Dunsborough in Geographe Bay.
Unlike other scuttled ex-navy ships, Swan was not completely gutted and the galley, laundry and operations room are still readily recognisable.
Dunsborough is a three hour (250 km/155 mi) drive south of Perth via State Route 2.
Ex-HMAS Swan is also one of Australia’s 50 Great Dives! READ MORE
Copyright © 2025 Steve Sinclair
DIVE DETAILS
Scuba:
Advanced Diver (Supervised Open Water Diver)
Snorkelling:
Breathtaking snorkelling & freediving!
Access:
Boat only (5 minutes)
Depth:
9 – 30 metres (10-100’)
Visibility:
15 – 30 metres (50-100’)
Water temperature:
15 – 21°C (59-70°F)
Seasonal:
No, but September to June best
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.
DIVE SERVICES
PERTH SCUBA
4/180 Bannister Road
Canning Vale WA 6155
+61 (8) 9455 4448
info@perthscuba.com
www.perthscuba.com
SPECIAL OFFER: 50% off gear hire or $30 off for a Blue Destiny double dive
To redeem: Email info@perthscuba.com & quote 50 Great Dives
DIVE TRAVEL SERVICES
LOCATION
State or Territory:
Western Australia
Nearest City:
Perth
Nearest Regional City:
Busselton
Nearest Town:
Dunsborough
HOW TO GET THERE
Air:
Nearest International Airport:
Perth
Nearest Domestic/Regional Airport:
Perth
Road:
Perth to Dunsborough:
Just under 3 hours (250 km/155 mi) via State Route 2
Bus:
From Perth
Train:
Not available
