Deep training, wreck exploration

DIVE SITES and WRECK DATABASE The wrecks, Caves, Caverns & Reefs of Malta, Gozo and Comino

Voted the third best place to dive in the world, the islands of Malta, Gozo and Comino are a Technical Diver's paradise. We provide certified divers with some of the best diving to be found anywhere, with dive sites ranging from wrecks, reefs, caves and caverns to the world famous remarkable natural phenomenon, the Blue Hole. The Blue Hole has recently been voted as one of the top ten dives anywhere in the world.

Most dives in Malta are shore dives, although you will find many opportunities to boat dive. Many of the wrecks are below 30 metres, and require technical training, but for the average recreational diver, there's no shortage of good sites.

The combination of wrecks and history make Malta one of the most exciting wreck diving detinations in the world. From the time of the Phoenicians to the present day, Malta has a long and fascinating maritime past. During World War II, Malta became the most bombed place on earth - 6,700 tons fell in just six weeks. The brave Maltese were awarded the George Cross in 1942 "...to bear witness to a heroism and devotion that will long be famous in history". Ranging from Destroyers, Submarines, Aircraft and Passenger Liners to the World Heritage site The X127 Waterlighter - the only remaining intact example of it's kind; it is no surprise then that a large number of the best wreck sites here date from the First and Second World Wars. The Maltese islands also play host to several purpose sunk vessels, scuttled deliberately for the purpose of diving.

Maltaqua's technical divers are actively in the hunt for new wrecks, with new sites being discovered every year. Many of the wrecks we visit have only recently been discovered, some of them are practically virgin having only been dived by a privelaged select few.

The information and images we are trying to gather on this page is continually being updated with each dive. If you have any additional knowledge on any of the wrecks listed, or have information regarding vessels suspected of having been lost in our region that you think we should be searching for, we would love to hear from you.

wrecks [malta and gozo]

Bristol Beaufighter

	location: 900m offshore St Julian's Point max depth (m): 38m orientation: Upside Down site access: Boat diver level: AOW [Or Equivalant] ---------- nationality: British type of wreck: Bristol Beaufighter [Aircraft] propulsion:   weight (tons): dimensions (m): cause lost: Mechanical Failure date lost: WWII date rediscovered: date built: builder: owner:   engine:   power:   speed: 328mph protected: No wargrave: No last update: 20.02.2009 comments: On the 17th March 1943 the Beaufighter left Malta on a mission. Almost as soon as she left the airport mechanical problems occurred. The aircraft began vibrating rapidly and quickly she began to lose altitude. The crew were left with no other option than to ditch the plane in the sea. Both crew escaped unharmed. The aircraft now lies upside down on a sandy bottom with the wings and centre fuselage still intact. Most of the wreck is buried in the sand, with both undercarriage frames and shredded tyres sticking up from their wing positions behind the engines. One of the propellers is still attached to the engine however, partly buried.

Bristol Blenheim Bomber

	location: 800m out from Xorb L-Ghagin max depth (m): 42m orientation: Sitting Upright site access: Boat diver level: AOW [Or Equivalent] ---------- nationality: British type of wreck: Bristol Blenheim Mark IV Bomber [Aircraft] propulsion:   weight (tons): dimensions (m): cause lost: Shot Down date lost: Beginning WWII date rediscovered: date built: builder: owner:   engine: 2 x Radial Bristol power: 850hp speed: 460km/h protected: No wargrave: No last update: 20.02.2009 comments: This excellent dive, of a British World War 11 Blenheim bomber, should be carefully planned, for it now rests peacefully at 42m, two miles off the Southwest coast of Malta. She lies on a seabed of sand, with many small outcrops of rocks covered in coral and marine growth, here the visibility is normally very good and can be as much as 40 metres plus. The engine and the wings are intact and upright, with only the propeller missing on the port side engine. The cockpit, joystick and front jockey wheel are still there, but the fore section of the plane must have broken off during impact and lies a few meters away, in front of the wings. The small reefs which surround the plane wreckage provide a good habitat for marine life, at the end of the dive whilst ascending and completing decompression or safety stops on the shot line, there is a good chance of seeing large fish, shoals of barracuda and maybe sting rays.

HM Drifter Eddy

	location: Grand Harbour max depth (m): 56m orientation: Sitting upright site access: Shore diver level: Technical ---------- nationality: British type of wreck: Dredger (Drifter) propulsion: weight (tons): dimensions (m): Length 27m; Beam 6m cause lost: Sunk by a mine. She has a large hole in her hull on the starboard side, caused by the mine that sunk her. date lost: 26/05/1942 date rediscovered: 26/10/1995 date built: Launched 6th August 1918 builder: A. Hall owner:   engine: power: speed: protected: Yes wargrave: No (From research gathered it is known that four Maltese port workers died on HM Drifter Eddy on Tuesday morning of the 26/5/1942. It appears that the bodies of these four victims were all recovered. Three other port workers also died whilst serving on HM Drifter Eddy a few days earlier on 25th May 1942. The bodies of these three victims were all taken to shore. It is important to note that no human remains have been found on HM Drifter Eddy by the diving team). last update: 28.05.2009 comments: Diving on this wreck is considered hazardous due to its close proximity of Grand Harbour entrance and ship traffic in and out of Valletta harbour.

HMS Hellespont

	location: Three miles off Riscasoli Breakwater lighthouse max depth (m): 45m orientation: Sitting upright on sandy seabed site access: Boat diver level: AOW [or equivelant] ---------- nationality: Maltese type of wreck: Robust-class Deep Sea Rescue Paddle Steamer propulsion: weight (tons): dimensions (m): cause lost: During an air raid she was sunk by German/Italian aircraft, later salvaged then towed outside Grand Harbour and scuttled. date lost: 6/7th April 1942 date rediscovered: date built: Launched 10th May 1910 builder: C & W Earls Shipbuilding & Engineering Co. Hull, England owner:   engine: power: speed: protected: Yes wargrave: last update: 28.05.2009 comments: An interesting dive with lots to see and explore. A stunning wreck which has remained remarkably intact.

HMS Maori

	location: St. Elmo Bay, Valletta max depth (m): 13m orientation: Sitting upright site access: Shore diver level: OW [or equivelant] ---------- nationality: British type of wreck: Tribal Class British Destroyer propulsion:   weight (tons): 1959grt dimensions (m): 115m; Beam 11m; Crew of 190 cause lost: Direct hit from enemy bomb and caught fire. Shortly after being abandoned the aft magazine exploded, sinking the destroyer stern first. date lost: 12/02/1942 date rediscovered: date built: Launched 2nd September 1937 builder: Fairfield, Govan, Scotland owner: Royal Navy engine: power: speed: 36 knots protected: Yes wargrave: No last update: 25.05.2009 comments: In 1945 she was cut in two and the forepart was refloated, then towed to St. Elmo Bay. The aft section was re-floated and sunk in deep water off the island. This wreck is great for training dives.

HMS Russell

	location: 4.2 miles from St. Elmo Breakwater Lighthouse max depth (m): 115m orientation: Completely upside down, stern section missing site access: Boat diver level: Technical [Trimix] ---------- nationality: British type of wreck: Duncan Class Battleship propulsion: Two shaft triple expansion, 18000 IHP weight (tons): Displacement 14,000grt dimensions (m): Length 140m; Breadth 25m; Crew 800 cause lost: While manoeuvring outside Grand Harbour, she struck a mine and became one of the first victims of the German mine laying submarines. date lost: 27/04/1916 date rediscovered: July 2003 (by British technical diving team  Starfish Enterprise ) date built: Laid down 11th March 1899; Launched February 1903 builder: Palmers Shipbuilding and Ironworks, Jarrow on Tyne owner:   engine: power: speed: 19 knots (one of the fastest warships afloat of her time) protected: Yes wargrave: Yes (126 sailors died, 625 were saved including the Admiral and the Captain) last update: 28.05.2009 comments:

HMS Southwold

	location: Approximately 1.5 miles off Marsascala Bay max depth (m): 65 - 75m orientation: Lying on her starboard side on sandy seabed site access: Boat diver level: Technical ---------- nationality: British type of wreck: Hunt Class Destroyer propulsion: weight (tons): 1050grt dimensions (m): 86m; Beam 9.5m; Carried crew of 168 cause lost: While trying to help another Merchant ship the Breconshire, a floating mine exploded under her engine room. She was taken in tow but the damage was so severe she sank. date lost: 23/03/1942 date rediscovered: date built: 1941 builder: J.S. White, Cowes owner: engine: power: speed: 29 knots protected: Yes wargrave: Yes last update: 25.05.2009 comments: She lies on the seabed in two sections, the bow is the largest and the stern lies some 300 metres away. Good dive planning and safely cover is required for this Trimix dive.

HMS St. Angelo

	location: Entrance to Grand Harbour max depth (m): 55m orientation: Sitting upright on seabed of boulders and sandy site access: Boat diver level: AOW [or equivelant] ---------- nationality: Maltese type of wreck: Robust-class Deep Sea Rescue Paddle Steamer propulsion: weight (tons): dimensions (m): cause lost: During an air raid she was sunk by German/Italian aircraft, later salvaged then towed outside Grand Harbour and scuttled. date lost: 6/7th April 1942 date rediscovered: date built: Launched 10th May 1910 builder: C & W Earls Shipbuilding & Engineering Co. Hull, England owner:   engine: power: speed: protected: Yes wargrave: last update: 28.05.2009 comments: An interesting dive with lots to see and explore. A stunning wreck which has remained remarkably intact.

HMS Stubborn P238

	location: Two miles off Qawra Point on the north coast of Malta max depth (m): 57m orientation: Sitting upright on sandy seabed site access: Boat diver level: Technical ---------- nationality: British type of wreck: 1940 S-Class Submarine propulsion: Max Fuel Capacity of 92 tons gave her a range of 6,000 miles weight (tons): Maximum Displacement - 990grt dimensions (m): 70m; Beam 7m; Carried full crew of 48 cause lost: Scuttled after suffering her worst attack in the war date lost: 30/04/1946 date rediscovered: 27/7/1994 date built: Launched 11th November 1942; Commissioned January 1943 builder: Cammell Laird & Co of Birkenhead UK owner: engine: power: speed: 15 knots on surface, 9 knots below protected: Yes wargrave: Yes last update: 25.05.2009 comments: Excellent boat dive for experienced divers only. This wreck is remarkably well preserved with it's conning tower, torpedo tubes and props, there are two open hatches, but please do not enter.

Le Polynesien

	location: max depth (m): 63 - 70m orientation: Listing on the port side at an angle of 45 degrees site access: Boat diver level: Technical [Trimix] ---------- nationality: French type of wreck: Passenger Liner propulsion:   weight (tons): 6659grt dimensions (m): 152m; Carried 252 passengers cause lost: Torpedoed by German U-boat UC22 (Engine room took direct hit) date lost: 10.30am 10/08/1918 date rediscovered: date built: Launched 18th April 1890 builder: Circat owner: The Company of Maritime Freight engine: Steam Engine (12 Coal Boilers) power: speed: 17.5 knots protected: Yes wargrave: Yes last update: 25.05.2009 comments: Often there are strong currents over this wreck so proper planning and safety cover is required for this Trimix dive.

M.V. Imperial Eagle

	location: 500m off from Qawra Point max depth (m): 42m orientation: Sitting Upright site access: Boat diver level: AOW [Or Equivalent] ---------- nationality: Maltese type of wreck: Passenger Ferry propulsion:   weight (tons): dimensions (m): cause lost: Intentionally Scuttled date lost: July 1999 date rediscovered: date built: 1938 builder: Sunderland, UK owner:   engine: power: speed: protected: No wargrave: No last update: 20.02.2009 comments: As one of the popular diving magazines headed an article 'The Eagle has Landed'. After some sixty years working as a pleasure/ferry boat, some of that time on the rivers Thames, before coming to Malta to work the routes between Malta and Sicily and finally the route between Malta and Gozo. She was built in Sunderland in 1938 and named the New Royal Lady, then the Royal Lady followed by the Crested Eagle and when she arrived in Malta it was changed again to the Imperial Eagle. One long hot summers day in July 1999 she was scuttled off Qawra Point as an artificial reef in Malta's first Marine Park. She sits upright on a sandy seabed at 38m; adjacent to a reef and nearby is a large statue of Christ. This is a boat dive and requires planning but is well worth the effort to visit this old timer and maybe have your photograph taken by the ships wheel on the bridge. The Imperial Eagle is now home to a variety of fish and marine life.

M.V. Rozi

	location: Cirkewwa Point max depth (m): 34m orientation: Sitting upright on sandy sandbed site access: Shore diver level: AOW [Or Equivalent] ---------- nationality: Maltese type of wreck: Tugboat propulsion:   weight (tons): dimensions (m): 30m cause lost: Intentionally scuttled as artificial reef date lost: 1992 date rediscovered: date built: 1958 builder: Charles Hill & Sons Ltd, Liverpool, England owner: Originally Johnstone Warren Lines Ltd and launched as Rossmore. She was renamed Rossgarth in 1969 and and in 1972 was sold to Mifsud Brothers (Malta Ship Towage) Ltd, Malta, retaining her name. In the same year she sailed from Liverpool for Malta where in 1973 she was registered. She was sold to Tug Malta in 1981 and renamed Rozi. engine: power: speed: protected: Yes wargrave: No last update: 28.05.2009 comments: Deliberately scuttled in 1992 as an attraction for submarine tours, which sadly no longer operates. The Rozi sits upright on a sandy seabed, a short distance from a reef, intact, except for her engines and propeller. Thousands of divers over the years have enjoyed this 40m long artificial reef, which is normally surrounded by many fish, these include Damselfish, Sea Bream, Saddle Bream, Wrasse and shoals of Barracuda. Moray and Conger Eels have alsp made this their home. A short distance to the east of the wreck is a large metal anchor, which attracts many underwater photographers trying to take that prize-winning photograph. When leaving the wreck to return to the exit point there is an excellent reef which can be explored whilst carrying out safety stops.

P29 Patrol Boat

	location: Cirkewwa, Marfa Point max depth (m): 38m orientation: Sitting upright on sandy bottom site access: Shore diver level: AOW [or equivelant] ---------- nationality: Maltese (was originally German) type of wreck: Kondor Class Boat propulsion:   weight (tons): 360grt dimensions (m): 52m cause lost: Sold to the Malta Tourism Authority to be scuttled as an attraction for divers. date lost: 14/08/2007 date rediscovered: date built: 1960's builder: Peenewerft, Wolgast, East Germany owner: Malta Tourism Authority (formerly part of the German Democratic Republic logistical fleet, then Armed Forces of Malta's Maritime Squadron. engine: power: speed: protected: Yes wargrave: No last update: 25.05.2009 comments:

Schnellboot S-31 (E-boat)

	location: One mile from Grand Harbour entrance. max depth (m): 73m orientation: Sitting Upright site access: Boat diver level: Technical (Trimix) ---------- nationality: German type of wreck: German Torpedo Boat propulsion: 3 x propellers weight (tons): dimensions (m): cause lost: Explosion due to hitting one of the mines she was laying, trying to caputre HMS Welshman. date lost: 0438am 10/05/1942 date rediscovered: date built: Launched October 1939 builder: Lurssen, Vegesack Beckedorf, Germany owner:   engine: 3 x Daimler-Benz diesel engines power: speed: 38 knots; Range of 800 sea miles protected: Yes wargrave: Yes last update: 28.05.2009 comments: This wreck has fully intact torpedoes still inside her tubes ready for launching.

Zurrieq "Um El Faroud"

	location: 150m off from Wied Iz-Zurrieq max depth (m): 34m orientation: Sitting Upright site access: Boat diver level: AOW [Or Equivalent] ---------- nationality: Libyan type of wreck: Tanker [designed as a Freighter] propulsion:   weight (tons): 10,000grt dimensions (m): 110m cause lost: Intentionally scuttled for divers date lost: 02.09.1998 date rediscovered: date built: 1969 builder: Smith Dock of Middlesburgh owner:   engine: power: speed: protected: No wargrave: No last update: 20.02.2009 comments: Possibly the best wreck dive in the Mediterranean, the Um El Faroud was scuttled in 1998 following a terrible explosion on board that killed nine Maltese dockyard workers. For three years she lay in the harbour of Valletta, now with the memorial brass plaque above the front windows of the helm, she sits upright on the sandy seabed Southwest of Wied-iz-Zurrieq. The Um El Faroud weighs 10,000 tons and is 110 metres long. The depth to the top of the bridge is 16m and 26m to the main deck. It is 36m to the propeller and rudder and 30m to the sand below the bows. Divers might come across some squid and barracudas at the stern. The port side is usually teaming with large schools of sea bream, parrotfish and silversides. Sometimes one can come across the occasional amberjack and tuna. The wreck can be entered fairly easily, but due to its size, this should be restricted only to divers with advanced wreck diving training. A fantastic dive, not to be missed.

caves / caverns / reefs - malta

Anchor Bay

	location: Near Popeye Village max depth (m): 18m site access: Beach diver level: OW [Or Equivalent] comments: Inside the bay there is not much to see. Very good for confined water training. On the other side of the pier you will find massive boulders. Two of these boulders mark the entrance to Scorpion Cave. Here you can find many brittle starfish and cave shrimps. It is possible to surface inside the cave. Very popular for underwater photographers where macro photography can be used.

Ghar Lapsi

	location: Southern Coast near Lapsi max depth (m): 22m site access: Shore diver level: OW [Or Equivalent] comments: In the Maltese language 'ghar' means cave. Ghar Lapsi is a fishing hamlet on the southern coast. Access to the water is easy. Within a few strokes from the entry point is a shallow system of underwater caves lit up with beams of sunlight from the numerous slits and the two main exits on the open sea side of the cave. There are three main reefs and many small ones with depressions surrounded by rocky outcrops with most of the typical marine fauna of the Mediterranean Sea. The inner reef runs along the shoreline with an average depth of 11m. Then there is Finger reef, which runs out in a south-westerly direction with a maximum depth of 20m, but the best is the outer reef, which zig zags parallel with the shore line. It requires a 7/8-minute swim out from the inner reef over the sand. The deepest part of the outer reef is the crib, at a depth of 22m, which is a replica made from metal, placed here by the local dive club in an overhang and further along the reef is a cave with a hole in the roof, which you can exit through. There are large areas of sand and grass around these reefs, on the sand one can see Electric Rays and Flying Gurnards, there are also many other fish and marine animals to see.

caves / caverns / reefs - gozo

caves / caverns / reefs - comino