reefs.
The Blue Lagoon at Comino is sheltered, with numerous caves. It is often the first point of entry for many people snorkelling in the Maltese Islands.
Dwejra Point on Gozo is a shore diving location. The six dive sites offer spectacular underwater topography and marine life.
MALTESE ARCHIPELAGO
by Lawson Wood
THE MALTESE ARCHIPELAGO LIES IN THE central, southern Mediterranean Sea 96km (60 miles) south of Sicily and 467km (290 miles) from the African coast. The Republic of Malta consists of three main islands, Malta, Gozo and Comino, and they are steeped in history. Their language, a curious mixture of Arabic and Latin known as Malti, derives from the various conquests of the islands by the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans, Spanish, French and the Knights of St John.
The islands were the most popular overseas diving destination before the Red Sea opened to mass tourism, and remain favourites of German, Dutch and Italian as well as British divers, with some 40,000 visiting each year.
There is little conservation legislation on the islands, other than those rules imposed by the diving industry partners. However, a new conservation policy is gaining strength, spearheaded by local groups and dive centres. One of the first areas to be protected will be Cirkewwa on Malta, and a number of the new wrecks will also be subjected to fishing restrictions. Malta’s climate has to be the best in Europe. In summer the sun blazes in cloudless blue skies, and because these islands are further south than parts of the North African coast, temperatures are high.
MALTA
Malta is the largest of the three islands at 246 sq km (95 sq miles), and is characterized by steep cliffs in the south, deeply indented northern shores and the sheltered areas around the Grand Harbour of Valletta. Cirkewwa, also known as Marfa Point, is next to the ferry terminal for Gozo and is a magnet for dive training and for more experienced divers who want to dive the wreck of the Rozi.
The islands were awarded the George Cross for their diligence in the face of the enemy during World War II. Valletta Harbour has six divable wreck sites, including HMS Maori and the Carolita barge. Other accessible wrecks are the Tent Peg Wreck 12, mv Odile, HMS Jersey 9, the Blenheim bomber 7 the tanker Um El Faroud 6 and cargo ship Imperial Eagle 13. The purposely sunk 52m (171ft) P29 wreck lies 170m (558ft) offshore, between Cirkewwa and Lantern Points, near to the popular Rozi wreck. P29 was an East German minesweeper before being commissioned by the Maltese Navy as a patrol boat in 1996.
1 THE TUGBOAT ROZI
The Rozi was sunk deliberately in 1992 for divers and sits upright on sand at 36m (120ft). It is home to thousands of chromis, bream and sand smelt. Nearby, the Posidonia seagrass beds contain cuttlefish and pipefish.
2 MARFA CENTRAL (THE TRAINING POOL)
With access from the car park down a concrete ramp to the water’s edge and 1m (3ft) of water, this is perfect for trainees, with a rocky seabed of varying depths and a small shelf and mini-wall that eventually drops to 18m (59ft). An excellent night dive, the site is highly regarded for its octopuses, moray eels, shrimps, crabs and golden cup corals.
3 ANCHOR BAY
This lies down the steeply cut road to the small pier opposite Popeye Village. The diving is best out of the bay and around the corner to the left. A massive boulder next to the wall marks the entrance of the cave and has a base of rounded stones. You will find lots of brittle stars and cave shrimps here.
4 MTAHLEB
This is an unspoiled dive site due to the conditions on the shore before you get to the water. Its all right clambering down 300m (984ft) of rugged headland, but it is another matter climbing back up after a deep dive! The vertical walls, ledges, caves and caverns are home to large numbers of wrasse, parrotfish, chromis (Chromis chromis) and grouper.
5 GHAR LAPSI
This is a safe, shallow cave that runs through the headland. It starts in about 3m (10ft) and comes out on a convoluted wall at 6m (20ft), with a large pile of algae-covered boulders at the entrance. It is near the recently sunk Um El Faroud 6, a tanker that sits in 36m (120ft). This huge ship is a ten-minute swim offshore, but can be reached from the shore entry point for the Blue Grotto, or as a boat dive.
The wreck of the Rozi off Cirkewwa Point sits intact and upright on sand in 36m (120ft). She is always surrounded by large schools of Bogue, chromis, picarel and sand smelt.
Cardinal fish (Apogon imberbis) are found in groups under overhangs and cave entrances during the day.
Small caves, tunnels and caverns are common all over the archipelago, covered in algae, corals and sponges.
Though common around the islands, the camouflage techniques of the sea horse (Hippocampus ramulosus) makes it hard to find.
8 MV ODILE
First thought to be the wreck of HMS Abingdon, this is in fact an Italian steam freighter, bombed during the war and salvaged in the 1970s. Fairly well broken up, she faces north-west and lies on her port side, covering quite a large area. She is difficult to find without local knowledge because of poor underwater visibility. Penetration is possible for experienced divers with suitable equipment.
10 HMS MAORI
This ship was launched in 1937 and saw considerable action in the Mediterranean, being ultimately responsible for the sinking of the Bismarck. During a massive aerial bombardment in February 1942, she sank quickly from a direct hit. The bows and the entire stern are gone. Part of the bridge is accessible above the muddy seabed of the harbour, but divers should beware the numerous live shells sticking out of the wreckage and mud.
11 BARGE CAROLITA (CORAL)
Struck by torpedo in April 1942, the Carolita sank immediately and now rests against the shore opposite the old naval hospital. Her bow is in 6m (20ft) and her stern at 22m (72ft). Access into this flat barge is fairly restricted, but you can examine the engine room from the damaged stern.
