wreck

Log This Dive

PORT CHALMERS

Port Chalmers isn't your typical deep-sea wreck dive. It’s better, in our opinion. This sailing vessel, sunk in 1886 off the Manacles, now lies in just two metres of water, making it perfect for a snorkel or a very shallow shore dive. We love this site because it’s so accessible and yet packed with history. You can trace the outline of its 76-metre hull, even seeing bits of the original structure poking through the kelp. Imagine this: the sunlight filtering through the shallow water, illuminating the barnacle-encrusted plates of steel. Schools of juvenile pollack dart in and out of the crevices, and we’ve often spotted a grumpy crab or two scuttling across the seabed, using the wreck as shelter. It feels incredibly personal to be able to get so close to something that was once so grand, now reclaimed by the sea. For photographers, the natural light is a huge bonus, and for those who prefer not to don a full set of gear, it’s a truly rewarding snorkel. We’d suggest going at high tide for the best visibility over the wreck.