TRIAL (1622)
Montebello Islands, Western Australia
Fully rigged sailing vessel
VESSEL DETAILS
Launched:
1621, England, (probably Plymouth)
Sank:
1622, wrecked
Length:
Unknown
Beam:
Unknown
Displacement:
500 tons
Speed:
Unknown
Crew & passengers:
143
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
The oldest known Australian shipwreck, Trial, is located in the Montebello Islands, a group of over 100 islands, 120 kilometres (75 mi) west of Dampier in Western Australia’s north west.
The crew of the Trial were the first Englishmen to sight Australia.
Trial, also known as Tryall or Tryal, departed on her maiden voyage from Plymouth, England bound for Batavia, Indonesia in 1621 with 143 on board.
After replenishing supplies in South Africa, the vessel was following the new Brouwer Route to take advantage of the route shortening Roaring Forties winds.
After a navigation error by the inexperienced crew, she struck uncharted submerged rocks, now known as Tryal Reef.
Tragically, 93 lost their lives and the others, all but one who died on route, made it safely to Batavia separately in a skiff and longboat.
The wreck site was discovered by divers in 1969 and still has anchors, cannons and debris around the wreck site.
The Montebello Islands were also the location Operation Hurricane, where three test atomic bombs were detonated by the British in the 1950’s.
The first bomb was set off in 1952 on HMS Plym (K271) anchored in 12 metres (40’), all that remains are a few remnants and a huge crater. The site, now radioactive safe, is certainly worth a visit.
The Montebello Marine Park is a breeding ground for four species of marine turtle and many sea birds.
Whale sharks and humpback whales also visit the park during their migration seasons.
Special thanks to Name Name of Montebello Safaris
Copyright © 2025 Steve Sinclair
DIVE DETAILS
Scuba:
By arrangement, Open Water
Snorkelling:
Yes, fantastic!
Access:
Boat only (Live aboard)
Depth:
3 – 10 metres (10-115’)
Visibility:
20 – 40+ metres (65-130+’)
Water temperature:
19 – 26°C (66-79°F)
Seasonal:
No, but April to June best
OTHER GREAT DIVES WHILE IN THE AREA
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 apreferred dive services.
DIVE SERVICES
MONTEBELLO SAFARIS
PO Box 388
Exmouth Western Australia 6707
+61 (0) 419 091 670
admin@montebello.com.au
www.montebello.com.au
OTHER SERVICES
Need somewhere to eat, drink or stay?
POT SHOT HOTEL RESORT
561 Murat Road
Exmouth WA 6707
+61 (8) 9949 1200
reception@potshotresort.com
www.potshotresort.com
DIVE TRAVEL SERVICES
LOCATION
State or Territory:
Western Australia
Nearest City:
Perth
Nearest Regional City:
Carnarvon
Nearest Town:
Exmouth
HOW TO GET THERE
Air:
Nearest International Airport:
Perth
Nearest Domestic/Regional Airport:
Exmouth (Learmonth)
Road:
Perth to Exmouth:
14 hours (1,270 kms/790 mi) via National Route 1
Bus:
From Perth or Exmouth
