Australian Wreck
Protected Area
Pulau Rusukan Besar Marine Park
Why dive here
With 142+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, blue-spotted stingrays, eagle rays, sea turtles and sperm whales - Australian Wreck offers some of Sipadan's richest wreck diving. Water ranges 28-31°C, warmest August, September, October.
The Australian Wreck isn't about massive, intact structures you can penetrate for ages. Instead, it’s a relatively small, old fishing boat that sank in the 1980s. But don't let its size fool you; this site offers a completely different vibe from Sipadan's famous wall dives. We love it because it’s a living testament to how quickly the ocean reclaims its own. Dropping down, the wreck appears as a dark shape against the blue, usually resting upright. Visibility can be epic here, sometimes pushing 30 metres, which makes the approach quite dramatic. We often find schooling batfish circling the mast, thick silver walls that part as you swim through. There are plenty of nooks and crannies for macro life too; look closely for decorator crabs and pygmy seahorses clinging to the growth. It’s an easy, relaxed dive, perfect for a second or third dip of the day when you’re not chasing pelagics.
Safety Notes
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
Australian Wreck Wreck History
Vessel Type
barge
Cause
unknown
Shrouded in mystery, the so-called "Australian Wreck" is a small, unidentified vessel lying on the sandy bottom near the world-famous dive destination of Sipadan. Its true name and the story of its sinking have been lost to time, leaving divers to speculate on its origins. The prevailing theory is that it was a transport barge, possibly of Australian origin from the WWII era, that met an unfortunate end in these tropical waters. Today, what was once a simple vessel has been transformed by the sea into a vibrant artificial reef.
As a dive site, the wreck offers a fantastic counterpoint to Sipadan's sheer walls. Resting in relatively shallow water, it's an accessible dive teeming with life. The structure is now completely encrusted in hard and soft corals, providing a home for a dense population of reef fish. Divers can expect to be greeted by schools of jackfish, fusiliers, and batfish, while a closer inspection of the wreckage reveals nudibranchs, frogfish, and moray eels hiding in its many crevices. It serves as a perfect example of how nature reclaims man-made objects, creating a beautiful and lively underwater habitat.
Nearest Dive Centres to Australian Wreck
Dive shops near Australian Wreck
LABUAN RUSUKAN BESAR TOUR AND TRAVEL SDN. BHD
Oceanic Quest Dive Centre
Poni Divers
Reviews for Australian Wreck
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Australian Wreck
Australian Wreck Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Australian Wreck, sourced from Copernicus Marine satellite data
August Averages
Sea Temperature
30.56°C
87°F
Current Speed
14.04 cm/s
Direction: N (355.9°)
Chlorophyll-a
0.086 mg/m³
Very clear (oligotrophic)
Salinity
32.69 PSU
Data sources: Copernicus Marine Service (EU)
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