• Scuba dive on one of the Top 5 Wreck Dives in the World, the S.S. Yongala on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.
• S.S. Yongala 1 day dive trips now available from Townsville and Magnetic Island for certified open water divers.
• On your 1 day S.S. Yongala ship wreck dive you have the opportunity for 2 certified dives to see some of the most magnificent marine life in the ocean with species not seen in other parts of the world.
• The S.S. Yongala ship wreck has been under the ocean for 109 years and is home to Queensland Gropers, Giant Trevally, Manta Rays, Eagle Rays, Turtles and other large reef fish along with magnificent vibrant coral towers.

Louded as Australia’s Best Ship Wreck Dive site and one of the top must do dives in the world is our S.S. Yongala Wreck Dive. We now offer a 1 day Yongala dive tours from Townsville and Magnetic Island for certified open water scuba divers all year round on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia.

The S.S. Yongala ship wreck dive is today one of the most desired dive experiences in the world and its right here on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia near Townsville and Ayr, easily accessible by boat from both Townsville and Magnetic Island each Wednesday and Saturday.

The plethora of marine life and varieties of corals are second to none with some species not seen in other parts of the world.

More than 10,000 certified open water divers flock to Townsville and Magnetic Island on the Great Barrier Reef to see it for themselves and tick it off their bucket list of the most impressive wreck dives in the world they wish to visit.

S.S. Yongala Dive Tours - A bit of maritime history

The 110m steel hull passenger ship S.S. Yongala sank during a cyclone on March 23rd 1911 off Cape Bowling Green En-route from Melbourne to Cairns.

Unfortunately she was not yet fitted with wireless equipment and missed the cyclone flag signals that were hoisted after she departed the mainland, sailing thru the Whitsunday Passage and eventually losing sight of Mackay in the open seas of the Great Barrier Reef. 

All 122 people aboard the ship lost their lives in the treacherous seas.

Over the years as technology advanced the ship wreck was found and finally it was dived in 1958.

The S.S. Yongala ship wreck begins 15m below the surface and extends to 29m. Protected under the Historic Shipwreck Act (1976), the artefacts, marine life and variety of corals that cover the wreck are second to none.

She is one of the largest and most well preserved shipwrecks on the Great Barrier Reef 

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

S.S. Yongala Dive Tours – Ship Details

Built in 1903

Sank 1911 during a cyclone

Length 363ft (110m)

Breadth 46ft, 3 in (14.1m)

Found 1958

Loss of 122 lives

Gross tonnage 3664

Itinerary

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 Passengers board from Nelly Bay, Magnetic Island

09:50 Yongala Wreck site briefings

10:20 Guided divers’ brief

11:00 Arrive at the Yongala Wreck Site

11:15 Dive 1

12:00 Lunch BYO

13:00 Dive 2

14:00 Depart site for Nelly Bay

16:45 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.

Tour Languages Offered

• English

Departs From

Townsville city

Departure Time

• 7:00am Townsville Breakwater Marina
• 7:50am Magnetic Island

Departure Instructions

• Townsville Boarding Point: The Townsville Breakwater Marina at 7:00am, there is a map below for your information. The boat departs Townsville at 7:30am. Returns to Townsville at approximately 5:15pm.
• Parking: Along the Strand or side streets along the Strand or full day paid parking at the Sealink Ferry Terminal starting at $8AUD for standard vehicles (approx. 15m walk to meeting point)
• Magnetic Island Boarding Point: Please meet at Nelly Bay Ferry Terminal at 7:50am.

Destinations

S.S. Yongala Wreck site

Months of Operation

January - December

Days of Operation

Wednesday, Friday

Closed Christmas Day

Duration

Full Day tour – Approximately 9 hours

Available for Purchase / Hire

• $10ea Shared Dive Guide (Mandatory for divers with less than 15 logged dives)
• $25ea Adventure Dives/ $295 PADI Advanced Open Water Diver Course
• Nitrox Tanks $25ea

Fitness Level Required

Active

IN-WATER RESTRICTIONS

Scuba Diving Restrictions

• Certain medical conditions and medications may preclude some people from scuba diving.
• Participation is subject to a medical questionnaire completed on board with the tour operator
• Minimum age for scuba diving is 12 years.
• Flying after scuba diving: a wait of 12 hours is recommended after one dive, 18 hour after 2 dives and at least 24 hours after multiple dives, before ascending to an altitude of 300 metres or greater.

Read more about Diving Safety on the Great Barrier Reef.

• Minimum age 12
• Children under 12 no diving