AROSA

Best months: Jan–Dec

Protected Area

Slyne Head to Ardmore Point Islands SPA

Why dive here

With 169+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales, ocean sunfish (mola mola) and octopuses - AROSA offers some of West Coast's richest wreck diving. Water sits around 9°C.

Marine lifeDolphins, Dwarf Minke Whales, Humpback Whales, Ocean Sunfish (Mola Mola) and Octopuses · 169+ species recorded

Water9°C · warmest January, February, March

CharacterWreck dive · max 40m

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

The AROSA, a 35.8-meter fishing vessel, rests at 40 meters after running aground on Doonguddle Rock in 2000. It's a sombre site, given the history, but it’s an intriguing dive. We find the wheelhouse usually intact enough for a quick look inside, and the trawler gear, winches and nets, are still visible, draped over the deck. Look for conger eels peering from the darker corners and plenty of wrasse darting in and out of the superstructure. It's a deep dive, really for experienced divers comfortable with limited visibility and colder temperatures, but the structure itself offers plenty to explore for those who take their time.