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Descend to the SS Pericles, a 35m wreck off Cape Leeuwin where boilers and hull lines have become a thriving artificial reef. This expert-only boat dive blends maritime history with abundant marine life—read on for logistics, safety requirements and what to expect underwater.
Descend to the SS Pericles, a 35m wreck off Cape Leeuwin where boilers and hull lines have become a thriving artificial reef. This expert-only boat dive blends maritime history with abundant marine life—read on for logistics, safety requirements and what to expect underwater.
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Operated by Swan Dive · Leeuwin, Western Australia
Off the rocky headland of Cape Leeuwin, near Leeuwin, Western Australia, the SS Pericles lies 35 meters below the Indian Ocean, a hulking relic turned reef. Built in 1908 and sunk in 1910 after striking an uncharted rock, the Pericles' boilers, winches and cargo holds remain readable in the cold blue; sweeping hull lines hint at her era as a luxury passenger liner yet now host swarms of reef fish and bright invertebrates. Diving the SS Pericles is a technical, boat-led experience run from Leeuwin Rd, Leeuwin WA 6290, Australia by Swan Dive. The trip is listed as a deep dive to 35m with a single 90-minute maximum bottom time on the booking; group size is capped at 14. This is not a casual reef swim: divers must hold a Deep Dive or Technical Dive certification, have dived within the past three months, and have dived with Swan Dive in the previous six months. Swan Dive requires a submitted dive plan covering depths, times, gas mixes and bail-out options, and mandates carrying both an orange/pink and a yellow surface marker buoy. What makes Pericles special is scale and story combined. The boilers and winches form cathedral-like shapes beneath the waves where pelagic schools sweep through broken decks and moray eels slip between ribs of corroded steel. Over a century underwater the hull has become encrusted with sponges, soft corals and ascidians; you'll see reef fish, wobbegongs on sandy patches, and the occasional larger predator patrolling the wreck's shadow. Visibility varies with swell and season, but the structure itself rewards careful navigation and photo framing. Logistics matter: you'll board a charter off Leeuwin and dive from a boat; expect choppy approaches and purposeful surface procedures. The site's depth and decompression considerations mean gas planning and redundant air systems are essential. Photographers find dramatic contrasts where sunbeams hit the boilers; penetration is possible only with proper training and buoyed, conservative gas margins. For travelers based in Augusta or nearby towns, the Pericles combines history, wildlife and technical diving in one concentrated outing. Swan Dive's standards make it a safe, disciplined gateway to one of Western Australia's iconic wrecks. If you're an experienced diver looking to add a century-old liner to your logbook, the SS Pericles delivers a dive that is equal parts archaeology and living reef. Plan on a roughly four-hour outing from check-in to return, with time allocated to safety briefings, gear checks and surface intervals; Swan Dive enforces conservative turn pressures to protect divers. Many teams combine the Pericles with other deep sites off Cape Leeuwin for multi-dive days when conditions allow — check local weather and liaise with Swan Dive at Leeuwin meeting point (Leeuwin Rd, Leeuwin WA 6290, Australia).
expert.
4 hours.
Good aerobic fitness and core strength to manage heavy gear, long descents, and boat transfers; comfortable with confined spaces if penetrating.
You must hold a Deep Dive or Technical Dive certification; Swan Dive also requires proof of dives within the last three months and a dive with them within six months.
The SS Pericles rests at approximately 35 meters; the booking lists a single dive with a 90-minute maximum bottom-time allocation on the site.
Expect schools of pelagic fish, reef species around encrusted hulls, morays, and occasional larger predators; wobbegongs and invertebrate colonies are common around structural features.
No. This is an advanced technical wreck dive requiring deep/technical certification and recent diving experience; beginners should not attempt this site.
Plan on about four hours from check-in to return, including safety briefings, gear checks and surface intervals; weather can extend transit times.
Book through the operator's portal; Swan Dive requires a submitted dive plan (depths, times, gases, bail-out plan) and reserves the right to refuse bookings that don't meet standards.
Built in 1908 and lost in 1910 after striking an uncharted rock off Cape Leeuwin, the Pericles is now an artificial reef with intact boilers and cargo spaces visible at 35m.
Operators enforce small group sizes and strict dive plans to limit impact; practice no-touch buoyancy and remove no artifacts to protect the wreck and its marine life.
Swan Dive operates from Quindalup in Western Australia, offering guided dives, snorkel experiences and certified dive courses across South West WA. The operator runs day trips to iconic sites such as Busselton Jetty, home to an underwater sculpture trail and more than 300 marine species, and the Ex-HMAS Swan wreck, one of the Southern Hemisphere’s largest accessible wrecks. Swan Dive provides specialty and certification courses including Open Water, Rescue Diver, Wreck Diver, Deep Diving, Enriched Air (Nitrox), Advanced Adventurer and refresher programs. Practical training combines theory sessions with hands-on pool and open-water practice, and small groups are used for personalized instruction on selected courses and dives. Regular guided sites include Busselton Jetty, Wright’s Bank, 4 Mile Reef and scheduled monthly trips to deeper pinnacles. Equipment and safety procedures follow industry standards, and experienced instructors guide participants through skills, navigation and emergency techniques. Snorkel Supervisor and Try Scuba options are available for non-certified guests and families seeking shallow-water marine encounters. Swan Dive highlights the HMAS Swan wreck for its accessibility, diverse fish life and unique hull features, making it suitable for wreck specialties and recreational divers. The company’s course list and trip calendar are designed to serve new divers seeking certification, advanced learners expanding limits, and recreational snorkelers wanting curated marine experiences. Based in Quindalup, Swan Dive operates within the biodiverse marine environments of South West Western Australia, focusing on safe, educational and memorable underwater experiences. Bookings and course schedules are published online with clear prerequisites and safety information and updates.
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