The island serves as a natural breakwater, protecting the former grain port of Port Victoria from ocean currents. The waters around Wardang are popular with recreational divers because of the opportunities for wreck diving. The Songvaar wreck represents one of the eight wrecks identified in the spot. The Songvaar is a 26 m/85 ft long 3-masted iron sailing vessel, built in 1884 and located at 9 m/29 ft below sea surface.
April 14th 1912 is best known for the sinking of the Titanic, however on the same day this Norwegian ship didn’t escape Titanic’s similar destiny. While anchoring between Point Pearce and Wardang Island, the Songvaar’s captain left the ship, fully loaded with grain, for official business in Adelaide. On board, his chief mate saw dark clouds on the horizon and dropped a second anchor in preparation for a storm.
The storm blew out, the tide dropped and the Songvaar sat onto the second anchor, which pierced the hull. With decks awash and the wheat swelling, the Songvaar settled “peacefully and quietly on the bottom” (Chronicle, April 20 1912) standing fully upright. Several salvage attempts have failed and the vessel which had become a hazard to shipping was later blown up.
The Wardang Island Maritime Heritage Trail includes a waterproof booklet for underwater use, plaques adjacent to each of the eight shipwrecks and six land-based interpretive signs located at Port Victoria. Check out the Maritime Museum for artifacts of some early dives.
Malta is located in the center of the Mediterranean Sea, regarded as of great strategic importance throughout history. Valletta, the capital city of Malta, also called The Fortress City and is an amazing late Renaissance work of art and architecture.
South Head is the southern headland of the entrance to Sydney Harbor, at the north of the suburb of Watsons Bay. Hornby Lighthouse, the third oldest lighthouse in New South Wales, is located in South Head.
The Cayman Islands are a British Overseas Territory, situated northwest of Jamaica and south of Cuba, in the western Caribbean Sea. The territory consists of three islands, the Grand Cayman, the Cayman Brac and the Little Cayman. George Town is the capital, located on Grand Cayman, the largest of the three islands. All of the islands enjoy a tropical marine climate, with hot summers and dry, cool winters.
Adelaide, the liveliest city in Australia, is the capital of South Australia state. The city is situated on the Adelaide Plains and more specifically at the north side of Fleurieu Peninsula. The city is built next to Torrens River and is surrounded by the Mount Lofty Ranges and the Gulf St Vincent.
At three hours away from London, Swansea's wider location offers a great variety of places for scuba diving. Gower coastline is a famous destination with a complex of stunning reefs.
Cromwell is a small town, situated in Otago region, in the South Island, New Zealand. It lies on the shores of Lake Dunstan and is located only at 34 mi/55 km from Wanaka and 38 mi/62 km from Queenstown.
Following the implementation of a Protected Zone around the historic Zanoni shipwreck in 1983, the Australian Department of Fisheries decided to establish a new artificial reef nearby, and acquired an obsolete barge for the purpose.
Wardang Island, also known as Wauraltee Island, is a small island of 20 km²/7.72 mi² in the Spencer Gulf, at 11 km/6 mi in the northwestern coast of Port Victoria on the Yorke Peninsula, South Australia.
Wardang Island, also known as Wauraltee Island, is a small island of 20 km²/7.7 mi² in the Spencer Gulf, at 11 km/6 mi in the northwestern coast of Port Victoria on the Yorke Peninsula, South Australia.
Whyalla is located on the western shore of upper Spencer Gulf, at 394 km/244 mi in the northwest of Adelaide, in South Australia. Dolphins and bird-life often frequent the waters, while the rocky coastline is a popular destination for fishing tours and spearfishing.
Seawolves Cove is a rocky spot for scuba diving, located in Marion Bay, Yorke Peninsula. Minimum winter temperatures average around 4°C/39.2°F and the maximum can reach 40°C/104°F during summer.
Whyalla is located on the western shore of upper Spencer Gulf, at around 394 km/244 mi in the northwest of Adelaide, in South Australia. The Whyalla Mud Wreck is an easy dive site, with a lot of marine life. Entry is from the beach, right next to the Whyalla Marina.
Moonta Bay and Port Hughes are close neighboring spots for snorkeling. Sandy beaches and crystal blue waters, beach-side cafes and historic jetties make this location the ideal destination for snorkeling fans. The spot is ideal for beginners and advanced fans of snorkeling.
Trespassers is another great surfing spot in Yorke Peninsula, close to Innes National Park and offshore east of the Marion Bay. Marion Bay is the doorstep to some of the best beaches in Australia that host a rich maritime history.
