The Europa was a British-built, Italian-owned iron three-masted barque of 756 tons and 57 m that struck Three Breaks Reef, about 8 miles south of Jurien Bay, on 10 January 1897. Her crew set up a camp on the beach to guard the wreck and its cargo, but, as divingwawrecks tells it, they were distracted by the cargo's alcohol, and the coastal steamer Lubra – herself wrecked in Jurien Bay the following year – began unauthorised salvage.

The wreck lies across the top of the reef in shallow water, with the remains descending southward to about 8 m, where cargo debris covers the seafloor. A notable swim-through and a natural sink reach 14 m and also contain fragmented cargo. The site was long known for its intact bottles in wooden crates, but these had been disturbed by 2014 and broken glass now dominates.

The reef around the wreck has the character of the Turquoise Coast: limestone ledges, overhangs and swim-throughs, with sponges, soft corals and a mix of temperate and subtropical fish carried by the Leeuwin Current – buffalo bream, western king wrasse, harlequin fish, sweep and baldchin groper, plus western rock lobster in the ledges.

It is a worthwhile boat dive for divers based in Jurien Bay with access to a boat, combining history, a reef swim-through and a relaxed profile. The site is protected under historic shipwreck legislation: no artefacts, including bottles, may be removed. Carry a surface marker buoy, as the reef is a long way offshore and boats working cray pots use the area.

Jurien Bay is about 220 km (2.5 hours) north of Perth via the Indian Ocean Drive. Launch at the Jurien Bay Boat Harbour and run about 8 nautical miles south to Three Breaks Reef off the Hill River mouth (20-30 minutes), or launch closer from beach ramps near Hill River in suitable conditions. The wreck lies about 4 miles offshore at S 30° 24.162', E 114° 59.147'.

Anchor in sand south of the reef.

The Turquoise Coast is protected by a line of offshore limestone reefs and islands that break the prevailing south-westerly swell, creating a lagoon of calm, clear water inshore. The main enemy is wind: the strong southerly sea breeze ('Fremantle Doctor') blows most summer afternoons from about 11 am, and winter north-westerly fronts bring storms and poor visibility. Mornings from October to April are best.

The Europa sits on an offshore reef that takes the swell, so divingwawrecks lists under 1 m of swell as diveable. Visibility is typically 5-10 m.

Anchor south of the reef, descend to the 8 m cargo field, follow it toward the reef, visit the swim-through and natural sink to 14 m, then explore the iron hull remains on the reef top if the swell allows.

No scheduled trips; Jurien Bay Oceanic Experience runs dive charters that may visit on request; otherwise private boats.