Rowley Shoals, Australia
    Mermaid Reef

    Lively Shipwreck

    Best months: Jul–Sep

    Protected Area

    Mermaid Reef

    Why dive here

    With 365+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, giant moray eels, grey reef sharks, hammerhead sharks and humpback whales - Lively Shipwreck offers some of Rowley Shoals's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 26-31°C, warmest January, February, March.

    Best timeJul–Sep
    WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit
    Marine lifeBarracuda, Giant Moray Eels, Grey Reef Sharks, Hammerhead Sharks and Humpback Whales · 365+ species recorded
    Water26-31°C · warmest January, February, March
    CharacterWreck dive
    StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

    We love a wreck that feels like a real discovery, and the Lively at Rowley Shoals delivers exactly that. It’s not just a collection of scattered parts; this is a proper shipwreck, a British clipper that ran aground way back in 1879. You really get a sense of history here. We’ve found ourselves finning through huge schools of fusiliers, so thick they almost block out the light, darting between the corroded ribs and plating. Keep an eye out for the resident trevally and groupers that patrol the deeper sections of the wreck. This site is a fantastic choice for experienced wreck divers who appreciate the story behind the metal, and it offers plenty to explore without feeling overwhelming. Visibility here is usually excellent, often pushing 30 metres, which makes those penetration sections feel a lot more comfortable. Our favourite part? The way the sunlight shafts through the gaps in the hull, illuminating the clouds of glassfish sheltering within. It’s a proper adventure.

    Safety Notes

    Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.

    Today05:3718:0112h 24m daylightGolden hour 17:32

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    Conditions

    Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Lively Shipwreck

    Lively Shipwreck Ocean Conditions

    Monthly averages for Lively Shipwreck, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (-17.32, 119.35) (6km away)

    ExcellentGreatGoodFairPoor★Best monthsThis month

    October Averages

    Sea Temperature

    29°C

    84°F · Range: 26.6–31°C

    Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data

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