Dive Sites in MALTA

The Valletta area , including  Marsamxett Harbour  and the Grand Harbour , was the scene of massive aerial bombardment during World War II and now contains a large number of wrecks. Many of these are on mayjot shipping routes and consequently out of bounds. However , tow wrecks – HMS Maori and the barge Carolita are perfect for exploration , whilst other accessible  wrecks are the Tent Peg Wreck , MV Odile and HMS Jersey.

Several sites can be found along the North of the island , as well as very deep wrecks  like the HMS Stubborn , an intact submarine in 60 M – 200feet .

The popular Marfa Ridge  is a magnet for dive training  and for more experienced divers who want to dive the wreck of the ROZI .

In the South of the island the caves and cliffs to the southwest are spectacular. As well as the relativelly unexplored island of filfla , there are also three new wrecks along the south coast. To the Southeast , the Blenheim Bomber near Marsaxlokk at a  depth of 42m –136 ft is very popular. A submarine sea mount called the Hamrija Bank lies 19Km east of Valletta and rises to 30 m below the surface.Almost totally unexplored by divers , it is used by ocean going tankers which drop anchor in the area before berthing at Valletta.

Generally the diving is scenic with wonderful walls, spectacular  natural archways , caves , caverns and wrecks contributing to the overall pleasure of the dive . Fish life is much more profuse than you move been led to beleive, with huge shoals of damselfish , bream , bogue  and smelt  to be encountered at most sites. Several areas are popular for fish feeding , and although there are reservations  about the possible effect  this may have on natural ecological processes , many snorkeling and diving tourists come to enjoy the spectacle of being surrounded by thousands of fish.

Valletta Area

1 MV ODILE

2Star

Location In kalkara Creek directly between Vittoriosa and Kalkara

Access Dive via Vitoriosa  Quay and tunnel to the creek. Park next to the swings , with entry from the wall . Swim out in line with the old lift shaft on the far side.- the wreck is mid channel.

Conditions – Fairly sheltered in the inner creek of the Grand Harbour , though visibility will drop to zero if you disturb the fine layer of silt which lies over eveything.

Average depth 20M – 66 feet

Maximum depth 24 M –77 ft

Average visibility – 6 m  - 20feet

Originally thought to be the wreck of the HMS abdingdon, sunk on  4^th Apr 1942, the wreck is actually that of Italian steam freighter MV Odile , which was bombed during World War II , then salvaged in the 1970s . Fairly well broken up –The bows and the propeller are still missing, facing northwest and lying on her port side, the wreck covers a large area and is difficult to find in poor visibility without local knowledge. Penetration of the wreck is possible but only for experienced divers with the proper equipment –icluding reels. You can swim the entire wreck in 40 minutes. This is a dive when the north westerly winds spoil the other side of the island.

2 HMS JERSEY

2star

Location –Entrance to the Grand Harbor

Access Through Kalkara to the wartime buildings below Fort Ricasola –Reached via the foothpath from the car park at the fort.

Conditions –Beware large passing ships and marine traffic. Then site is exposed to northeasterly swells and wind.

Average depth- 13 to 15 m 

Maximum depth –18M

Visibility – 6-10M

Enter the water near the buildings at the waters edge –swim to the near end of the breakwater on the surface , about 100m then submerge and follow the due north setting on your compass for about 30 minutes. The seabed is mainly flat sand and rubble though with some interesting boulders and marine life. The Jersey itself hit a mine and sank as she was entering the Grand Harbour ; the remains of the bow section are all that are left.

3 The Submarine Pen

Location On the corner of the fish market at Valletta, Grand Harbour.

Access- From the steps in font of the fish market with a surface swim of around 90m

Conditions Fairly sheltered with visibility variable over a rocky weed substrate.

Average depth – 10m

Maximum depth – 18m

Average visibility – 6 m

During World War II a rough cutting in the rocks here was proposed as a submarine pen, but the project was abandoned. Torches are recommended on this dive to explore the cut  and various crevices, now home to seahorses, shannies , triplefin blennies and various scorpionfish. The seabed is littered with war debris.

4 HMS MAORI

Location – In front of the café at the entrance to the dockyard creek at St. Elmos Bay.

Access- From the slippery steps and concrete waalkway in front of the cafe, 120 m  north and 5min swim before descending onto the wreck at the edge of  the drop.

Conditions – Fairly sheltered , but visibility is a problem, especially during easterly storms.

Average depth 13m

Maximum depth 18m

Average visibility – 6m

HMS Maori was launched in 1937 and saw considerable action in the Norwegian campaign, Atlantic convoys and the Mediterranean. She was ultimately responsible for sinking the Bismark and picked up a number of her survivors ; while en route from Gibraltar the Maori was also involved in a successful attack against the Italian flotilla. However , ships at berth in Malta s harbours were always at risk from aerial attacks launched from airfields in Libya. On the night of 12 February 1942 the Maori received a direct hit in her engine room and the ship slowly began to sink. Declared a hazard to navigation she was subsequently cleared , her guns being removed and the ship wrecked. The bows and the entire stem are gone , but part of the raised bridge is still there and from the rear , divers are able to gain relatively safe and easy access to her remains, with exits through the large holes in her starboard side. There are still live shells protruding from the wreckage and mud , which should not be touched. Although she is stilted up , the Maori is home to  large numbers of fish , and the rocky slope has some interesting nudibranchs and octopus amongst the algae and tube worms.

5         BARGE CAROLITA –Coral

Location – At the start of Lazzaretto creek and opposite the old hospital on Manoel island in Marsamxett harbour.

Access- From the shore next to the dogs home or from the steps before you get to the Royal Malta Yacht Club.

Conditions – Fairly sheltered in the Harbour , but suffers from easterly storms and high rainfall , reducing underwater visibility to almost all.

Average depth –12m

Maximum depth – 22m

Average visibility –6 m

Probably mistaken for a submarine , the carolita barge received a torpedo in her stern on the night of 21 April 1942. She sank  immediately  and now rests facing up the steep silty slope to the old naval hospital. Her bow is in 6m and the rear of the ship is found  at 22 m.- there is no point exploring further as the barge and the seabed are covered in very fine and visibility drops steadily during your dive. The deck of the barge is flat and there are two hatches up front –with restricted access. Access to the engine room is from beneath the bridge or in through the damaged stern.  Large friendly striped grouper are found at the stern. On the swim back to the exit point you will find further remnants from the war days, in the shape of old typwriters , beds and other oddities discarded from the nearby old hospital.

6         THE TENT PEG WRECK

Location Marsamxett harbour- southwest of the barge Carolita

Access- Either by swimming southwest from the carolita or directly out from Ta Xbiex seafront.

Conditions – Fairly sheltered but visibility is a problem

Average depth – 20m

 The seabed is composed of indulating fine white silt and sand . The wreck , formerly a steel cargo steamer ,  lies in asmall valley and is very broken up – she was carrying a general cargo , including tent pegs. The general marine life in the area is surprisingly

7         The Swimming Pool

Location Off the sea water swimming pool at the club in front of the Preluna Hotel in Sliema

Access- Permission must be obtained from the club . Access is from the left hand corner of the sea wall with a giant side entry.

Conditions—Fairly exposed , but generally an easy dive, perfect for trainee divers.

Average depth –8m

Maximum depth- 12m

Average visibility –12m

The reef gently slopes out to the north , with various shallow undercuts where small fish can be found. –Do not expect to see any large fish here.  On the return to the  outer wall of the swimming pool at the eastern corner you will come across a large natural arch , with a tangle of old steel re-enforcing cable and concrete in front of it. Exit is by climbing the rickety ladder on the outer wall of the pool.

DIVE SITES- NORTHERN MALTA.

   Advertise your Holiday Property in Malta | Customer support | Contact Us | site-map |  
Disclaimer | Terms and Conditions