Historic identity, ship construction, and abandonment history.
Historic boat-only wreck with a small stern swim-through.
Historic boat-only wreck with a small stern swim-through.
The Herschel Wreck (Edith Byrne) is a broken steel-hulled wreck off Albany, with bow and stern sections still visible on the seabed and a very small stern swim-through. It is a boat-only intermediate wreck dive where buoyancy control and slow navigation matter more than big intact structure, and the main draw is the historic hull, fish life, and the chance to work a compact wreck site in calm conditions. Expect a site that rewards careful reading of the wreck rather than big swim-throughs or wide open water.
Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.
Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.
Reported Depth
20m
Depth Note
Bow and stern sections are visible at about 20m, with a very small stern swim-through.
Best Season
Late summer through autumn, when southern WA conditions are often calmer and visibility tends to improve.
Typical Conditions
Boat-only wreck dive with low swell preferred, moderate depth, and a compact layout that rewards careful navigation.
Site conditions, restrictions, and access requirements.
Site Conditions
Safety Notes
The stern section includes a very small swim-through-style access; use appropriate wreck-diving precautions and maintain good buoyancy control.
Access Restrictions
Boat access only; the stern opening is very small and should be treated with wreck caution.
Legal Notes
Treat the wreck as a historic site and avoid disturbing the structure or the small stern opening.
Community notes to help plan your visit.
Scuba Diving
Wreck remains include identifiable bow and stern sections around 20 m, with a very small swim access at the stern.
Freediving
Not a freedive site; the wreck depth and overhead features make it a scuba-only choice.
Snorkeling
Not a snorkel site; the wreck sits too deep for surface-only use.
Species commonly reported at this site, with direct links into their wildlife guides.
Community dive logs and visit reports for this site.
Average conditions based on logged dives & visits.
Planning answers for access, conditions, timing, and site logistics.
Last Updated
Research Sources
Historic identity, ship construction, and abandonment history.
Low-swell and rarely-dived wreck context.
Fish life and good-visibility commentary on the wreck.
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