Malta

Malta is the, largest island in the archipelago, is well indented with harbours, bays, creeks, several sandy beaches and rocky coves. While the Grand Harbour area and most of the central-eastern region are built up, the countryside to the North is rugged and sparsely populated. There are many caves, reefs, wrecks and small islands to explore.

Here are just a few of the possible 20 or so dive sites around the island of Malta:

Cirkewwa - Madonna, Marfa Point (Maximum depth - 25 m)

This dive is a shore dive, and starts off from a shallow lagoon. There is a reef which drops down to about 18 metres. Not far is a small cavern with a statue of the Madonna, which was placed there by a local diving club to protect all divers visiting the area. Marine life includes large scorpion fish, lots of fireworms, sea urchins and large numbers of cardinal fish. You can also see larger fish such as tuna and barracuda. The dive usually ends at the foot of a small arch in the reef wall.

Cirkewwa - Tugboat Rozi (Maximum depth - 36 m)

The Rozi was a 40 metre tug deliberately sunk in 1991 as an underwater attraction for glass-bottomed boat tours. The Rozi sits upright on the sandy seabed, intact except for its engines and propeller. This is one of the most popular dive sites on the Maltese Islands, with much to see and explore. The ship is surrounded by thousands of fish, including sea breams, scorpion fish, rainbow wrasses and cardinal fish.

Valletta - HMS Maori (Maximum depth – 15m)

HMS Maori, Royal Navy destroyer was hit in 1942. She lies on a sandy bottom at a depth of around 18 metres. Her guns were removed and the bows and stern are gone, however part of the raised bridge is still there. Divers can enter the remains quite easily, with exits through large holes in the starboard side. Although silted up, there are plenty of different types of fish and other creatures in and amongst the wreckage, which is covered with green weed and fireworms. There are also John Dory, eels and sometimes octopi on and around the wreck. In the sand nearby sea horses are found.

Delimara - Blenheim Bomber (Maximum depth - 42 m)

The Blenheim Bomber is on its belly with the engines and wings intact, but the front section of the fuselage has been smashed off and is now several metres in front of the main part of the wreckage. It is dived by boat, but not all dive centres know of its exact location. There is sometimes a current running so it is important to descend as quickly as possible holding onto the shot line which will be provided. Lots of marine life can be seen including red crabs, hermit crabs and scorpion fish. This is a dive for more experienced divers only.

Wied iz-Zurrieq - Um El Faroud (Maximum depth – 36 m)

The Um El Faroud weighs 10,000 tons and is 115 metres long. The depth to the top of the bridge is 18 metres and 25 metres to the main deck. Divers might come across some squid and barracudas at the stern. The port side is usually teeming with large schools of sea breams, parrotfish and silversides. Sometimes one can come across the occasional amberjack and tuna. There is also a resident Moray in a pipe on the starboard side. The wreck can be entered fairly easily, but due to its size, this should be restricted only to divers with advanced wreck diving training.