Curtin Artificial Reef Scuba Dive Site, Brisbane
A Reef Made of Wrecks Near Tangalooma Offers Good Scuba Diving
Oct 9, 2009
Curtin Artificial Reef off the east coast of Australia comprises about 20 wrecks, all offering an interesting scuba dive. There are couple of whale chasers left over from the Tangalooma Whaling Station, a number of barges and even an old Brisbane tram.
History of the Curtin Artificial Reef
The Curtin Artificial Reef started in 1968 when the Underwater Research Group of Queensland (URGQ) obtained approval to form an artificial reef in Moreton Bay. The first item to be placed on the reef was a gravel barge.
Frank Curtin, a member of the Underwater Research Group of Queensland, was the main driver behind the formation of the artificial reef and so the reef was named in his honour.
Location of the Curtin Artificial Reef
The Curtin Artificial Reef is about seven kilometres north of the Tangalooma Island Resort; between the settlement of Bulwer and Cowan Cowan Point. The wrecks sit on the sandy bottom, though a number have been covered in the mud and sand that flows on the currents through the scuba dive site.
The Curtin Artificial Reef should not be confused with the Tangalooma Wrecks, that is an artificial breakwater about seven kilometres to the south.
The GPS coordinates for Curtin Artificial Reef are:
-27.11005 153.3625
When to Dive at Curtin Artificial Reef Scuba Dive Site
The best time to dive the Curtin Artificial Reef is either side of the high tide, so that the change of tide is in the middle of the dive. Divers need to carefully plan around the tides as the currents can be quite strong.
The URGQ recommends the optimum time to dive the Curtin Artificial Reef is when the high tide (recorded at the “Brisbane Bar”) is between 9.00 am and 11.00 am. This allows enough time either side of the high tide to get the best conditions.
On incoming tide the current runs north to south.
On the ebbing tide, the current runs south to north.
A drift dive can be a good dive plan, but must be carefully planned so the currents are not too strong. The boat needs to be well coordinated, especially with the pick-up at the end of the dive.
Scuba Dive Plan for the Curtin Artificial Reef Scuba Dive Site
There are some penetration dives possible; especially on the larger wrecks like the tug Melbourne that was sunk on the reef in 1979.
However, as with any penetration scuba diving on sunken wrecks, extreme care and rigorous dive planning is needed. A scuba divemaster with detailed knowledge of the wrecks should accompany any scuba diver wanting to do a penetration dive into the wrecks.
The Underwater Research Group of Queensland “recommends that none of the wrecks are penetrated.”
The tide and associated currents are a large factor in a scuba dive plan for the Curtin Artificial Reef. If a scuba diver does plan to penetrate into one of the wrecks the dive should be planned so it is done at the change of tide.
If possible, it can be a good idea to carry an underwater map of the Curtin Artificial Reef scuba dive site. A map is available from the URGQ website.
Fish Life at the Curtin Artificial Reef
Apart from the excitement of scuba diving on sunken wrecks, the Curtin Artificial Reef dive site offers a prolific display of marine life.
Before the artificial reef was formed, the area was basically a marine desert. A flat, sandy bottom didn’t provide much in the way of marine habitats. However, now with the abundance of nooks and crannies, and a place for soft corals and seaweeds to grow, the reef teems with life.
There are batfish, a myriad of tropical fish, gropers, placid wobbegong sharks, schools of trevally, various types of wrasse and the occasional rays.
Sharing the Curtin Artificial Reef Dive Site With Fishermen
With the reef attracting so much fishlife, the reef is a magnet for fishermen. And therefore scuba divers must share the site.
The main risk when underwater is the possibility of getting tangled up in some old fishing lines that hang around the wrecks. A dive knife should be carried when scuba diving the Curtin Artificial Reef.
There is also the risk of boats cruising around above, so a scuba diver needs to be extra vigilant on the ascent; especially after a drift dive.
And when underwater, a scuba diver needs to be wary of boats anchoring above. It’s not a good thing to be hit on the head by a wayward anchor while underwater at 20 metres.
The Curtin Artificial Reef Dive Site is a fascinating scuba dive. Sunken wrecks, prolific marine life, and challenges with currents make it a dive site that offers a lot for a scuba diver in the one dive.
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