Divers on the Gold Coast are rediscovering the wreck of The Scottish Prince with sand movements uncovering parts of the ship not seen for years.

Key points: Diver Ian Banks said he had noticed the wreck steadily becoming more exposed since 2013

Diver Ian Banks said he had noticed the wreck steadily becoming more exposed since 2013 Coastal management experts suggest shifting sands are exposing the wreck

Coastal management experts suggest shifting sands are exposing the wreck The Scottish Prince ran aground in 1887 nearing the end of a voyage from Scotland to Brisbane

The 64-metre, three-masted, iron-hulled ship is partially buried in sand 500 metres off the Southport Spit.

Gold Coast diver Ian Banks said sand movements since 2013 had exposed more of the ship.

"There was a period where the bowsprit was under the sand [but] it's well and truly out now and you can even swim under the bow," he said.

"That's a little hidey-hole for wobbegong sharks and other fish."

The experienced diver said cargo aboard the ship when it ran aground in 1887 was also more exposed, including pipes and timbers.

"Some of the masts are more exposed than they have been before, so you can see a layer of how it is gradually declining," he said.

The Scottish Prince was carrying mousetraps and sewing machines. ( Supplied: State Library of Queensland )

The Scottish Prince came to grief shortly after midnight on February 2, 1887 when nearing the end of its voyage from the Scottish city of Glasgow to Brisbane.

The passenger and cargo ship, carrying a cargo of items including whisky, beer, mouse traps, and sewing machines, ran aground on what was then known as the southern end of South Stradbroke Island.

Work of sand movement

Research fellow at Griffith University's Centre for Coastal Management, Guilherme Vieira da Silva, said the relocation of the Nerang River mouth in the 1980s — from the southern side of the wreck site to the northern side — likely played a role.

It is hoped a A $5 million artificial reef will bring more dive tourists to the Gold Coast. ( Supplied: City of Gold Coast )

"That left behind a lot of sand in that area," he said.

"Basically, what's happening is that sand that used to be there is slowly migrating onshore, so the deeper parts of the profile around where The Scottish Prince is [resting] are slowly getting deeper.

"That's possibly one of the reasons why The Scottish Prince is slowly getting more exposed."

Mr Banks said the wreck, which sits in approximately 10 metres of water, was popular with divers when conditions were suitable.

"It's so close to shore and shallow that if you have seas over a metre, it's not ideal for diving there," he said.

Artificial dive attraction

Divers will soon have a new site to visit, located approximately three kilometres from The Scottish Prince.

Gold Coast City Council and the Queensland Government have committed $5 million to develop Australia's first purpose-built reef dive attraction, expected to open by June 2021.

The site, south-east of the seaway and 2.5 kilometres offshore from Philip Park, Main Beach, will be built in 30 metres of water and is expected to attract more dive tourists to the city.