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.
Clovelly is a beach-side suburb of Sydney, at about 8 km/4 mi in the south-east of Sydney's CBD (Central Business District).
Kailua Kona is located in the North Kona District, Hawaii. It is a lively seaside town with sunny tropical weather all year long and lies at the bottom of the Hualalai Volcano.
Kailua Kona is located in the North Kona District, Hawaii. It is a lively seaside town with sunny tropical weather all year long and lies at the bottom of the Hualalai Volcano.
Bahia state in the eastern edge of Brazil, located in the Atlantic coast, is a famous tourist destination and among the most hot scuba diving sites in South America. Baia de Todos os Santos (All Saints' Bay) is the main and biggest bay of Bahia State in Brazil. The city of São Salvador da Bahia de Todos os Santos surrounds the bay where numerous breathtaking wrecks lie beneath, ideal for scuba diving.
Shi Cheng or ''Lions City'', situated in eastern China, nearby Shanghai, lies for the last 60 years in the bottom of Qiandao Lake. Although the inhabitants of the town had to leave their home place, divers from all over the world found the beginning for new, exciting underwater adventures.
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.
Point Turton is a delightful town which overlooks the calm waters of Hardwicke Bay. The town is situated only two and a half hours from Adelaide and it offers miles of white sand beaches, reefs for walking and shell collecting opportunities.
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.
Point Turton is a delightful town which overlooks the calm waters of Hardwicke Bay. The town is situated only two and a half hours from Adelaide and it offers miles of white sand beaches, reefs for walking and shell collecting opportunities.
Marion Bay is on the doorstep to some of the best beaches in Australia that host a rich maritime history. Marion Bay is located in Yorke Peninsula, South Australia.
The Zanoni Shipwreck, located at 10 nautical miles off the coast of Ardrossan, is one of the well preserved shipwrecks in Australia and one of the most complete 19th century's shipwrecks in 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. The Pointnt Lowly Lighthouse and nearby beach is just a 20-minute drive from Whyalla, at about 34 km/21 mi on a sealed road.
Wedge Island is located at the southeast of Port Lincoln with a surface of about 10 km²/3.86 mi², at the southeast of Australia. Being the largest of the small Gambier Islands Group, the Wedge island is located in the southern part of the Eyre and Yorke Peninsulas in South Australia at the entrance to Spencer Gulf.
The Wallaroo Jetty is one of Australia's longest jetties and is heavily used. Wallaroo is located at around 155 km/96 mi in the northwest of Adelaide. It was the discovery of copper in the late 1880s that led to the settlement. Wallaroo is part of the three towns which form the Copper Triangle.
