wreck

Log This Dive

MATER NOSTRA (PROBABLY)

Alright, Mater Nostra. This isn't your deep, dramatic wreck dive, and that's precisely why we love it. Sunk in 1972 after running aground in the fog near Mal di Ventre Island, this old tanker sits in a remarkable five metres of water. It's truly astonishing how accessible it is. The Mater Nostra is a proper playground. We spent ages just finning over the deck, peering into the open holds where light spills in, making the resident damselfish glow. You can see the stern, the bow, and a good chunk of the superstructure still intact. Our favourite part? The way the light plays through the skeletal ribs of the hull, creating these shifting patterns on the sandy seabed. It's a photographer's dream, especially on a bright, sunny afternoon when the visibility stretches for miles. Look for moray eels tucked into the darker corners and nudibranchs grazing on the metalwork. It's a shallow, leisurely dive, perfect for extending your bottom time and just soaking in the history. We'd suggest going early to avoid any boat traffic.