The Wessel Islands form a long, narrow chain running north-east from the English Company's Islands off north-east Arnhem Land to Cape Wessel, roughly 600 km east of Darwin. Marchinbar Island is the largest. The islands are Yolŋu country, historically visited by Macassan trepangers, and they hold a notable place in WWII history: in January 1943 the auxiliary HMAS Patricia Cam was sunk by a Japanese floatplane in the Wessels with the loss of nine lives – the wreck itself has never been located.

Today the Wessels are known mainly as a remote fishing destination from Gove. Published dive information is almost non-existent, and the islands are included here as a documented remote marine area rather than a mapped dive site. The regional pattern suggests fringing coral reefs, rocky shores and strong tidal passages between islands – the 'Hole in the Wall' (Gugari Rip) passage between islands is famous among boaters for its tidal race – with clear water by Top End standards.

Divers visiting on an expedition can expect reef fish such as coral trout, cod and sweetlips, pelagics including giant trevally, Spanish mackerel and queenfish, reef sharks, turtles and dugong. Coral growth is likely to be healthier than around Darwin because of the lower sediment load.

The Wessels suit experienced, self-sufficient divers on a well-equipped multi-day vessel, comfortable with strong currents and total remoteness. Any trip needs land-council permits and careful planning for emergencies – aeromedical evacuation to Darwin is the only route to a chamber. In practice most divers who reach the Wessels do so as guests on fishing trips, fitting in dives around slack water when the skipper agrees.

The Wessel Islands are reached from Nhulunbuy by a long open-water trip north-west past the English Company's Islands, or on multi-day fishing expeditions. Aussie Mob lists the Wessels among Gove's popular offshore fishing destinations. There are no facilities; boats must carry fuel, water and safety equipment for several days, and landing requires Northern Land Council permits.

Nhulunbuy is reached by daily flights from Darwin and Cairns; allow several days for any Wessels trip.

The Gove Peninsula sits at the north-west corner of the Gulf of Carpentaria, and tidal ranges here are much smaller than at Darwin (roughly 2–3 m), so diving is less tide-bound – but slack water still matters at channel and point sites. From April to September the south-east trade wind blows hard (often 15–25 knots), making the exposed east-facing coast and offshore islands rough by late morning; early starts and sites in the lee of islands are the norm. The build-up and early wet (October–December) bring glassy calm days and the best visibility.

In the wet season (December–March) the Gulf side is often still diveable, but inshore sites lose visibility after rain, cyclones are possible and box jellyfish are present.

Plan dives around slack water in the lee of islands, using sand anchorages beside reef edges, or drift passages with a live boat. Keep dives conservative – there is no help nearby.

No dive operator. Gove-based fishing charters run multi-day trips to the Wessels and may accommodate divers by arrangement; otherwise private expedition vessels only.