Keswick Island Dive Site

Description

Mackay is not generally well known as a dive destination, but with offshore islands and reefs it certainly has the potential for some great diving. However, there is one location off Mackay that is regularly dived, the wonderful Keswick Island.

This continental island can be reached by plane or boat, and has numerous sheltered bays for divers and snorkelers to explore. Rich coral gardens are found right around the island, growing on rocky reefs in depths from 5 metres to 15 metres.

These reefs are home to numerous reef fish and invertebrates, but are also visited by turtles, pelagic fish and reef sharks. There are also three shipwrecks to explore at Keswick Island. The most easily accessible is the Cremer, a 50 metre long passenger and cargo ship that sank in 1943. Although very broken up, it is still a interesting wreck to explore. More intact, and with better marine life, is the Singapore, an 87 metre long steam ship that sank in 1877. The least dived wreck in the area is the Llewellyn, a 34 metre long coastal steamer that sank in 1919 and now rests in 35 metres.