Blackwall Reach

Swan River wreck dive. A good alternative site if sea conditions are rough. Bring your camera to snap a few of the many seahorses here.

• Rating Easy to moderate depending on current.
  
• Depth 14m (yacht 16m).
  
• Viz 1-4m, down to 50cm is silt is stirred up. I dived here once, in summer, when the viz was over 10m!
  
• Access Easy water entry. Long, moderate to hard, surface swim.
  

Location
Blackwall Reach Parade
Point Walter Western Australia
Buoy #716 & Buoy #666
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Description
Wreck dive. 3 wrecks close together. Another yacht lies much deeper and further out.
The Site
Park at the northern end of Blackwall Reach Pde. Enter the water near the little jetty and follow the cliff face north for about 180m. Find marker buoy #716, descend buoy line. Two or three metres west of the chain is a large barge (length 21m, beam 7m). The barge rises well off the bottom and is accessible inside.
Off the SW corner is a small dingy, you should see it as you circle the barge if the viz is half decent.
About 8m due north (0°) of the barge is the wreck of a motorboat. The barge and the motorboat are good sites for seahorses, as is the cliff face on the swim back to the beach.
The wreck of an 11m yacht is (approx) 120m further along the cliff face, though I have not seen it. To get there descend buoy #666 and swim for 20m on 200° bearing. The yacht is in 16m of water.
Position
Barge & motorboat: latitude 32°01.154, longitude 115°47.051
Yacht: latitude 32°01.108, longitude 115°47.050
Marine Life
Possibly the best spot in the river to see seahorses.
For a more detailed description of marine life view this blog: Swan River Marine Life.
Hazards
Always use a dive flag. Beware of boat traffic. Don't stray into the channel. Cobbler, striped catfish and western rock cod all have venomous spines, which can cause painful injuries. Both wrecks have sharp edges. Keep off the bottom, the silt is very fine and if stirred can reduce your visibility. On hot days watch for swimmers diving off the cliff face. Be aware of Swan River pollution levels. The WA Health Department advises not to swim in the river for 3 days after rain.
Check river pollution levels here:
Swan River Trust Algal Activity Report
Swan River Trust Current Alerts
WA Health Department Healthy Swimming.