Dive-site story
Resting within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park off Cape Bowling Green, the SS Yongala sank during a cyclone in 1911 and remains one of the world's most intact historic shipwrecks. The hull sits upright on an open sandy seabed, functioning as an isolated artificial reef that concentrates extraordinary densities of pelagic and benthic fauna. Due to exposure to open-ocean swell and tidal currents, the wreck serves as a focal point for hunting trevally, circling sharks, and resident megafauna. Penetration into the interior structure is strictly forbidden under heritage protection laws.
Massive aggregation of marine life surrounding an intact century-old passenger and cargo steamship
Frequent close encounters with giant Queensland groupers, sea snakes, and hunting giant trevally
Vibrant coverage of soft corals, sea fans, and sponges encrusting the iron hull and superstructure
Location
Use the map to plan with your operator and confirm the exact entry point on the day.
Seasonality
Winter and spring offer optimal visibility, cooler conditions, and chances to spot migrating humpbacks or manta rays.
Marine life
| Species | Likelihood | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Queensland GrouperEpinephelus lanceolatus | Common | ||||||||||||
| Giant TrevallyCaranx ignobilis | Common | ||||||||||||
| Olive Sea SnakeAipysurus laevis | Common | ||||||||||||
| Bull SharkCarcharhinus leucas | Seasonal | ||||||||||||
| Manta RayMobula alfredi | Seasonal | ||||||||||||
| Humpback WhaleMegaptera novaeangliae | Seasonal | ||||||||||||
| Eagle RayAetobatus ocellatus | Common |
Marine forecast
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