Creative Commons photo by Matt Kieffer

Divers who have gone to Malta rate the island’s diving spots for its dense population of ship wrecks rather than its critter life. Boasting superb visibility and interesting entrance points, wreck diving in Malta is more suited to experienced aquanauts rather than beginners, and can be quite challenging depending on your fitness level.

Top 3 Deep Wreck Diving Spots in Malta

1. Qawra Point

Resident to more than one ship wreck, diving at Qawra Point is mandatory if you’re interested in seeing submarines and battleships from the early 1900s. The HMS Stubborn P238 is a wreck that has received a particularly high rating for her magnificent condition. Built in 1942 by Cammell Laird of Birkenhead, this 66 metre long s-class battle submarine carried a crew of 44 men back in the day and was armed to the teeth with an impressive 13 torpedoes. Lying just 4km off Qawra Point at a maximum depth of 56 metres, the HMS Stubborn is the titanic of the Mediterranean and well-regarded as the best wreck diving opportunity the island has to offer.

2. Gozo

The Karwela at Gozo is a relatively easy wreck to reach from the shore. First built in 1957, she served in Malta as a passenger ferry for most of her life before she sank for unknown reasons. Highlights of this wreck diving location includes a variety of entrance points into the actual ship, as well as the infamous Volkswagen Beetle sitting on the Karwela’s deck – a landmark that arrived subsequent to the ship’s sinking, no doubt a prank performed by mischievous locals.

3. Xorb l—Ghagin

A wreck diving spot that is only accessible by boat, divers are recommended to go with a reputable scuba instructor for the chance to explore the Blenhein Bomber, a fantastic World War II aircraft that lies beneath Xorb l-Ghagin’s surface. Making for an absolutely stunning dive, the Blenheim Bomber arrival on the ocean floor is as fascinating as the dive itself. Sent out on a bombing raid in 1941, the aircraft was attacked by the enemy and aborted by its pilot before plummeting to the bottom of the sea where it still sits to this day. A dive that is reserved for experienced divers only, this underwater piece of WWI memorabilia is as thrilling as they come and well worth the effort to see.

Ship wreck diving in Malta is a sport that has evolved since the 1980s. A tourist attraction that ranges from novice scuba courses to experienced dive spots, the Maltese archipelago is littered with historical landmarks that welcome brave travellers into their murky caverns. A year-round activity, wreck diving in Malta presents an open ended invitation to holiday-makers looking to plan their next vacation.

Bella Gray is a lifestyle blogger who highly recommends Malta holidays. A travel guide for tourists looking to go abroad, Gray is the perfect go-to-gal for all your holiday advice and travelling solutions.

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A great view of Bass rock / Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Karen Roe

History of Bass Rock

The rock was once the home of a group of Christian hermits who lived a simple and isolated life on the island. The most famous of these early inhabitants was St. Baldred, said to have made the Bass Rock his home as early as the sixth century. A medieval castle was built on the island that in later years was used as a prison. Today, however, all that can be seen of the structure is ruins. A lighthouse was constructed on Bass Rock in 1902 and is now the only building on the island. Bass Rock is home to a large gannet colony, making it a prime birdwatching destination. It has also been mentioned multiple times in literature by the likes of Robert Louis Stevenson, Bruce Marshall and James Robertson.

Tours of Bass Rock

Although there is plenty of historical and cultural significance to Bass Rock, most people want to tour the island thanks to the huge gannet colony. From far away the island might look white, but the colour is actually due to the dense population of white birds on Bass Rock. An hour long boat trip from the Scottish mainland will bring you right up to the island itself and costs twenty-two pounds per person. If you want a more elaborate tour, a five hour boat trip actually takes you onto the island and a local guide will let you feed the gannets and even tour the lighthouse. This longer trip will be ninety-eight pounds per person and needs to be booked at least a few days in advance.

A close-up of the Lighthouse on Bass Rock / Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Martin Pettitt

Nearby Attractions

The Scottish mainland is just one mile from Bass Rock and boasts plenty of interesting local attractions. Most people choose to explore the town of North Berwick while in the area. Head to the Scottish Seabird Centre in North Berwick in order to learn more about the birds that live in the vicinity and better understand the natural wildlife along the coast. There is a beautiful viewing platform over the sea as well as a popular cafe that offers delicious local Scottish meals. Just south of North Berwick along the coastline is the Tantallon Castle, a fourteenth century fortress that is available for touring most of the year. Admission is £4.70 for an adult to tour the castle and there are discounts for children and seniors.

Accommodations in the Area

Unfortunately there is no accommodation directly on Bass Rock. As a result you will have to stay on the Scottish mainland at night and set off on day boat tours of the island. Since there are not a large number of hotels in the area, you might want to choose one of the many Scottish apartments instead and enjoy a self catering holiday. You can find local apartments for rent in North Berwick or other nearby coastal towns such as Dunbar or Aberlady. By shopping for groceries and using the equipped kitchens in the apartments, you can actually save yourself a significant amount of money on your holiday.

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