The Lady Bowen is the best-known shipwreck dive on the Cassowary Coast. Built as a paddle steamer and converted around 1890 into a four-masted iron sailing vessel about 66-69 m long, she foundered in severe weather on Kennedy Shoal, between Mission Beach and Cardwell, in 1894. According to the Queensland Government, all twelve crew survived, rowing to the beach at Cardwell and reporting the loss by telegraph; tourism listings say she struck a reef almost 48 km from where she finally sank.

The wreck lay undiscovered for more than a century until north Queensland divers found it in 1996. In 2013 a brass porthole taken from the wreck turned up for sale on eBay and was returned to the Cardwell and District Historical Society's museum. Today the wreck sits upright on sand in about 34 m, its wooden decking long gone, leaving the iron hull, ribs, ballast, broken planks, a large anchor winch and an anchor, according to marinelife.org.au.

More than a century underwater has turned it into an artificial reef, with coral growth over the structure and a resident population of large fish. Divers report flowery and Queensland groupers, sea snakes, big turtles, lionfish, barracuda, whitetip reef sharks, bull rays, yellow snapper schools and trevally. The depth means short bottom times on air, and nitrox or a conservative profile is sensible.

The wreck is historic and protected: nothing may be touched or removed. It suits experienced divers with deep certification. The upright position and open hull make navigation straightforward: a lap of the wreck and a slow ascent up the line fits comfortably into a no-decompression dive on nitrox.

Boat access only. Mission Beach trips leave from the Clump Point jetty and marina at the northern end of Mission Beach, about 25 km east of the Bruce Highway at El Arish or Tully and roughly 1 hour 45 minutes' drive south of Cairns; there is free parking at Clump Point and most operators collect guests from Mission Beach accommodation. Check-in is usually around 8:00 am.

The run out to the Lady Bowen on Kennedy Shoal takes about 90 minutes, passing Dunk Island and the Family Islands, and is noticeably quicker than reaching the outer reef from Cairns. Trips do not run every day, so book ahead. The wreck is deep and is dived only on scheduled or arranged advanced trips when enough qualified divers book; historically Calypso Dive ran it on Fridays.

Check current availability with Mission Beach Dive. Charter boats from Cardwell or Lucinda can also reach it.

The Mission Beach reefs are exposed to the south-east trade winds, which blow 15-25 knots for much of April-September and can cancel trips; the calmest months are usually September-December. Box jellyfish and Irukandji are present from about October-November to May, most dangerously close to the coast, so wear a full stinger suit. The cyclone season runs November-April, and Mission Beach has been hit hard by cyclones Larry (2006) and Yasi (2011).

Heavy wet-season rain and river flood plumes from the Tully and Johnstone rivers reduce visibility on the inner reefs. The wreck is only dived in light winds, as the long run and deep, exposed site leave no shelter; visibility on the wreck varies widely with runoff and tide, and slack water gives the easiest descent.

Descend the shot or mooring line to the wreck at about 30 m, tour the iron hull and ribs, the anchor winch and anchor, keeping within no-decompression limits (bottom time around 15-20 minutes on air, longer on nitrox). Ascend the line with a safety stop; operators have historically asked for stops at 10 m and 5 m.

Deep recreational dive: Advanced/Deep certification and recent experience recommended; nitrox (EAN28-32) extends bottom time – check MOD; plan a conservative profile with a safety stop; no penetration (hull open).

No regular scheduled operator confirmed – historically Calypso Dive (Mission Beach) ran Friday trips; enquire with Mission Beach Dive or Cardwell/Lucinda charter boats