As someone who loves underwater adventures, recently, I got to check another activity off my bucket list and that is Wreck diving in Gozo. The Mediterranean island of Gozo, located in the north of Malta, is a premier wreck diving destination. To say that what I experienced there was otherworldly would be an understatement. The dramatic seascapes and fascinating shipwrecks from different eras are now engraved in my mind forever.
With more people noticing the buzz surrounding such activities, the diving tourism market is already worth billions of dollars and is continuing to experience significant growth. (Grand View Research: Diving Tourism Market)
If you are also fascinated by this idea of exploring a shipwreck which is nothing less than an underwater museum, and considering going on this adventure, this article is for you. Here I will tell you all about wreck diving in Gozo.
Let’s dive right into it!
The Appeal of Wreck Diving
Before moving on to the Gozo exploration, let’s first understand why wreck diving is so appealing to many divers. For starters, wrecks create artificial reefs that attract abundant marine life, providing the structure and shelter that fish and other sea creatures thrive on. Therefore, as vessels sink and settle on the seafloor, corals, sponges, and other organisms gradually envelop them, creating unique ecosystems. Wrecks also
There’s also the tempting prospect of exploration and discovery. Each sunken ship has its own fascinating backstory, and entering one feels like discovering a time capsule. Exploring its corridors and peering into cabins takes you back in time and makes it easier to envision what life was like on board before the vessel’s demise, allowing the divers to immerse themselves in history.
And, of course, there’s the technical challenge. Penetrating wrecks through tight spaces and restricted openings adds another layer of skill and complexity in comparison to regular reef dives, making it an ideal activity and the perfect test for more advanced divers.
DO YOU KNOW? It is believed that there are as many as 10,000 shipwrecks in North America.
Diving Conditions in Gozo
Now coming to diving in Gozo, why is it so appealing for divers? Well, one of the reasons is the deep, pristine waters with excellent visibility. Currents and weathering processes maintain the water clarity for wreck diving. Visibility up to 40 meters is normal there, allowing divers to appreciate even the most enormous sunken vessels.
Safety is a major concern for many when going for such activities, the calm seas around Gozo also ensure easy access and safe conditions around the many wrecks. Multiple dive centers on the island offer guided wreck diving trips catering to all experience levels, be it an experienced diver or someone on their first underwater experience. With an abundance of sites and professional guides, exceptional wreck dives can be easily arranged.
Gozo’s Unique Wrecks
You will find various fascinating wrecks from different eras, including warships dating back to World War II, and centuries-old cargo vessels that plied Mediterranean trade routes. Even local fishing trawlers and ferries that met their fate on the island’s shores become artificial reefs.
Some noteworthy highlights of this place are:
The Um El Faroud: This gigantic oil tanker was intentionally sunk in 1998 and is lying in just 18 meters of water. The scale of the 120-meter wreck is jaw-dropping.
The Karwela: The Karwela ferryboat was sunk after an explosion and now sits at 35 meters adorned in coral.
The Xlendi: The Xlendi wreck was a car ferry, intentionally scuttled in 1999 to create an artificial reef for divers. It lies at a depth of around 40 meters.
The Cominoland: The MV Cominoland was supposed to be a passenger ferry before being scuttled intentionally for diving purposes. It now lies in Cirkewwa.
The P29 Patrol Boat: Scuttled in the 2000s, this boat is now home to various fishes.
The Xrob l-Għaġin: This is a result of a broken-up cargo shipwreck from the 1870s.
World War Wrecks
If you have a keen interest in both history and the ocean, Gozo is the place for you. Its WWII shipwrecks offer a compelling look into the war’s impact on the region. Since Gozo is in close proximity to the crucial supply lines across the Mediterranean, the area saw intense naval activity from 1939 to 1945.
Each wreck offers a look into this volatile period in the Mediterranean, made even more vivid by the crystal-clear underwater conditions. HMS St. Angelo, a WWII mine sweeper that hit a mine and sank in 1942 is a notable example. The wreck sits at a depth of around 54 meters and is now accessible to technical divers.
Additionally, you can also find several WWII-era plane wrecks around the Maltese islands, including Gozo. These wrecks, such as the Junkers Ju 88 and the B-24 Liberator, provide an intriguing glimpse into the history of aerial warfare during the war.
DO YOU KNOW? As of 2025, the diving tourism market is worth $5.21 billion, it is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.0% and reach $6.34 billion by 2029.
Beyond Wreck Diving
While Gozo’s shipwrecks are the star attraction, that is not all, the island offers much more for visiting divers. There are breathtaking reef dives along the shores that have plenty of caves, canyons, and underwater cliffs to explore. Offshore pinnacles and underwater arches are also stunning sites for diving.
Since Gozo is home to a variety of unique shipwrecks from various eras, superb diving conditions, and an abundance of history and charm above the waves, it is not shocking that this place is a top spot on many wreck diver’s must-do list.
The convenience, quality, and variety of diving here, all together, make it an extraordinary destination for underwater exploration enthusiasts. So, what are you waiting for, make a plan today to experience Gozo’s fascinating sunken stories for yourself!
