Wreck of Saint Michael
Protected Area
Irdumijiet Ta\' Madwar Il-Kosta mill-Ponta tal-Miġnuna sal-Bajja ta\' San Tumas f\' Wied il-Għajn
Why dive here
Wreck of Saint Michael is a wreck dive where divers can encounter dolphins, ocean sunfish (mola mola) and sea turtles. Water ranges 16-28°C, warmest July, August, September.
We love the Wreck of Saint Michael because it’s a proper dive into history, not just another submerged boat. This isn't some purpose-sunk reef; she was a patrol boat, scuttled deliberately in 1998, and you feel that sense of purpose when you descend. Dropping down, you’ll find her mostly intact, resting upright on a sandy bottom. The wheelhouse is still there, allowing a swim-through that always gives us a shiver, imagining the crew on deck. She's not huge, but there's enough to explore for a good 45 minutes, especially if you take your time examining the nooks and crannies. Over the years, the wreck has become home to plenty of creatures. We’ve seen painted combers darting in and out of the metalwork, and often spot black gobies peeking from crevices. Keep an eye out for abalone clinging to the hull – they’re surprisingly camouflaged. Visibility here is typically excellent, often reaching 30 metres, which really lets you appreciate the scale and the light filtering through the Mediterranean tapeweed that grows around her. It’s a comfortable dive for anyone with Open Water certification and a few dives under their belt.
Safety Notes
Wreck site - avoid penetration without wreck diving certification. Watch for sharp metal and entanglement hazards.
Wreck of Saint Michael Wreck History
Year Sunk
1998
Vessel Type
tugboat
Cause
scuttled
The Saint Michael is one of a pair of tugboats intentionally scuttled off the coast of Comino in 1998 to create an artificial reef and a new point of interest for divers. Before its final journey to the seabed, the Saint Michael served as a passenger launch and tugboat, a workhorse of Malta's busy harbors. Alongside its sister vessel, the MV Xlendi, it was prepared and sunk at a site chosen for its clear waters and accessibility.
Resting upright on a sandy bottom at a depth of around 22 meters, the Saint Michael is a fantastic and manageable wreck dive. While the MV Xlendi, which was sunk nearby, has since succumbed to the sea and broken apart, the Saint Michael remains largely intact. Divers can explore its open decks, peer into the wheelhouse, and navigate the easy swim-throughs in its structure. The wreck has been thoroughly colonized by marine life, including damselfish, moray eels, and occasionally octopus, making it a lively and photogenic site perfect for both newly certified wreck divers and seasoned veterans.
Nearest Dive Centres to Wreck of Saint Michael
Dive shops near Wreck of Saint Michael
Dive Med
MALTA BLUE DIVING
Aquamarina
Dive Systems
SCUBA MALTA
Cresta Diving Center
Reviews for Wreck of Saint Michael
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Wreck of Saint Michael
Wreck of Saint Michael Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Wreck of Saint Michael, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU) - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (35.92, 14.5) (0km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
24°C
75°F · Range: 22.1–26.4°C
Current Speed
2.24 cm/s
Direction: SE (116.6°)
Salinity
37.95 PSU
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data + Copernicus Marine (EU)
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