DestinationsThe HMAS Swan is a stunning wreck dive near Dunsborough in Western Australia. The HMAS Swan is a former 113 m long and 21 m high destroyer escort. It was sunk in 1997 in order to create a wreck dive site and an artificial reef. It worked because now it is a major tourist attraction with about 15 000 dives every year! Following this success, the HMAS Perth was then sunk in 2001 also.
Dive site
Diving the HMAS Swan is suitable for beginner divers. The top of the shipwreck is only 6 meters deep. For the Experienced divers it is also a perfect playground with many possibilities of penetration and underwater photography. Larges holes have been constructed in the hull to allow easy entry and exit for divers. However there is a bit of silt so always be aware.
The Maximum depth is 30 metres with the shipwreck resting on the sandy bottom. The average visibility is about 20 meters with often none to very gentle current.
Marine Life
The wreck is home to around 100 different species of fish. For example you will have the opportunity to spot Batfishes, Bullseyes, Samson fishes, Cowfishes, and many more. The soft coral is also incredible to see.
Access
The HMAS swan is located in the peaceful Geographe Bay, 2.4 km away from Meelup Beach in Dunsborough, Western Australia. It takes about 3 hours to drive there from Perth (225 km).
It takes 15 minutes by boat from Dunsborough to the dive site.
The best time to dive the ex HMAS Swan is from November to May.
HMAS Swan Sinking
The HMAS Swan was sunk the 14 December 1997. You can even watch the video of the sinking.
Best time to dive: the ideal period to plan holidays here isNovember to October. Access: from the Shore. See the map of HMAS Swan on the right for the exact location.
Fishes you may spot while diving HMAS Swan
-
Bannerfish
-
Clownfish
-
Eagle Ray
-
Goatfish
-
Grouper
-
Leopard Shark
-
Lion Fish
-
Moray Eel
-
Parrotfish
... and more fishes & sea life, Bull Ray
Photos
-
Clown fishes waiting in front of their blue anemone housePhoto by Jihye Lee -
Lion Fish swimming in crystal clear waterPhoto by Agnes Tjandranegara -
Yellow Moray EelPhoto by Yann Hubert -
Eagle RayPhoto by Matthieu Billaud -
Two Lion FishPhoto by Agnes Tjandranegara -
Moray Eel And Sea UrchinsPhoto by Jihye Lee -
Stack Eagle RaysPhoto by Matthieu Billaud -
Lion Fish CloseupPhoto by Jihye Lee -
Clownfish Near AnemonePhoto by Jihye Lee -
Moray Eel IndonesiaPhoto by Jihye Lee
Diving Reviews for this region
Townsville
Explore the Yongala Wreck, one of the best dive sites in Australia! Access to the Great Barrier Reef.
Cairns
Excellent Place for scuba diving courses and to get your Padi Open Water. Main gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and Liveaboard starting point.
Great Barrier Reef
Excellent Diving and liveaboard destination. Amazing spot for Big fishes, Sharks, superb coral and underwater photography. Most popular place in the World to learn scuba diving in Cairns. One of the best dive sites in the World with the Yongala Wreck!
Ningaloo Reef
Excellent scuba diving with the chance to spot Whale Sharks or Manta Rays during the right season.
Port Douglas
Perfect gateway to the Great Barrier Reef with possibility of snorkelling tours and diving day trips. Many Liveaboard cruises start from Port Douglas.
Australia
From the Great Barrier Reef and Ningaloo to southern wrecks and seadragons, Australia rewards choosing a region and season that suit the diving you love.
Whitsunday Islands
Good Diving on the local reef dive sites and easy access to excellent diving on the Great Barrier Reef!
Liveaboard Reviews in Australia
Beware of Cape Dive Dunsborough.
I called Tracee of Cape Dive on the Monday to ensure I could book a ex-HMAS Swan dive for the following Friday. I paid via the website and got a confirmation email. I booked my overnight accommodation in Dunsborough and drove down from Perth. I called Tracee when I got there just to confirm everything and she said “nah, it’s just you. I’m not taking the boat out for one person”. No apology, nothing. When I mentioned I was out of pocket and wasted my time she said “didn’t you read the fine print”. She had my phone number (provided as part of the booking) and didn’t bother to call me. Had I not called her I would have been standing on the beach 8am Friday saying ‘WTF!’.
I would not recommend anybody to deal with this company. Very rude, and arrogant.