About this place
What to expect
Quite a few ships have come to grief on the fringing reef surrounding Lady Elliot Island, but only one can be explored by divers. The Severance, a fully intact yacht that sank in 1998, now rests on the sandy seafloor in 21 metres of water, with much of its rigging still in place and draped in colourful soft corals. Today, the wreck has become a haven for marine life. Cobia, sweetlips, emperors, snappers, trevally and gropers are commonly seen sheltering around the yacht, while a peek inside often reveals tasselled wobbegongs, coral trout, coral cod, lionfish and thousands of shrimps. Keep an eye on the water beyond the wreck too, as turtles, stingrays, reef sharks, eagle rays and manta rays are regular visitors. With its combination of fascinating history and thriving marine life, the Severance remains one of Lady Elliot Island's most rewarding dive sites.