wreck

Log This Dive

ARANDORA STAR

The Arandora Star isn't what most divers picture when they think of a wreck dive. Forget huge ships; this is an 8.5-meter wooden fishing vessel, sunk in 2012. We love it because it’s a brilliant example of how quickly a relatively small structure can become a hub for local marine life. Dropping down to 45 meters, you'll find her sitting upright, largely intact, and absolutely smothered in plumose anemones – the white, feathery kind that wave gently in the current, making the whole wreck look soft and otherworldly. It's a surprisingly pretty dive, not for penetration, but for appreciating the transformation from working boat to artificial reef. The wheelhouse is still there, and you can peer into the small compartments where crabs scuttle. Look closely amongst the anemones and you’ll often spot squat lobsters tucked into crevices, and sometimes a conger eel coiled up in the deeper shadows. We’d suggest this one for experienced divers comfortable at depth, who appreciate the beauty of a smaller wreck and the vibrant life it now supports, rather than grand historical narratives. Dive it on a calm day; the visibility can be excellent, making those white anemones really pop against the dark wood.