Tangalooma Wrecks

Tour the sunken shipwrecks adjacent to resort

Located just north of the Tangalooma Island Resort are the Tangalooma Wrecks, a cluster of ships scuttled by the Queensland Government between 1963 and 1984 to provide safe anchorage spot for recreational boat owners on the eastern side of Moreton Bay.

Coral is now starting to form in and around the wrecks, providing a haven for over 100 species of fish and sometimes even dolphins, wobbegongs and dugongs.

A total of 15 vessels were sunk – five in 1963; five in the 1970's; and a further five in the 1980's.

Each of the wrecks is named:

  • UKI

  • Bream

  • Seal

  • Dolphin

  • Morwong

  • Kookaburra

  • Bermagui

  • Maryborough (built in 1885)

  • Iceberg

  • Echeneis

  • Remora

  • Platypus II

  • Pelican

  • Groper

  • Stingaree

Where are the Tangalooma Wrecks located?

The sunken ship wrecks on Moreton Island are just a 15-20 minute walk up the beach from Tangalooma Island Resort. It's not hard to find the wrecks as they cast an iconic silhouette, with the best photos taken at low tide and sunset.

Where are the Tangalooma Wrecks?

While the wrecks are close to the beach please be careful when trying to swim across as a strong current sweeps between the wrecks and the beach when the tide is running, so don’t try and swim against it. The Tangalooma wrecks are an unpatrolled beach meaning there are no lifesavers on duty. There are also a large number of inexperienced boats and jet skis passing through between the wrecks and the beachfront, so please take care when swimming across. Tangalooma Island Resort recommends that guests join the guided Wrecks Snorkel Tour.

Snorkeling in the Tangalooma Wrecks

​Discover a hidden world under the sea by diving and exploring the shipwrecks at Tangalooma. The wrecks are home to a variety of different reef fish, coral formations and marine life. The Moreton Island wrecks are a well-known landmark that you must not miss when holidaying at Tangalooma, a unique combination of nature, mystery and history await.

The snorkel tours, provided by Tangalooma, are a much safer way to experience the wrecks as you are taken to the wrecks via boat - so there is no need to battle the currents and swim there yourself (which can be difficult for even strong swimmers). This guided tour includes all snorkel equipment, including snorkel, mask, flippers and wet suits.

How to see the Tangalooma Wrecks from Brisbane

The best way to visit the Tangalooma Wrecks from Brisbane is onboard one of Tangalooma's Snorkel The Wrecks Day Cruise's. These Day Cruises include return boat transfers to Moreton Island from Brisbane, along with lunch voucher and a guided snorkel tour through the wrecks. There is even an option to stay later and package wild dolphin feeding in as part of your day.

Snorkel the Wrecks Departing from Brisbane

Explore the wrecks at Tangalooma with a snorkel Day Cruise

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Explore the Tangalooma Wrecks By Sea Scooter

Want to see more of the wrecks quicker than just snorkelling? Jump on a Sea Scooter tour to zoom around the wrecks and see the depths you may not have been able to by regular snorkelling. This experience is perfect those you aren't strong swimmers and give unique journey through an underwater world.


Take a scenic Helicopter Flight over the Tangalooma Wrecks

Fancy the VIP experience to see the majestic Tangalooma Wrecks at their very best. Our scenic helicopter flights will take you directly over the wrecks, for a birds eye view that is instantly recognised the world-over, as one of the most iconic shipwreck views in the world.

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