HMS Russell - Comino

The HMS Kashmir is, for us, one of the real heavyweight wrecks of the Mediterranean. Forget those little fishing boats often labelled as wrecks; this is a proper destroyer, sunk in 1941, and it feels every bit its history. We love that it’s still largely intact, lying on its side, making for some truly atmospheric diving. You’ll spend most of your bottom time circling its immense structure, spotting the gun turrets and what’s left of the bridge. The sheer scale is impressive, and the way the light filters through the superstructure is genuinely beautiful, especially on a sunny morning. While it’s not exactly teeming with macro life, we often encounter the resident loggerhead turtle cruising around the stern – a majestic sight against the grey steel. The wreck does lie deep, so this is definitely one for experienced divers comfortable with extended bottom times and good buoyancy. Current can be a factor here too, sometimes quite strong, so pick your day. Our favourite time to dive it is early, before the winds pick up, when the water is often at its clearest. It’s a dive that sticks with you, a poignant reminder of history resting on the seabed.

Location
Comino, Malta, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
35.900000, 14.600000
Type
wreck

Marine Protected Area: Irdumijiet Ta\' Madwar Il-Kosta mill-Ponta tal-Miġnuna sal-Bajja ta\' San Tumas f\' Wied il-Għajn

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 HMS Russell

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 HMS Russell

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