Diving holidays: Yongala, Australia
Each week at activityaway.co.uk we will be looking at the best diving spots in the world, giving you the low down and the facts. This week, we look at what some call the best dive in the whole world - the Yongala ship wreck dive in Australia.
Where is it?
The Yongala ship wreck is located 10km off the coast of Cape Bowling Green in Queensland Australia and deep in the Coral Sea. The nearest town to the wreck is Townsville, which is located 90km to the north and is a great base to explore the Great Barrier Reef, beautiful Mission beach and Magnetic Island.
What’s it all about?
Yongala has been named the top dive spot in the world by scubatravel.co.uk and is a spectacular wreck dive with many species of wildlife too. The Yongala sank during a cyclone in 1911 and all who were on board lost their lives. She remained forgotten and undiscovered for over half a century. She has now been given protection under the Historic Shipwrecks Act. The 109 metre long ship lies upright in the sand and is a spectacular site to behold. Although you are not allowed to swim inside the ship, there is plenty to see from the outside.
What’s the diving like?
Many species of wildlife have been attracted to the wreck and it’s more than likely that you’ll see manta rays, octopuses, turtles, sea snakes, tiger sharks, bull sharks, giant groupers and thousands of different types of tropical fish including clown fish. There are also spectacular coral displays.
The water temperature is between 26-31 °C in the summer and 22-25 °C in the winter, making diving possible here all year round. Because the ship is quite far out, you will be diving from a boat. The surface of the water can get very choppy at times and there is a strong current. Boats from Townsville can take up to three hours or more to reach the site.
Dive equipment rental and dive companies
Yongala Dive is a great company to choose because they have lots of experience at this dive site and are located nearby at Alva Beach. This means that it’s only a 30 minute boat journey on their Yongala Express to the wreck. They also offer many PADI dive courses including PADI Open Water and PADI Adventure.
Adrenelin Dive, located in Townsville is also a good option – it’s a 5-star PADI dive centre that does day trips to the Yongala as well as dive courses and certificates.
Accommodation options
Yongala Dive have their own dive lodge located on Alva Beach. Rooms are bright and comfortable and you can get private or dorm rooms. There is a nearby swimming pool and BBQ area and a local park.
Other accommodation options are located in Townsville. For those wanting the classic Queensland experience a stay at Classique Bed and Breakfast could be the place, located in a historical typical Queenslander house. There is also an outdoor spa and games room.
For those on a budget, try the Civic Guesthouse Backpackers Hostel. It’s clean and modern with dorm and private rooms. There is a large fully equipped kitchen, free wifi, free coffee and tea and free bicycles.
Interesting fact
When the SS Yongala sank, there was also a race horse on board called Moonshine and a red Lincolnshire bull, both of whom died too.
Best suited to...
Intermediate diver to dive this site, meaning you should have done at least 20 dives or more before.
