Star of Greece Wreck
LOCATION Port Willunga, Adelaide, South Australia
DEPTH 5-6 Meters
WATER TEMP 17-22 Degrees
DIFFICULTY Medium
It is a 160m swim to the wreck from the beach.
FEATURE
Google Map data © 2024 Imagery © Airbus, CNES / Airbus, Maxar Technologies
Star of Greece Wreck
LOCATION Port Willunga, Adelaide, South Australia
DEPTH 5-6 Meters
WATER TEMP 17-22 Degrees
DIFFICULTY Medium
It is a 160m swim to the wreck from the beach.
FEATURE
Star of Greece Wreck Snorkel
This is one of the most accessible wreck snorkels in South Australia. Best done at low tide, the Star of Greece Wreck covers a large area and is a fascinating site to snorkel over. While there is just an average amount of fish, it is still a good experience to see the wreck and contemplate how close the ship was to shore when in ran aground resulting in the loss of life.
What Can I See?
The main feature here is the wreck of the Star of Greece. You will also spot some fish including old wives, sand and yellow fin whiting, magpie perch and sweep. We also had a dolphin swim past us on our way back into the beach one day which was a treat we can’t guarantee but keep an eye out, you never know!
- Dolphins
- Old Wives
- Sand and Yellow Fin Whiting
- Magpie Perch
- Sweep
Getting There
Port Willunga is 45 minutes south of Adelaide in South Australia.
Where & How do you get in?
Access to the snorkel is off the beach. You have a walk of about 750m from the closest carpark north along the beach to the wreck site.
Best Season
No seasonal considerations here other than the water temperature. It is a much nicer experience in summer. But with a 5mm wetsuit you could venture out from April to November.
Potential Hazards
- You will need to be a confident swimmer to swim the 160m out to the wreck.
How Busy / Crowds
- This tends not to be a busy snorkel spot due its location along the beach and being offshore. But in summer you might find a handful of people making the swim out to the wreck. The wreck covers quite a large area so you can spread out easily enough.
Parking
- To shorten your walk, aim for the carpark at the end of Vincent Terrace. You can get there from Star of Greece Road, or Vincent Terrace is at the intersection of the Esplanade and Jetty Road. You will then walk about 750m along the beach to reach the wreck site. Otherwise go for the main carpark near the Star of Greece Café, you’ll just have a slightly longer walk down the beach.
The information for each snorkel spot is provided by people who have snorkelled there. However, snorkelling conditions change daily. Please be aware that wind, swell, tides and cloud cover can all affect visibility and your experience in the water.
Disclosure: Please Note That Some Links In This Post May Be Affiliate Links, And At No Additional Cost To You, We Earn A Small Commission If You Make A Purchase. Commissions Go Toward Maintaining The Snorkel Spots Website.
Rate this Snorkel Spot
If you have snorkelled here, rate your experience
Best Conditions
Because of the swim, you want swell less than 1m. Light winds or breeze from the north or east makes for the best conditions.
The tide is important. The wreck is much easier to find, and in less water, at low tide. You will see the bow of the ship sticking out of the water at low tide. You also won’t have to swim out quite as far with the tide out.
Windy Map Instructions – Click on the wind icon in the top right to see other conditions such as swell, temperature, rain. To clear the four day forecast click and close the wind icon.
Facilities at Port Willunga
There are no facilities where you enter the water for the snorkel, all the facilities are back by the main carpark.
Toilets
Showers
Picnic Tables
Parking
BBQ’s
Shade
Food & Drinks
About the Snorkel
The first thing about this snorkel is that even though we have done it a few times, we always forget how far the walk is from the car park along the beach. Be prepared for a 750m plus walk either way to get to the wreck. That said, it isn’t much of a chore, the views of the water and cliffs are beautiful.
We are always struck by is how close the wreck is to shore yet when the Star of Greece ran aground in a storm, 18 people lost their lives. It is a sad thing to contemplate as you swim out to the wreck on a calm, sunny day in the turquoise blue water.
This is not a shallow snorkel; the wreck lies in 5 – 6m of water so you will need to do some duck diving to see it up close. However, it is still a good surface snorkel as from above you get a to appreciate the size of the 75m long, 3 masted ship.
We always snorkel here at low tide because with one of the masts sticking out of the water, the site is easier to find. If you head to the exposed mast first, you will also find the memorial plaque on the sea floor being guarded by a couple of zebra fish.
For snorkellers, seeing the ruins of the ship is the highlight of the snorkel. It is an interesting site and the most accessible wreck snorkel near Adelaide. There are fish around but not in as abundant numbers as you will find a nearby Port Noarlunga or Aldinga reefs. That said you will still see some zebra fish, old wives, moonlighters and inquisitive little sweep.
Once you have finished on the wreck, take your time as you head back to the beach. There are nice views of the cliffs from the water and keep an eye out for dolphins. They regularly swim up and down this part of the coast and we had cruise by within a few metres of us one day which was an incredible experience.
Snorkel Spots Nearby
More Things To Do
- Swimming with Turtles in Australia - October 29, 2023
