Dive Site & Shipwreck - Comino

Comino’s Dive Site & Shipwreck, for us, is all about the little things. It’s not a huge wreck, but that’s its charm. We love poking around the nooks and crannies. You’ll spot ornate wrasse darting in and out of the hull’s skeletal remains, and dusky groupers often lurk in the deeper sections. The star of the show here, though, is the sheer number of elliptical file-shells. They cling to every surface, their tentacles waving in the gentle current, making the wreck feel alive in a really unique way. It’s an easy dive, perfect for a relaxed afternoon. We usually find it’s best in the late morning, when the sun is high enough to really illuminate the wreck and bring out the colours of the sunset cup coral. Keep an eye out for common octopus tucked into crevices, their eyes watching you with surprising intelligence. The site also has some pretty impressive fields of Mediterranean tapeweed, which are always swaying gently and make for a peaceful backdrop.

Location
Comino, Malta, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
36.005100, 14.336121
Type
wreck

Wreck History - Dive Site & Shipwreck

Year Sunk
2009
Vessel Type
warship
Cause
scuttled
Tonnage
361 tons

This popular Comino dive site is the wreck of the P31, a former patrol boat with a fascinating history. Originally built as a Kondor I-class minesweeper for the East German navy in the late 1960s, she was later purchased by Malta and served in the Maritime Squadron of the Armed Forces of Malta for many years. After being decommissioned, a decision was made to give her a new purpose as an underwater attraction for divers, following the success of other scuttled wrecks in the Maltese islands.

In August 2009, the P31 was carefully stripped of all hazardous materials and scuttled in a controlled sinking off the coast of Comino. She now rests perfectly upright on a clear, sandy seabed at a depth of around 18 meters, making her an ideal and accessible wreck for divers of all certification levels, including those on their first wreck dive. The vessel was prepared with diver safety in mind, with numerous entry and exit points allowing for safe and exciting penetration through its open corridors and engine room. It's a fantastic introduction to wreck diving and a vibrant home for local marine life.

Marine Protected Area: Ġebel ta\' Bejn il-Kmiemen, limiti ta\' Għajnsielem

Best Time to Dive in Comino

The warmest water temperatures in Comino occur in August, averaging 28.1°C. The coolest conditions are in March at 15.3°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 16.4°C
  • February: 15.5°C
  • March: 15.3°C
  • April: 16.2°C
  • May: 18.7°C
  • June: 22.9°C
  • July: 26.9°C
  • August: 28.1°C
  • September: 27.3°C
  • October: 24.9°C
  • November: 22.2°C
  • December: 19.3°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Comino

Nearest Dive Centres to Dive Site & Shipwreck

Marine Life in Comino

Home to 24 recorded species including 12 reef fish, 4 sharks & rays, 2 whales & dolphins, 2 seagrass & algae, 2 hard corals, 1 other.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Dive Site & Shipwreck

Based on average water temperature of 21.1°C, currents 2 cm/s.

  • Wetsuit (3-5mm) - comfortable for 21°C water
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories