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Eliza Ramsden

3.8 — based on 16 community signals
4.3 12 species 31 contributors

Dive the wreck of HMAS Goorangai, a Royal Australian Navy auxiliary minesweeper near Eliza Ramsden, Australia. A historic naval site accessible year-round.

⭐ Best for intermediate divers.

updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Intermediate
WreckPhotoFriendlyBoatOnly

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
intermediate

Top operators here

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Map

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Eliza Ramsden location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
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Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
7.8 kn
Wave
1.54 m
Water
13.9°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: N (25%)
Now: NNW (344°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 1.82m

Next: High at 04:00 (+0.79m)

+0.8 m0 m-1.0 m
▲ 04:00 · +0.79m ▼ 10:00 · -0.52m ▲ 16:00 · +0.62m ▼ 22:00 · -0.99m
Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24Fri 25
UV6.2 · high Air PM2.52 · good 06:16 18:14
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-19 14.1 1.68 6 0mm
09-20 24 1.76 6 0mm
09-21 19.3 2.34 6 1mm
09-22 10.5 2.34 6 0mm
09-23 5.8 1.86 6 0mm
09-24 7.9 1.14 5 0mm
09-25 6.6 0.94 6 1mm

About this spot

Eliza Ramsden offers divers access to HMAS Goorangai, a former Royal Australian Navy auxiliary minesweeper. This historic wreck provides a unique window into Australia's naval heritage, drawing wreck enthusiasts and history buffs to explore its structure and story. The site is accessible throughout the year, making it a reliable destination for those seeking a naval dive experience. The wreck attracts marine life and supports documented observations of 12 different species around the site. This biodiversity makes each dive an opportunity to combine wreck exploration with marine wildlife encounters. The combination of historical significance and living reef ecosystem creates a layered dive experience. Three community videos document dives at this location, offering divers insight into what to expect underwater. These resources help plan your dive and show the site's appeal to the diving community. Whether you're interested in naval history, wreck diving, or observing marine life in an artificial reef setting, Eliza Ramsden delivers a meaningful dive opportunity.

📖 Guide: Diving in Australia: 61 Sites from Coral Reefs to Cold-Water Wrecks

Dive types

WreckReefBoat

Trip essentials

Everything you need before you pack — checklist, sun, logistics.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 📜 C-card + dive insurance (DAN)
  • 📔 Dive logbook
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 🔌 Plug type I · 230V adapter
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌓 Moon First quarter · 47%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 16942km · ~3897kg · €70

From your departure country

United States
Origin score: 53/100
  • Visa: e-Visa · 90 days max
  • Flight: 16h · direct
  • Jet-lag: 9h east · 6 days recovery

FAQ

What's the best time to dive Eliza Ramsden?

The site is diveable year-round, so you can plan your trip based on your schedule and other travel factors rather than seasonal windows.

What marine life has been spotted here?

Twelve species observations are documented at the site. Check community videos and local resources for the specific fish, crustaceans, and other creatures you might encounter.

Do I need permits or special authorization to dive this wreck?

The site is not within a Marine Protected Area, but always check with local dive operators or authorities before your dive for current access requirements and guidelines.

How can I learn more about what to expect?

Three community videos document dives at HMAS Goorangai. Watching these before your visit will give you a realistic sense of the wreck's layout and marine activity.

Operators near this spot

Dive centres, kite & surf schools within 10 km, sourced from OpenStreetMap.

Portsea Hole

3.8 km
Dive centre

Portsea Pier West Reef

4.2 km
Dive centre

Portsea Pier

4.4 km
Dive centre

Portsea Pier East Reef

4.5 km
Dive centre

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

Verified marine species observations

52 records · 49 species · sources: OBIS, GBIF

Oikopleura (Vexillaria) dioica

Appendicularia · Oikopleuridae
OBIS
Last seen:
25 Feb 2021
×1records

Hydroides elegans

Polychaeta · Serpulidae
OBIS
Last seen:
24 Feb 2021
×1records

Crenatula picta

Bivalvia · Vulsellidae
OBIS
Last seen:
24 Nov 2020
×1records

Amphiura (Amphiura) constricta

Ophiuroidea · Amphiuridae
OBIS
Last seen:
1 Jan 2014
×1records
Depth:
1 m

Amblychilepas javanicensis

Javan Keyhole Limpet
Gastropoda · Fissurellidae
OBIS
Last seen:
21 Jul 2004
×1records

Cenolia trichoptera

Feather Star
Crinoidea · Comatulidae
OBIS
Last seen:
20 Jul 2004
×1records

Herdmania momus

Ascidiacea · Pyuridae
OBIS
Last seen:
18 Jul 2001
×1records

Guinusia chabrus

Cleft-fronted Shore Crab
Malacostraca · Plagusiidae
OBIS
Last seen:
9 Mar 2001
×1records

Euchone limnicola

Polychaeta · Sabellidae
OBIS
Last seen:
5 Aug 1999
×1records

Quadrimaera viridis

Malacostraca · Maeridae
OBIS
Last seen:
25 May 1998
×1records
Depth:
5–6 m

Prionospio tatura

Polychaeta · Spionidae
OBIS
Last seen:
8 Apr 1998
×1records
Depth:
5–6 m

Paraonidae

Polychaeta · Paraonidae
OBIS
Last seen:
3 Apr 1995
×1records

Data: 187,991 observations from OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System) and GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility). CC-BY 4.0.

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

Diving - The Eliza Ramsden - 17 Dec 2022

Colin Grant
💬 3 top comments
  • Sensational

    @samking9798 · 👍 0
  • Great video. Would love to dive the Eliza Ramsden

    @greatoceandivers2149 · 👍 0
  • Sadly you didn’t show the plinth.

    @MichaelMcGlashan · 👍 0

Eliza Ramsden Wreck Dive

Mat Bettinson (Lingomat)

Eliza Ramsden

body2masoul
wind peaks Sep-Oct-Jul, calmest Mar-May-Apr, dry Jan-Dec.

5-year monthly climate

60 samples
0 5 10 15 20 25 JFMAMJJASOND
p25–p75 range Median Wind (kn) Air (°C)

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