Yongala Dive – Townsville – Day Dive Trip to the SS Yongala Shipwreck

This is a dive you do not want to miss!

Departures: Wednesday and Saturdays

The S.S. Yongala Wreck is positioned in the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, however no physical reef other than the shipwreck itself exists. The Yongala after sinking 109 years ago in 1911 has become its own eco reef system drawing a huge variety of marine life earning infamy as one of Australia’s top dive sites.

The upside to scuba diving the wreck is you can’t get lost. It is a deep dive and therefore having you Advanced Dive Certification is recommended however divers holding an Open Water Certification with six or more dives can dive the wreck. You will undertake the dive with a professional dive instructor which costs extra (approximately $25.00 per diver). You have the option to treat this dive as part of your Advanced Dive Certification and can get your dive instructor to sign off the dive as both a deep dive speciality and then a wreck dive speciality.

The 110m S.S. Yongala sank during a cyclone on March 23rd 1911, with the loss of all 122 people aboard. It was not until 1958 that the wreck was first dived and due to its remote location, it has remained mostly untouched. The wreck begins 15m below the surface and extends to 29m. Protected under the Historic Shipwreck Act (1976), the artifacts, marine life and variety of corals that cover the wreck are second to none.

Regularly seen are Turtles, Sea Snakes, Giant Trevally, Queensland Gropers, Eagle Rays, Manta Rays, Sharks, thousands of Tropical fish and in the cooler months, even Humpback Whales. Diving the Yongala is a bucket list trip meaning a “must do” dive no scuba diver should miss!

You can visit the Yongala on a Day Trip or a Liveaboard, your choice!

Highlights
• 2 great dives on the Yongala Wreck
• Rated in Top 10 Wreck Dives in the world
• BIG marine life and experience

Departures: Wednesday and Saturdays

Townsville Boarding: 7:00am at the Townsville Breakwater Marina Fuel Wharf

Magnetic Island Boarding: 7:50am at the Nelly Bay Ferry Terminal.

Sample Yongala Dive Day Trip Schedule
07:00 Townsville passengers meet at the Townsville Breakwater Marina,
located on the fuelling wharf at the end of Mariners Drive
07:25 Depart Townsville
07:50 Magnetic Island passengers board from Nelly Bay ferry terminal
09:00 Morning tea *BYO
09:50 Yongala Wreck site briefings
10:20 Guided divers brief
11:00 Arrive at the Yongala Wreck Site
11:15 Dive 1
12:15 Tropical lunch ** DUE TO COVID19 LUNCH IS NOT SUPPLIED
(BYO Lunch)]]]]]
13:00 Dive 2
14:00 Depart site for Nelly Bay
15:00 Afternoon Tea *BYO
16:50 Arrive and disembark passengers at Nelly Bay, Magnetic Island
17:10 Arrive and disembark at Townsville Breakwater Marina

Please note that the above schedule is as a guide only, actual times on the day may vary.

BYO – Bring your own (Only in place until COVID 19 restrictions are relaxed)
Water, Cordial, Coffee, Tea is all provided throughout the trip