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.
Manly is a suburb of northern Sydney. On the harbor side of Manly, divers will discover an excellent dive site.
Althorpe Island is located opposite the Innes National Park, in Yorke Peninsula. The spot is an tiny island, studded with dive sites walls of over 65 ft/20 m, three wrecks and seal colonies to name a few. Minimum winter temperatures average around 4°C/39.2°F and the maximum can reach 40°C/140°F during summer.
Lake Michigan, the second largest of the Great Lakes of North America by volume and the third largest by surface area, is actually the only one located entirely within the United States. Over the years, a large number of ships have sunk in the Straits of Mackinac, due to sudden and harsh storms. The Straits of Mackinac Underwater Preserve accommodates more than thirteen shipwrecks. One of them is the Minneapolis wreck.
Perth is the capital city of Western Australia, located on the Swan River. The climate here is classified as Mediterranean, with hot and dry summers and cool and wet winters. Immerse yourself in the unique combination of stunning natural surroundings, beautiful beaches with clear waters, greenery park-lands and outstanding city architecture that attract visitors all year long.
The Turks and Caicos Islands lie in the Lucayan Archipelago and are a British Overseas Territory consisting of eight islands: West Caicos, Providenciales, East Caicos, South Caicos, North and Middle Caicos, Grand Turk and Saly Cay. Only East and West Caicos are uninhabited. Apart from a superb tourist destination, they are also well-known as an offshore financial center. The climate of the islands is classified as marine tropical, providing relatively consistent temperatures throughout the year.
Bermuda, also known as the Bermudas, is situated off the east coast of the United States. It might seem as a long distance destination, but in fact it is less than 2 hours away from most eastern US airports. Bermuda enjoys a humid subtropical climate, with mild and windy winters and hot summers.The island is divided into nine parishes and two incorporated municipalities. Hamilton is the capital city of Bermuda. It is a wonderful, harbor city full of sights of historical interest, beautiful gardens and incredible restaurants.
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.
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.
Aagot was a three masted square rig sailing ship built by Dobie & Company and was launched on 1 June 1882. She was wrecked on Wardang Island on October 11th, 1907.
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 on the northwestern coast of Port Victoria on the Yorke Peninsula, South Australia. The island serves as a natural breakwater, protecting the former grain port of Port Victoria from ocean currents.
North Beach is also a favorite swimming and beach-combing destination, and one of the few beaches around Wallaroo Jetty and its wider area. The North Beach picnic area also provides extensive under cover shelter. Wallaroo is located at 155 km/96 mi in the northwest of Adelaide.
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.
Marion Bay is located in Yorke Peninsula, South Australia. Marion Bay is the doorstep to some of the best beaches in Australia, hosting a rich maritime history. In fact, the spot has lately become very popular among surfers. However the spot is also recommended for the scuba diving fans.
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.
