Scuba Diving Perth WA
Shore Diving
Omeo Wreck
&
Port Coogee Groin
- Shore Dive: Wreck Dive: Groin Dive.
- No# of dives at site: 1.
- Dive Conditions: I wouldn't dive here unless the water is flat and calm due to the very shallowness of the area.
- Dive flag at site: No
Dive Review:
- This is a really, really simple shore dive, very shallow, easy to navigate and close to the shore. Around the wreck you are lucky if you will hit 4 meters when the tide is in and, I imagine if you get to the end of the groin you could possibly hit 7 meters. On the day we dived around the wreck I dug a hole and managed get 3 meters and down at the groin we hit just under 6 meters.
- In part this dive really doesn't require the effort of SCUBA and the wreck certainly is snorkel-able (made up word ?). However the groin is twice as deep and wee bit murky and snorkelling alone would not be suitable around here. All said I never believe that snorkelling can be comparable with diving regardless of depth, with SCUBA you can just sit there for hours and watch for as long as you have air in your cylinder. Snorkelling you can just sit there for seconds and watch for as long as the carbon dioxide in your system isn't make you shoot to the surface, gasping for air.
Directions
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The Omeo Wreck is accessed via the new marina development at Coogee Beach, If you have a spare $1/2 million in loose change sitting on your bedside table, as I write plots are still available.
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On a more sensible note the marina is approx. 10 minutes from Fremantle CBD, 20 minutes from Rockingham and 30 minutes from Perth CBD. Or 5 minutes from Robbs Jetty or Ammo Jetty and pretty much splits these two regular dive spots down the middle
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It is situated off Cockburn Rd, enter Orsino Bld, take your next left (Perlinte View) then, your next left which is a continuation of Perlinte View. Pull up immediately and park in the bays (not finished on this map).
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After you have parked up, kit up.
- Ok, if you have parked up immediately in the first bay after turning onto Perlinte View then you will be able to see a part concreted path on to the beach, follow this onto the beach, turn right and you will see the Omeo Wreck still poking out of the water (300 m away).
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Ok, if you have parked up immediately in the first bay after turning onto Perlinte View then you will be able to see a part concreted path on to the beach, follow this onto the beach, turn right and you will see the Omeo Wreck still poking out of the water (300 m away). If you need directions to get to the wreck then you are not in the right spot and, I haven't got a clue where you are or how to direct you back other than check you have followed the instructions properly and, if it's my fault I will apologise now (don't forget to let me know).
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Don't forget to do all your equipment checks before heading down to the site, as always the last thing you need is blow something, or forget something at the waters edge and, have to trudge back to the car regardless how close it may be.
Marine Life
I have to say that this little guy above has me at a loss with its rather unusual shape and markings. Unfortunately as I was creeping up on this strange little fish, my dive buddy just swam in and scared it, oblivious to my attempts to get close enough for a more identifying shot, oh well we all love a little mystery.
Around the wreck you will find all the usual suspects found in shallow waters, Wavy Grubfish, Stripeys, Juvenile Old Wife and Red Lipped Morwong to name a just a few.
However I was delighted to get my first look at this mature male Brownfields Wrasse (2nd right).
The only negative aspect to this days dive was being stung across the face by a Sea Nettle Jelly.
During this dive on a very warm day there was a very high concentration of these jellies in the water both around the wreck and groin area.
Slightly amusing moment with this Nudi (left) as it crawled across this coral, looked liked it had just sucked on a lemon.
As it crawled over the coral it just popped up really abruptly, not a pleasant experience, obviously.
I love photographing Jellies and have dozens of the Sea Nettle but unfortunately today was the day I was stung right across the mouth, not a nice moment and in all honesty that was end of dive for me, luckily we where on our way out.
Conclusion
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There really isn't a lot that can be said about this site, small, neat and compact, nice and easy and most probably not really worth the effort. The groin area may require a little bit more further investigation, preferably on a nice clear day, and a day free of Jellies but nothing really to write home about or get excited about. But I will always say this, if it is the difference between getting in a dive and not diving then this site is always worth a visit.
Video Compilation
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