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Hotels, dive operators, gear, and how to get here are on the Raja Ampat location page.
Overview
The HMAS Canberra is a scuttled FFG-7 guided-missile frigate, transformed into an artificial reef and popular dive wreck off the coast of Victoria, Australia, near Port Phillip Heads. This site offers challenging and rewarding penetration opportunities and exterior exploration, attracting advanced divers. The wreck's structure provides habitat for diverse marine life.
Briefing note
A permit is required for diving the HMAS Canberra. Due to its depth and the potential for strong currents, this site is recommended for experienced advanced divers with appropriate training. Always dive with a reputable local operator.
What you'll see
4 species curated- year-roundSchools of fish
- year-roundNudibranchs
- year-roundBlue Devils
- year-roundMoray Eels
Sightings evidence
1 record on file- high confidenceSchools of fish
- Last confirmed
- Apr 2026
- Recent records
- 130 within 10 km
Sources & methodology
How we summarise this
We aggregate confirmed occurrence records from GBIF and OBIS within a fixed radius of each dive site. Occurrence records confirm presence and reveal seasonality clustering, but they DO NOT measure per-dive probability — there is no eligible-effort denominator. We deliberately do not publish a numeric '% chance of sighting' from this data.
Sources
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility — GBIF Secretariat
- Ocean Biodiversity Information System — IOC-UNESCO
- OBIS-SEAMAP — Duke University Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab / OBIS
- iNaturalist — California Academy of Sciences & National Geographic Society
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species — International Union for Conservation of Nature
- WoRMS — World Register of Marine Species — Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ)
- FishBase — FishBase Consortium
- Atlas of Living Australia — CSIRO / GBIF Australia
- REEF Volunteer Fish Survey — Reef Environmental Education Foundation
Conditions
| Month | Water | Visibility | Current |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 18–21 °C | 5–15 m | moderate |
| Feb | 19–22 °C | 5–15 m | moderate |
| Mar | 18–21 °C | 5–15 m | moderate |
| Apr | 16–19 °C | 5–12 m | moderate |
| May | 14–17 °C | 5–10 m | moderate |
| Jun | 13–15 °C | 5–10 m | strong |
| Jul | 12–14 °C | 5–10 m | strong |
| Aug | 12–14 °C | 5–10 m | strong |
| Sep | 13–15 °C | 5–10 m | strong |
| Oct | 14–17 °C | 5–12 m | moderate |
| Nov | 16–19 °C | 5–15 m | moderate |
| Dec | 17–20 °C | 5–15 m | moderate |
Season calendar
Peak season highlighted · current month outlined
Next step
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