Ex- HMAS Swan Wreck Double Boat Dive

A warship beneath Geographe Bay awaits. This Busselton outing takes you by fast charter boat to the 113-metre HMAS Swan, where two underwater sessions reveal open rooms, steel passageways, and fish gathering around the hull. I like the generous roughly 2.5 hours in the water and the friendly, safety-minded crew, including skipper Dean and the helpful Alannah and Emma. The main catch is cost: the advertised A$178.59 price does not include the listed A$89 equipment hire, so your real total may be higher.

You meet at Quindalup Boat Ramp at 8:00 am, travel by boat to the wreck, complete two sessions, and return to the same spot about five hours later. Open Water certification is the minimum requirement, and this is an unguided outing, so you need to be comfortable managing yourself underwater. Snacks, tea, coffee, and light refreshments are supplied during the surface interval.

Key points to know before booking

• The HMAS Swan is 113 metres long: The decommissioned naval destroyer was scuttled off Dunsborough in 1997 and now offers a large site to explore.
• The depth ranges from 5 to 32 metres: Different sections suit different levels of certified divers, though you still need suitable training and confidence for the depth you plan to reach.
• You get two boat-based sessions: Total water time is about 2.5 hours, with snacks and drinks during the break.
• The outing is unguided: The crew provides a site briefing, but you are responsible for your own underwater route and buddy plan.
• Marine life is part of the appeal: Look for schools of bull’s-eye fish inside the ship, plus King George whiting, brim, Samson fish, blue devil, and sweep.
• Equipment hire costs extra: The listed hire charge is A$89 per person, so check the final price carefully before you commit.

Why the HMAS Swan is worth your time

The HMAS Swan is not a small wreck that you inspect in one short circuit. At 113 metres long, it gives you a proper sense of scale. You can spend time around the hull, enter selected rooms, and work out how the ship lies on the seabed rather than simply making a quick pass over it.

The destroyer was scuttled in 1997 just off the coast of Dunsborough. Since then, it has become an artificial reef and a home for local marine life. That gives the outing two layers: you get the structure and story of a former naval vessel, plus the changing life that now uses it for shelter.

I particularly like the depth range. The highest point sits at about 5 metres, while the deepest point reaches 32 metres. That means the site is not one uniform test. You can stay with the shallower sections if your certification and comfort level call for it, while more experienced divers have deeper areas to explore.

Still, the depth range does not make every part suitable for every person. Open Water certification is the stated minimum, but you should be honest about your recent experience, buoyancy control, and comfort around a large wreck. The trip is unguided, so you do not have a dedicated professional leading you through every room.

Meeting at Quindalup at 8:00 am

The day begins at Quindalup Boat Ramp, 371 Geographe Bay Road, Quindalup. The meeting point matters because the activity starts on the water, not at a large city terminal. Allow enough time to arrive, prepare, and listen to the crew’s instructions before departure.

The boat ride is part of the appeal. The charter boats are described as fast and comfortable, which should make the trip to the site feel like a practical transfer rather than a long haul. The maximum group size is 20 people, large enough to create a friendly boat atmosphere but still limited enough for the crew to manage equipment and safety instructions.

The boat returns to the same meeting point at the end. The total outing lasts about five hours, so I would keep the rest of the morning and early afternoon fairly open. This is not a quick add-on that fits neatly between breakfast and lunch.

Two sessions on a 113-metre naval destroyer

Once at the HMAS Swan, you make two separate underwater visits. The supplied details allow about 2.5 hours of total water time, although the exact length of each session will depend on conditions, your air supply, and the crew’s operating plan.

The first session is your chance to get oriented. A large wreck can be confusing, especially when rooms, rails, openings, and metal surfaces begin to look alike. The skipper gives a briefing about how the ship lies and what to see, and one account specifically praised the useful explanation of several possible routes through the vessel.

That briefing is important because the outing is unguided. You may receive a good site plan and practical advice, but you are not joining a follow-the-leader route. You need to remain with your buddy, monitor your air, stay within your training, and keep track of your entry and exit points.

The second session lets you use what you learned during the first. You may choose to revisit a section that caught your attention, look for marine life you missed, or explore another route along the hull. This is where the size of the HMAS Swan earns its keep. One short visit would only give you a taste; two sessions make the site feel more complete.

What you may see below the surface

The wreck itself is the main attraction, but the fish add movement and colour to the steel structure. Schools of bull’s-eye fish are often found inside rooms on the ship. Their presence gives the interior areas a living quality and makes the trip more than a lesson in naval design.

Around the hull, keep watch for King George whiting and brim. Samson fish, blue devil, and sweep are also commonly seen. Wildlife is never guaranteed, and visibility and conditions can affect what appears on the day, but the range of species gives you plenty to look for beyond the wreck itself.

The rooms are especially appealing if you enjoy careful observation. You might find fish using the interior as shelter, while the shape of the ship helps you understand how the vessel has changed since it was placed underwater. You should follow the crew’s instructions about where to go and avoid entering any area outside your training or comfort level.

The shallowest point at 5 metres can also make the site visually varied. You may move from deeper steelwork into brighter water near the top of the wreck. That range creates a natural progression between sections, rather than giving you one identical scene for the entire outing.

The boat, crew, and practical support

The crew receives strong praise for being friendly, patient, and focused on safety. Alannah is noted for excellent customer service, while Dean is praised for skippering and for explaining the ship’s layout. Emma is also thanked for helping make a first wreck outing memorable.

Those details matter because boat-based scuba trips involve more than what happens underwater. You need clear instructions while loading equipment, sensible help with preparation, and calm support if you are new to wrecks. One first-time wreck diver found the supplied equipment nearly new and well maintained, which is reassuring if you are hiring rather than bringing your own kit.

The outing supplies snacks, tea, coffee, and light refreshments. These are modest inclusions, but they make a real difference during the surface interval. After one underwater session, you can warm up, drink something, and reset before returning to the water instead of having to bring all food and drinks yourself.

The boat is described as new, fast, and comfortable in several accounts. You should still remember that this is a marine activity, not a sightseeing cruise. Weather affects the schedule, and the operator can cancel if conditions are poor. In that case, you are offered another date or a full refund.

What the price really covers

The listed price is A$178.59 per person. At first glance, that is a reasonable amount for about five hours, two boat transfers to the wreck, two underwater sessions, refreshments, and crew support.

The important complication is the equipment charge. The booking information also lists scuba equipment use at A$89 per person as not included. That brings the practical total to about A$267.59 if you need the full rental package. Because one part of the description says necessary equipment is provided while another lists equipment hire as an extra, I would confirm exactly what the A$89 covers before booking.

If you own a complete set of suitable equipment, the base price is easier to assess. If you need tanks, exposure protection, a buoyancy device, regulator, weights, and other essentials, the additional charge becomes a major part of the budget.

For two underwater sessions at a large and established wreck, the total may still offer fair value, especially if you want a full half-day on the water rather than a short local outing. The value is strongest for someone who will use the full water time and who appreciates the convenience of a fast charter boat, site briefing, and refreshments.

Is an unguided wreck outing right for you?

This trip suits certified divers who already know how to plan and manage their own underwater time. Open Water certification is the minimum, but the operator describes the outing as unguided. That means you should not book it expecting a personal guide to lead you through the ship.

You will get more from the HMAS Swan if you are comfortable with navigation, buddy procedures, air management, and changing depth. You also need a moderate level of physical fitness. Getting ready on a boat, handling equipment, and completing two sessions require more effort than a short shore-based swim.

The site can still work well for newer wreck divers if they have the right certification and confidence. One person used it as a first wreck outing and found the trip professional and well run. Another family account praised the experience for a son with Advanced PADI certification. These examples suggest that the crew can support different experience levels, but they do not remove your responsibility to stay within your training.

If you want personal instruction, ask about guided rates before booking. Guided diving is not included in this product, and the supplied details say to contact the operator directly for those prices.

Timing, weather, and cancellation

The 8:00 am start and five-hour duration make this a substantial part of your day. You finish back at Quindalup Boat Ramp, so plan around that return point rather than assuming you will end near central Busselton.

Weather is a genuine factor. The trip requires suitable conditions, and a cancellation caused by poor weather gives you the choice of another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. Within 24 hours, refunds are not available and changes are not accepted. I would make that decision early, especially if you are visiting Busselton for only a few days.

A strong choice for marine life and wreck scale

The HMAS Swan works because it combines a serious-sized ship with accessible shallow sections and plenty of marine life. The vessel gives you something to study, while fish in the rooms and around the hull keep the scene from feeling like an empty museum underwater.

The best parts are the two-session format, the crew’s calm approach, the detailed ship briefing, and the chance to choose from several routes. The main weaknesses are the extra equipment charge, the unguided format, and the dependence on weather.

I would book this outing if you are a certified diver who enjoys planning your own route and wants a substantial wreck site near Busselton. I would ask for the exact equipment price and clarify what is supplied before paying. If you are a beginner seeking close instruction, request a guided option instead. For everyone else, the HMAS Swan offers a memorable half-day on a large naval wreck, with enough room to make a second visit feel worthwhile.

FAQ

Where does the HMAS Swan outing begin?

It begins at Quindalup Boat Ramp, 371 Geographe Bay Road, Quindalup, Western Australia 6281.

What time does the activity start?

The scheduled start time is 8:00 am.

How long does the outing last?

The total duration is approximately five hours, with about 2.5 hours of underwater time.

How many underwater sessions are included?

The trip includes two sessions on the HMAS Swan wreck.

What certification do I need?

You must be a certified diver, with Open Water certification as the minimum stated requirement.

Is the underwater outing guided?

No. This is an unguided activity. Guided rates may be available by contacting Swan Dive directly.

Is scuba equipment included in the price?

The booking information lists equipment hire at A$89 per person as an additional cost. Confirm the final equipment arrangements before booking because another part of the description says necessary equipment is provided.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.