The Yatala Reef is one of the youngest wrecks on the Investigator Strait Shipwreck Trail and one of the least visited. She was a wooden, cutter-rigged motor vessel built in Melbourne in 1948 for the Royal Australian Air Force, and later worked as a fishing and cargo vessel in South Australian waters. On 21 December 1981, off Port Moorowie, a fire broke out in her engine room.

The four crew abandoned ship safely before the fire triggered three explosions, and the burnt-out vessel sank about 800 m offshore in around 11 m. Because she was timber-built and burnt before sinking, what remains is a low profile of framing, planking fragments, the engine and metal fittings spread across the sand and seagrass rather than a recognisable hull. The Department for Environment and Water describes the site as home to abundant fish life, and the wreckage has become a small reef oasis with leatherjackets, old wives, magpie perch, sweep, trevally and schools of small baitfish, along with crabs, octopus and encrusting sponges and algae.

It is a straightforward depth for Open Water divers, but access limits its popularity: Port Moorowie is a remote shack settlement with only a beach launch, and the south coast of the peninsula is exposed to swell from Investigator Strait. Most visitors are divers working through the shipwreck trail, or locals looking for a quick dive close to home. As a protected historic shipwreck (vessels over 75 years old and those declared under the Act), and part of an interpretive trail, it should be treated gently.

Combine it with a look at the reefs along this stretch of coast or with a trip to Troubridge Point and the Clan Ranald further east.

Port Moorowie is a small shack settlement on the south coast about 15 km south-west of Yorketown (roughly 240 km from Adelaide), reached by sealed and gravel roads. Small boats can be launched from the beach ramp at Port Moorowie in calm weather; alternatively run from Edithburgh around Troubridge Point (about 30 km, 45 minutes). The wreck is about 800 m offshore – use the DEW trail coordinates and a shot line.

Troubridge Point and the reefs south-west of Edithburgh face Investigator Strait and pick up southerly and south-westerly swell that wraps in from the Southern Ocean past Kangaroo Island. Anything over about 1-1.5 m of southerly swell produces heavy surge on the drop-off and poor visibility, and strong south-westerly winds make the boat run from Edithburgh rough. The best days follow a few days of northerly or light north-westerly winds, which flatten the sea along this coast; February-April with a prevailing northerly is the classic window.

Tidal streams in the strait can run strongly on spring tides, so plan around neaps or the turn of the tide. The Port Moorowie beach launch is only usable in light winds and low swell.

Descend on the shot to the wreckage at 11 m, swim a slow circuit of the remains and engine, then explore the surrounding seagrass and sand edge before returning to the shot for ascent.

No regular operator; dived occasionally by locals and Adelaide club members with their own boats.