Yongala Dive

Some wrecks are famous; the S.S. Yongala is legendary. Sitting within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, just 12 nautical miles from Yongala Dive's base at Alva Beach in Queensland, Australia, it ranks among the world's top wreck dives. The ship sank in 1911 with the loss of all aboard and lay undiscovered for more than half a century, one of Australia's most intriguing maritime mysteries.

What you'll see

Today the coral-encrusted structure teems with life. Giant gropers hang beneath the stern, schools of giant trevally and cobia gather around the hull, and sea snakes glide harmlessly past divers. Look for turtles lazily feeding, rays sweeping gracefully overhead, and thousands of other creatures. The Yongala Wreck and nearby Stanley Reef sit a mere 30 minutes from shore aboard the purpose-built Yongala Express.

A PADI 5 Star Dive Resort with 2 PADI instructors, Yongala Dive offers air fills, nitrox, and scuba equipment rental, with onsite accommodation, a dive boat, air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and parking. English is spoken, making it a natural fit for wreck-diving enthusiasts.