The Tangalooma Wrecks are 15 old ships lying just off the western beach of Moreton Island, about 75 to 90 minutes by ferry from Brisbane. They were sunk on purpose, and today they are the best-known place in South East Queensland to snorkel over a shipwreck, with guided snorkel, clear kayak and night boat tours on offer.
The wrecks sit beside the landing for the Micat vehicle ferry and a short beach walk from Tangalooma Resort, so you can see them on a day trip without a 4WD. Our Moreton Island guide covers the whole island, and this page sticks to the wrecks.
What the Tangalooma Wrecks are
The Queensland Government scuttled 15 vessels here between 1963 and 1984 to make a sheltered anchorage for recreational boats. Five went down in 1963, five in the 1970s and five in the 1980s.
The ships include UKI, Bream, Seal, Dolphin, Morwong, Kookaburra, Bermagui, Maryborough (built in 1885), Iceberg, Echeneis, Remora, Platypus II, Pelican, Groper and Stingaree. Coral is now growing on the hulls, and Tangalooma reports more than 100 species of fish around them. Dolphins, wobbegongs and dugongs are sometimes seen.
Snorkelling the Tangalooma Wrecks
Tangalooma Resort recommends a guided snorkel for the wrecks. The Wrecks Snorkel Tour takes you out by boat, so you do not have to swim across, and the tour includes a snorkel, mask, flippers and wetsuit. You can book it as a day cruise add-on or as part of a resort stay. Prices and times are on the Tangalooma website.
Sunset Safaris runs guided shipwreck snorkel tours of about 45 minutes from the wrecks beach. Gear, wetsuit and gloves are provided, and non-swimmers can use a body board with a see-through porthole and a safety vest. Adult prices on its site are around $50 to $55 for a kayak or snorkel tour. Tours run every day except Wednesday (daily in summer). You make your own way to the beach. Sunset Safaris says it does not hire out gear for unguided use because of national park rules. See its activities page and check which tours are running before you book.
Is it safe to swim out to the wrecks yourself?
Tangalooma warns that a strong current sweeps between the wrecks and the beach when the tide is running, and says you should not swim against it. The beach is not patrolled, so there are no lifesavers on duty. Boats and jet skis also pass between the wrecks and the shore.
For those reasons the resort points visitors to the guided tour. If you want to snorkel the wrecks, treat it as a guided activity, wear a vest if you are not a strong swimmer and keep clear of boat traffic.
Kayak and evening tours
Sunset Safaris also runs guided transparent kayak tours at the wrecks, with the same tour length of about 45 minutes.
The Illuminated Wrecks Tour is a 90-minute evening cruise on a glass-bottom boat run by Tangatours, with lights on the wrecks. It leaves at about 5.30 pm in winter and 7 pm in summer. Book on arrival or at Tangatours and confirm the departure time on the day.
Tangalooma also lists sea scooter tours, which take you around the wrecks at greater depths than snorkelling, and scenic helicopter flights over the wrecks. If you would rather fly from Brisbane, see our helicopter tour guide for scenic flights over the city.
Walking to the wrecks and the best time to go
The wrecks are about a 15 to 20 minute walk north of the resort along the beach. If you arrive on the Micat, you land right beside them, which suits foot passengers and campers at The Wrecks campground. The nearby beach is about a 2 minute walk from the drop-off, and the wrecks sit roughly 200 m off the beach. The walk between the Micat landing and the resort is closer to 30 minutes and may be hard going on soft sand when the tide is high.
The best photos are taken at low tide and at sunset. There are public toilets at The Wrecks camping area, about a 5 minute walk from the Micat landing, and the nearest shop, restaurants and bars are for resort guests only.
Getting to the Tangalooma Wrecks
You cannot drive to the island, so every visit starts with a ferry booking.
- Micat vehicle ferry: leaves 14 Howard Smith Drive at the Port of Brisbane, takes about 90 minutes and lands beside the wrecks. The terminal is about 40 minutes by car from the Brisbane CBD. Secure parking starts from $20 a day, and limited pre-booking sells out on weekends. See Moreton Island Adventures.
- Tangalooma passenger ferry: leaves Holt Street Wharf at Pinkenba, takes about 75 minutes and arrives at the resort jetty, then you walk up the beach. The wharf is about 20 minutes by car from the CBD, and the car park costs $20 a vehicle per day, paid on arrival and not bookable ahead.
Tangalooma says there are no public bus or train services to Holt Street Wharf. Shuttle transfers can be booked through Tangalooma. Our Moreton Island guide has more on ferry times, 4WD permits and camping, and the Tangalooma guide covers the resort.
Are dogs allowed at the Tangalooma Wrecks?
No. Moreton Island is a national park and pets are not allowed on it, including at the wrecks and Tangalooma.
Planning your visit
- How long: a guided snorkel or kayak tour takes about 45 minutes, so allow a half day with the walk and a swim.
- What to bring: swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, water, a change of clothes and shoes for the sand.
- Bookings: tours and ferries need booking ahead, and prices change, so use the operator links above.
- Weather: wind, weather and tide can change or cancel tours.
Nearby
- Moreton Island – ferries, 4WD, camping and the rest of the island.
- Tangalooma – the resort, jetty and dolphin feeding.
- Russell Island – another Moreton Bay island by ferry.
- Snorkelling and diving, islands and camping – more ideas on the site.
Quick answers
What are the Tangalooma Wrecks?
They are 15 vessels scuttled by the Queensland Government between 1963 and 1984 off Moreton Island, to give boats a sheltered anchorage. They now work as an artificial reef.
Can you snorkel the Tangalooma Wrecks?
Yes. Guided snorkel tours by Tangalooma Resort and Sunset Safaris include the gear. Tangalooma warns of strong currents and unpatrolled beaches, so it recommends the guided tour.
How do you get to the Tangalooma Wrecks from Brisbane?
By ferry. The Micat takes about 90 minutes and lands beside the wrecks. The Tangalooma passenger ferry takes about 75 minutes and arrives at the resort, about a 15 to 20 minute beach walk away.
Is there parking at the Tangalooma Wrecks?
No parking on the island. On the mainland you can park at the Micat terminal from $20 a day or at Holt Street Wharf for $20 a day.
Can you take dogs to the Tangalooma Wrecks?
No, pets are not allowed on Moreton Island.
Is there public transport to the ferry?
Tangalooma says there are no public bus or train services to Holt Street Wharf. Shuttle transfers can be booked through Tangalooma.
0 Comments