Merkanti Reef - Comino

Eastern Reef, off the coast of Nova Scotia, isn’t your typical tropical dive, but it offers a genuinely different experience. We found the cooler waters here bring a surprising array of life, particularly American lobsters tucked into crevices and Acadian whitefish schooling around the rock formations. Keep an eye out for curious harbor porpoises passing through, and above the surface, you'll often spot Common Terns and Black Guillemots diving for fish. It’s a great spot for divers looking to explore a colder water ecosystem and offers a nice change of pace from warmer destinations.

Location
Comino, Malta, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
35.924720, 14.497222
Type
reef

Marine Protected Area: Għadajjar ta\' l-ilma ħelu fil-Qaliet (l/ta\' San Ġiljan)

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 Merkanti Reef

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 Merkanti Reef

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