Norwegian Bay

Norwegian Bay is a remote, shallow-lagoon dive and snorkel area approximately 80 kilometres north of Coral Bay, accessible only by liveaboard sailing vessel, and home to the ruins of a historic shore-whaling station and associated shipwrecks.

Overview

Norwegian Bay was the site of a shore-based whaling station built in 1915 by a Norwegian whaling company, later operated by the Australian North-West Whaling Company from 1920. The station was revived after World War II and operated until 1957, when the industry relocated to Carnarvon. The foundations, flensing decks, slipways, and rusted machinery remain accessible on shore, while several associated vessels were wrecked in the bay during the station’s operating years.

The primary underwater attraction is the wreck of the Fin (sometimes written “SS Fin”), an iron whale chaser that was wrecked in a cyclone in 1923. The Fin lies in shallow water inside the reef lagoon, partly submerged, and is described as an excellent snorkel site in clear water within the Norwegian Bay sanctuary zone. Multiple vessels are associated with the site — divingwawrecks.com documents the Fin, the Zvir, and the SS Perth, as well as an iron whale oil barge approximately 12 metres in length resting 100 metres offshore north of the old jetty.

The diving and snorkelling here is shallow — typically 3–4 metres over shallow sandy lagoons and fringing reef — and the area’s remoteness means minimal visitor pressure and pristine conditions. Sail Ningaloo operates 5-night liveaboard tours that include Norwegian Bay as a destination.

Note on previous data: The coordinates previously recorded for this site (-21.85, 114.1667) were incorrect, placing it near Exmouth. Corrected coordinates (-22.6064, 113.6744) are sourced from geodata.us place name records and confirmed by shipwreckswa.com wreck coordinates (-22.5924, 113.6706) for the Norwegian Bay Barge, approximately 80km north of Coral Bay.

Site Information

• Location: Norwegian Bay, Ningaloo Marine Park, Western Australia (~80km north of Coral Bay; liveaboard access only)
• Entry Type: Boat dive
• Site Type: Reef
• Difficulty Level: Beginner
• Maximum Depth: 4 meters
• Wrecks present: SS Fin (whale chaser, wrecked 1923 cyclone), Norwegian Bay Barge, Zvir, SS Perth (research verification of Zvir and Perth histories ongoing)
• Access: Sail Ningaloo 5-night liveaboard tour; no day-boat access

Sources: Sail Ningaloo — Norwegian Bay Whaling Station, Diving WA Wrecks — Norwegian Bay, Shipwrecks WA — Norwegian Bay Barge. Last updated 2026-06-18.