Tangalooma Wrecks

Fifteen deliberately sunk ships rise from the crystalline waters of Moreton Bay, their rusted hulls now cloaked in technicolor coral gardens. The Tangalooma Wrecks, just off the western shore of Moreton Island, create an artificial reef that has become one of Queensland’s most exhilarating snorkel and dive sites. Accessible only by ferry from Brisbane or as part of a Tangalooma Island Resort stay, this underwater museum offers a hauntingly beautiful collision of maritime history and marine life.

Highlights & What to See

• Snorkel the Ship Graveyard – Glide over the wrecks, where schools of bream, trevally, and wobbegong sharks lurk amid the encrusted metal. The shallow depth (4–12 m) makes it ideal for beginners and families.
• Feed the Wild Dolphins – Each evening at the Tangalooma Island Resort, a pod of bottlenose dolphins glides into the shallows for a supervised hand-feeding session – a bucket-list encounter.
• Kayak or Stand-Up Paddleboard – Paddle over the wrecks at sunset for a surreal perspective as the low sun illuminates the submerged structures.
• Explore Moreton Island – Beyond the wrecks, the island boasts the towering Mount Tempest (the world’s highest coastal sand dune), freshwater Blue Lagoon, and the Desert sand-blow for tobogganing.

Suggested Time to Spend

Devote at least a full day to the wrecks and Moreton Island – arrive on the first ferry and leave on the last. For the full experience, stay overnight at Tangalooma Island Resort to catch the dolphin feeding and snorkel the wrecks at high tide when visibility peaks. Two days allow you to also hike Mount Tempest or take a 4WD tour to the island’s wild eastern beaches.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Brisbane – The gateway city for ferries to Moreton Island; spend a day exploring South Bank and the Brisbane River.
• North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) – Another sand island with superb surf beaches, whale-watching, and the Brown Lake.
• Sunshine Coast – A scenic drive north from Brisbane offers the Australia Zoo, Noosa National Park, and the Glass House Mountains.
• Gold Coast – Head south for theme parks, the Surfers Paradise beachfront, and the lush Hinterland.
• Redcliffe Peninsula – A convenient stop on the way to Brisbane’s ferry terminals, with a relaxed esplanade and seafood restaurants.

Please check official sources for current details.