Tangalooma Wrecks

Tangalooma Wrecks is a unique spot where a row fifteen shipwrecks sit in shallow water off the west coast of Moreton Island. The Queensland government sank them between 1963 and 1984 after locals asked for somewhere sheltered to anchor. Most were barges, dredges and trawlers that had worked the island. They sit just barely breaking the surface, slowly rusting away with coral spread across the hulls and well over a hundred species of fish living in them. The best time to be here is at low tide, when more of the metal sits above the water level creating unique shapes against the bay. The wrecks sit a couple of hundred metres offshore, so you can easily set up on the beach with a long lens and let the hulls stack up in a line. This coastline faces west, which means the sun drops straight out past them creating amazing colours as it disappears. It's also a fun spot to experiment with underwater photography. There are shallow sections at either end that are easy for snorkelling and the light coming through the gaps in the plating is worth the swim. You will want to use a boat to get to the wrecks before you start snorkelling. Swimming across from the beach looks easy but it isn't, a strong current runs between the beach and the wrecks when the tide is moving. Plus boats come through in between the beach and the wrecks making it even more difficult for swimming. Ideally time your shooting adventure for a still afternoon and plan to stay through sunset. (Moreton Island, Queensland, Australia)