Barrett Reef
Also known as: Wanganella wreck
Best time to dive
January to March
Certification & difficulty
Advanced Open Water - advanced conditions (currents/depth); dive within your training.
Snorkelling
Not a snorkel site - Not recommended given current and shipping hazards
Safety notes
Major shipping hazard and site of the 1968 TEV Wahine disaster (53 lives lost) and the 1947 MS Wanganella grounding; strong currents and gales are frequent; importantly, contrary to the site's alias, no substantial Wanganella wreck exists here today - the Wanganella was refloated and fully repaired by October 1948, and the Wahine wreck was broken up by storm and dismantled/salvaged (notably by the floating crane Hikitia) with removal completed by 1973, so there is no intact wreck left to dive
Permits & fees
None required; open coastal/harbour waters
Permits and operators change - confirm before booking.
Location
Nearest hub: Wellington Harbour entrance
This profile is desk research, compiled from public sources - not a first-hand dive report. Coordinates are approximate.