The Marloo was a coastal steamer carrying general cargo and passengers that struck Sandy Cape Shoal on 26 September 1914. Marinelife.org.au records that she was deliberately beached about 3 miles north of Waddy Point on the north-eastern coast of K'gari to save the ship's company, and was later salvaged for her cargo of ore, copper and piping.

What remains is buried in the sand of the ocean beach and surf zone and is visible only in exceptional weather. There is no established dive here, and in most conditions the surf, rips and poor visibility make any attempt pointless or dangerous. The site belongs in this database as part of the documented maritime history of the K'gari coast – a coast where Breaksea Spit and Sandy Cape Shoal have claimed many vessels – rather than as a dive destination.

Visitors to the northern end of K'gari, which is reached only by 4WD after a barge crossing and several hours of beach driving, may find exposed remains after storms. Treat any exposed structure as a protected historic wreck: look, photograph, and leave everything in place.

Divers wanting to experience the region's wrecks should instead book the ex-HMAS Tobruk from Hervey Bay or Bundaberg, or dive the historic hulls of the Roy Rufus Artificial Reef, which are in calm, accessible water and serviced by an operator. For the K'gari ocean-beach wreck experience, the Maheno further south is the classic above-water stop. Waddy Point, the nearest landmark, has a QPWS camping area, and the rocky headland there is one of the few places on the island's east coast with some shelter from the south-east.

Take the vehicle barge to K'gari from River Heads or Inskip Point (4WD, vehicle access permit required from Queensland Parks) and drive the eastern ocean beach north to Waddy Point, 3-4 hours from the barge timed around low tide. Marinelife.org.au places the Marloo about 3 miles north of Waddy Point; continue north along the beach towards Sandy Cape. The remains are buried and only visible in exceptional conditions, so check with rangers or locals first.

The site is on K'gari's exposed eastern ocean beach, facing the south-east trades and open-ocean swell almost year-round, with a permanent shore break, rips and longshore current. Marinelife.org.au notes the wreck is buried and visible only in exceptional weather – typically after big seas scour the beach, followed by rare flat, westerly conditions. Surf-zone visibility is usually near zero.

Not a planned dive. If remains are exposed at low tide, view them from the beach; enter the water only in flat conditions with a shore spotter.

Historic shipwreck – protected; do not disturb remains.

No operator – not a regular dive site.