The Chofuku Maru is the largest wreck on Ningaloo Reef. The 117 m, 4,498-ton Japanese steam freighter ran aground in 1931 while trying to assist the stranded SS Shunsei Maru; water entered the hull, the wheat cargo swelled, and the hull buckled.

The remains are scattered across the reef floor at about 8–10 m. At the south-western end lie the rudder, steering quadrant and a huge four-bladed propeller; a 40 m propeller shaft leads to the collapsed three-cylinder triple-expansion engine and two large boilers; and to the north-east the bow survives partially intact on its starboard side. Coral has colonised the steel and fish life is good.

It lies about two miles offshore behind the outer breakers and requires a boat and swell under 1 m. Visibility is typically 5–15 m.

The Point Cloates coast: the stretch of Ningaloo between Coral Bay and Yardie Creek is a notorious ship trap where the reef lies close to the shipping route and an uncharted north-west current set vessels onto the reef. The WA wreck-diving guide divingwawrecks lists nine wrecks here, from the 1811 Rapid to the 1931 Chofuku Maru. All are remote, require a private boat, calm seas and self-sufficiency, and are protected historic sites — look, photograph and leave everything in place.

Planning notes: Open Water certification is recommended and the site is rated advanced. Expect to spend most of the dive around 8 m, with a maximum of about 10 m. Access is by boat only, and site selection depends on wind, swell and tide on the day. Best season: April–October on glassy days. Traffic: remote/expedition only.

Point Cloates and Ningaloo Station lie on the coast between Coral Bay and Exmouth, reached by the Minilya–Exmouth Road and a long unsealed station track (4WD recommended; station permission and camping fees apply). There are no dive operators on this stretch. Boats are beach-launched at South Lefroy Bay or from Ningaloo Station with permission, or run 30+ nautical miles north from Coral Bay.

Wrecks lie on or behind the reef crest and are only reachable in very calm conditions.

These wrecks lie on the exposed reef crest or just behind the outer breakers and are only diveable in swell under about 0.5–1.0 m, light winds and 10+ m visibility. Any south-westerly swell makes them dangerous. Morning calms are best before the sea breeze.

Cyclone season November–April. Visibility is typically 5–15 m, best on neap tides after several calm days. Tides are moderate (about 2 m) on this coast, but water draining off the reef flats creates currents near passages.

The area is extremely remote, with no mobile coverage in most places, so carry an EPIRB and let the station know your plans.

Anchor on sand behind the breakers, descend at the stern section (rudder, steering quadrant and four-bladed propeller in the south-west), follow the 40 m propeller shaft north to the collapsed triple-expansion engine and two boilers, and finish at the partially intact bow lying on its starboard side in the north-east.

No penetration – collapsed structure.

No regular operator – private boats only (beach launch at South Lefroy Bay or Ningaloo Station with permission, or from Coral Bay).