Wreck of Saint Michael - Comino

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.

Location
Comino, Malta, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
35.866000, 14.591667
Type
wreck

Wreck History - Wreck of Saint Michael

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.

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 Wreck of Saint Michael

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 Wreck of Saint Michael

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