The Mandalay was a Norwegian barque that went ashore in 1911 on the beach west of Walpole that now bears her name. The crew survived, and the wreck became part of local folklore; the car park has interpretive panels with excerpts from the captain's log. Chatham Island lies offshore, and the beach is part of the rugged Walpole wilderness coastline.

The wreck is included in this directory for completeness because it is often listed among south coast shipwrecks, but it is not a dive site. The remains lie on the beach in the surf zone and are usually buried under sand, emerging only occasionally after heavy storms strip the beach – local newspapers describe it as buried on the beach. When exposed, iron frames and hull structure can be seen at low tide from the sand.

Mandalay Beach is a high-energy Southern Ocean beach with dangerous surf and rips. Divers and snorkellers looking for water access in the Walpole area should use sheltered Peaceful Bay to the east, or the Walpole and Nornalup Inlets for kayaking. For a combined heritage outing, the drive to Mandalay Beach pairs well with the Tree Top Walk and the Valley of the Giants.

From Walpole drive west on the South Coast Highway and turn south onto Mandalay Beach Road (about 12 km in total); the gravel road leads to a car park with interpretive signage and a boardwalk and steps down to the beach. The wreck lies on the beach itself and is only visible when storms have stripped the sand.

Mandalay Beach faces the Southern Ocean and is a high-energy surf beach with strong rips; it is not safe for swimming, snorkelling or diving in normal conditions. Exposure of the wreck depends on sand movement – it is usually buried and uncovered only occasionally after big winter swells. Visit at low tide on a day with small swell, keep well back from the wash and never turn your back on the ocean.

Not a dive – view the remains on foot at low tide when exposed.

No operator – visited on foot as a heritage attraction; not a recognised dive site.