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Divers explore a sunken shipwreck off the coast of Madeira, Portugal.
📷 Ruben Galante · Pexels

SS Duckenfield

4.0 — based on 21 community signals
4.2 12 species 27 contributors

SS Duckenfield is a shipwreck dive site in Australia's Muogamarra Nature Reserve, protected and accessible year-round with thriving marine life.

⭐ Best for intermediate divers.

🐢 MPA · Muogamarra Nature Reserve updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Intermediate
WreckMPAPhotoFriendlyShore entry

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
intermediate
Best months
Year-round
Marine life
Common octopus

Top operators here

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Map

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SS Duckenfield location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
Open in Google Maps

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
4 kn
Wave
0.94 m
Water
18.3°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: NE (23%)
Now: SW (227°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 1.33m

Today: High 14:00 (+0.57m), Low 07:00 (-0.13m)

+0.7 m0 m-0.6 m
▼ 07:00 · -0.13m ▲ 14:00 · +0.57m ▼ 21:00 · -0.18m ▲ 03:00 · +0.22m Now +0.0m
Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24Fri 25
UV6.7 · high Air PM2.54 · good 05:49 17:48
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-19 8.1 1.04 7 0mm
09-20 11.4 0.82 7 0mm
09-21 17 1.8 7 1mm
09-22 9.2 1.72 1 2mm
09-23 9.5 1.56 1 2mm
09-24 12.1 1.5 7 0mm
09-25 10.3 1.34 7 0mm

About this spot

SS Duckenfield sits within Muogamarra Nature Reserve, one of Australia's protected marine areas. The wreck offers divers a chance to explore a significant historical site while diving in waters that support healthy coral and diverse fish populations. The site sits in a conservation zone, which means the marine ecosystem here is actively managed and monitored. The wreck itself draws divers interested in both history and marine biology. With 12 recorded species observations at the site, you'll encounter a mix of reef fish and other marine life. The protected status means the site sees regular surveys and community involvement—three community videos document dives here, giving you a sense of conditions and what to expect underwater. Year-round access means you can plan a trip at your own pace. Since the site sits inside a nature reserve, check with local authorities or dive operators familiar with Muogamarra before you go. They'll advise on any access requirements, permits, or seasonal considerations specific to the reserve.

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

Best months

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Marine life

Common octopus

Dive types

WreckReef

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 · 49%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 17010km · ~3912kg · €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

When's the best time to dive SS Duckenfield?

SS Duckenfield is accessible year-round. Since it's located in Muogamarra Nature Reserve, check with local dive operators or reserve management about any seasonal closures or weather-related restrictions before booking.

What depth and difficulty should I expect?

Specific depth and difficulty ratings for this site are not documented. Contact local dive operators familiar with Muogamarra Nature Reserve for accurate information on the wreck's position, depth, and recommended certification level.

What marine life will I see?

Twelve species have been recorded at SS Duckenfield. The site sits in a protected reserve with no coral bleaching stress, meaning the ecosystem is relatively healthy. Expect reef fish and other marine life typical of Australian waters.

Do I need permits to dive here?

SS Duckenfield is inside Muogamarra Nature Reserve, a protected marine area. You'll need to check current regulations with reserve management or authorized dive operators. Some protected areas require permits or have access restrictions.

Operators near this spot

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

Pro Dive

7 km
Dive centre

Dive Centre Manly

8.5 km
4.9 (800 reviews) closed
Dive centre
Verified Booked 52+ times this month
Hours: Saturday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

Verified marine species observations

18 records · 18 species · sources: OBIS, GBIF

Turbo militaris

Gastropoda · Turbinidae
GBIF
Last seen:
5 Jan 2026
×1records

Coscinasterias muricata

Asteroidea · Asteriidae
GBIF
Last seen:
5 Jan 2026
×1records

Octopus tetricus

Cephalopoda · Octopodidae
GBIF
Last seen:
5 Jan 2026
×1records

Lysilla

Polychaeta · Terebellidae
OBIS
Last seen:
19 Oct 2023
×1records

Branchiomma

Polychaeta · Sabellidae
OBIS
Last seen:
4 May 2023
×1records

Paralaeospira

Polychaeta · Serpulidae
OBIS
Last seen:
1 Jul 2021
×1records

Magallana gigas

Bivalvia · Ostreidae
OBIS
Last seen:
19 Nov 2020
×1records

Hydrozoa

Hydrozoa
OBIS
Last seen:
18 Jun 2020
×1records

Staurodiscus gotoi

Hydrozoa · Hebellidae
OBIS
Last seen:
5 Jun 2017
×1records

Hiatella arctica

Bivalvia · Hiatellidae
OBIS
Last seen:
16 Dec 2016
×1records

Oikopleuridae

Appendicularia · Oikopleuridae
OBIS
Last seen:
3 Sept 2016
×1records
Depth:
0 m

Siphonophorae

Hydrozoa
OBIS
Last seen:
1 Feb 2016
×1records
Depth:
50 m

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.

SS Duckenfield (1889) wreck - 3D model

Curtin HIVE
💬 1 top comments
  • Superb

    @kiwihame · 👍 0

Scuba Diving at Port Stephens

Brett Touzell

A Wet Port Stephens - Fishing, Diving, Adventure!

Warren Prior
💬 2 top comments
  • What a great video, excellent footage and put together like a professional. Good fishing session too (may only have been the one but better than none)

    @cassiagallagher2441 · 👍 0
  • Such a lekker video Warren!!

    @jusfrost · 👍 0

Local knowledge

OpenStreetMap Notes
  • "In context of overlay "Places" – Allambie Heights LPO (Post Office) – https://osm.org/node/3014314510 via StreetComplete_ee 63.0-beta2: Can't see, but part of newsagents?"

    aharvey · 2026-03-01
  • "Path only accessible at low tide. At other times take Gourlay Avenue"

    Brentsail · 2026-02-21
  • "Path only accessible at low tide. At other times take Gourlay Avenue"

    Brentsail · 2026-02-21
wind peaks Jan-Sep-Nov, calmest Jun-Apr-May, dry Feb-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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