wreck

Log This Dive

HMAS VAMPIRE

The HMAS Vampire is a proper dive, no doubt about it. We love a historical wreck, and this one, sunk by Japanese dive bombers in 1942, has a real story behind it. Sitting bolt upright at 50 metres, she's certainly a deep dive, making it one for experienced divers with the right training and gas. Dropping down onto her deck, the sense of history is immediate. You can still make out the gun mounts and parts of the superstructure, now heavily encrusted. Schools of fusiliers often mill above the deck, and we've seen dogtooth tuna cruise by in the blue. Inside, penetration is limited, but we’ve poked our heads into a few of the more accessible compartments, spotting lionfish tucked into shadowy corners. Our favourite part has to be the stern, where the prop is still visible, a dramatic sight against the deep blue. Conditions here can vary, but when the current is mild and the visibility good, it’s an incredible dive, well worth the logistical effort.