The Kona was a four-masted wooden schooner of 679 tons and 184 ft, built in 1901, that was wrecked on a shoal in a gale in Antechamber Bay in 1917 after a 73-day voyage from San Francisco. DEW's Kangaroo Island Shipwreck Trail records that her remains lie in shallow water, with the forecastle and bows in about one fathom (roughly 2 m) near Sandy Point; another wreck register describes the wreck as in pieces.

This is a snorkel as much as a dive. The timbers and iron fastenings lie in the shallows among sand and weed, colonised by algae and small fish – leatherjackets, wrasse, juvenile salmon – with crabs and small rays around the wreckage. Visibility varies with wind and swell, and the shallow depth means surge is felt on anything but a calm day. The appeal is historical: standing in waist-to-chest-deep water on the timbers of a sailing ship from the last days of commercial sail.

Antechamber Bay is a quiet corner of the Dudley Peninsula with a campground, a river mouth and beaches, and Cape Willoughby lighthouse is nearby. The Kona's remains are a protected historic shipwreck: look, photograph and leave everything in place. It suits snorkellers, families and divers with an interest in maritime history on a calm day. The Chapman River mouth at Antechamber Bay is also a popular kayaking and camping spot, making the Kona an easy add-on to a relaxed day on the Dudley Peninsula. Low tide on a calm morning gives the best view of the remains.

Take the SeaLink ferry from Cape Jervis to Penneshaw (45 min). From Penneshaw drive about 20 km south-east towards Cape Willoughby and turn off to Antechamber Bay (partly unsealed). The remains lie near Sandy Point in about 2 m (1 fathom).

Park at the Antechamber Bay campground/beach area and walk along the beach to the site, then snorkel or dive from shore in calm conditions.

The Dudley Peninsula sites lie on Backstairs Passage and Eastern Cove, sheltered from the prevailing south-westerly swell but swept by strong tidal streams through the passage. Dive around slack water, particularly near headlands and islands; wind against tide creates steep chop. Easterly and north-easterly winds make Penneshaw and Hog Bay choppy, while south-easterlies affect Antechamber Bay and Cape Willoughby.

Summer and autumn bring the calmest days; winter westerlies are usually fine on this side of the island. Antechamber Bay is exposed to easterly and south-easterly winds; the shallow site is only worth visiting in calm weather.

Snorkel or shallow-dive around the forecastle and bow remains near Sandy Point at 1-2 m, then explore the surrounding sand and weed.

Protected historic shipwreck – no souveniring.

No regular operator – independent.