Alkimos Wreck
Protected Area
Two Rocks
Why dive here
Alkimos Wreck is a wreck dive in Western Australia - South, Australia.
The Alkimos Wreck, off Western Australia’s south coast, isn’t your typical upright, intact steel hull. It’s a huge, broken mess, scattered across the seafloor, which for us, makes it far more interesting. We love how the story of its failed towing and eventual demise plays out in the debris field below. You’ll find sections of plating, bulkheads, and machinery strewn about, creating a fascinating landscape for exploration. Visibility here can be a bit variable, but on a good day, the light plays beautifully through the gaps in the collapsed structure. Look closely among the bent metal; we’ve often spotted schooling yellowtail scad darting through the openings and hefty Western blue groper nosing around the larger sections. We’d suggest a slow, methodical dive here, giving yourself time to really appreciate the scale of the destruction and the resilience of the marine life that's made it home. This one suits divers who enjoy a bit of history and don't mind a wreck that requires some imagination to piece together.
Typical Alkimos Wreck Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Depth of 25m - Advanced Open Water certification recommended.
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.
Alkimos Wreck Wreck History
Year Sunk
1963
Vessel Type
cargo ship
Cause
grounding
The SS Alkimos has one of the most storied and spooky histories of any wreck in Australia. Originally built in the US in 1943 as the Liberty Ship SS George M. Shriver, it served in World War II before being sold to a Greek shipping company after the war and renamed Alkimos. Its life was plagued by misfortune, including repairs after a collision and a mysterious murder-suicide onboard. In 1963, while under tow to the Philippines for repairs, a storm caused the towline to snap, and the ship ran aground on the reefs north of Perth. Several salvage attempts failed, and the ship was eventually abandoned to the elements.
For decades, the deteriorating wreck of the Alkimos was a landmark, with parts visible above the water. It has since collapsed and is now fully submerged, offering a popular dive for those intrigued by its haunted reputation. Divers report eerie feelings, strange noises, and unexplained equipment malfunctions, adding a supernatural thrill to the exploration. The wreck is broken up, creating a complex habitat for a rich variety of marine life, including large schools of fish and the occasional wobbegong shark. Diving the Alkimos is as much about exploring a piece of maritime folklore as it is about seeing the vessel itself.
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