SOUTH TOMI (2004)
Geraldton, Western Australia
Fishing vessel
VESSEL DETAILS
Launched:
Sank:
2004, scuttled
Length:
57 metres (149’)
Beam:
Displacement:
Speed:
Crew:
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
In 2004, South Tomi was spotted illegally fishing for Patagonian toothfish over 4,000 kilometres (2,500 mi) from Perth near Heard Island in Australia’s Southern Ocean.
Her subsequent 14-day, 6,100-kilometre (3,800 mi) pursuit made headlines all over Australia. It was one of the longest Royal Australian Navy pursuits ever.
South Tomi was eventually intercepted, boarded and confiscated 500 kilometres (300 mi) off the South African coast.
Upon her arrival in Fremantle, her catch, worth over $1,000,000, was sold and the vessel was gifted to the City of Geraldton for scuttling as a dive site.
South Tomi was spectacularly scuttled using explosives in 2004 and now sits upright in 25 metres (80’) of water on sand three miles from the Batavia Coast Marina. The top of the wreck is 14 metres (45’) deep.
Before her scuttling, safe diver entry points were created along the full length of the hull and at every level.
As a result of the preparatory work prior to scuttling there is natural light throughout the wreck including the engine room.
South Tomi is encrusted with invertebrate marine life and many fish including large groper and lionfish inhabit her interior while numerous rock lobsters can be found between the hull and sand.
It should be noted that diving is currently prohibited and local operators are hopeful for a return to diving soon.
Special thanks to Tristan Coombes of Batavia Coast Dive
Copyright © 2025 Steve Sinclair
DIVE DETAILS
Scuba:
Advanced Diver (Supervised Open Water)
Snorkelling:
Yes, fantastic!
Access:
Boat only (5 minutes)
Depth:
14 – 25 metres (45-80’)
Visibility:
3 – 20 metres (10-60’)
Water temperature:
19 – 26°C (66-79°F)
Seasonal:
No, but April to June best
OTHER GREAT DIVES WHILE IN THE AREA
Long Island, Beacon Island, Turtle Bay, Anemone Lump, Coral Patches, Morley Island and Rootail Coral.
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
BATAVIA COAST DIVE
118 Northwest Coastal Highway
Geraldton WA 6530
+61 (8) 9921 4229
inf@bcda.com.au
www.bataviacoastdive.com.au
IMAGE DIVE & CHARTERS
Hillarys Boat Harbour
South Side Drive
Hillarys WA 6025
+61 (0) 417 957 870
luke@imagedive.com.au
www.imagedive.com.au
OTHER SERVICES
Need somewhere to eat, drink or stay?
THE GERALD
28 Cathedral Avenue
Geraldton WA 6530
+61 (8) 9918 0100
hello@ thegerald.com.au
www.thegerald.com.au
Book direct www.thegerald.com.au use promo code: 50greatdives to receive 10% off rates
DIVE TRAVEL SERVICES
LOCATION
State or Territory:
Western Australia
Nearest City:
Perth
Nearest Regional City:
Geraldton
HOW TO GET THERE
Air:
Nearest International Airport:
Perth
Nearest Domestic/Regional Airport:
Geraldton
Road:
Perth to Geraldton:
4.5 hours (434 km/270 mi) via National Route 1
Bus:
From Perth
