ARIANNA PRIMA - Gozo

The Arianna Prima, a stern trawler with a history stretching back to 1970, lies shallow in Gozo’s waters, making it an ideal wreck for less experienced divers or those looking for a relaxed second dive. At just 7 metres deep, we love how the sunlight still filters down, illuminating the vessel's structure. You can fin slowly over the deck, spotting the remnants of fishing gear and imagining its working life. We found plenty of little nudibranchs clinging to the metal, and small groups of damselfish flitting through the superstructure. It’s not a dramatic drop-off, but the wreck creates its own ecosystem, drawing in juvenile fish seeking shelter. Our pick for this site? Take your time. Look inside the wheelhouse if you can, peer into the holds. The Arianna Prima offers a gentle introduction to wreck diving, showing how quickly a sunken vessel can become part of the underwater landscape, providing homes for marine life.

Location
Gozo, Malta, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
37.090134, 13.937966
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
7m

Wreck History - ARIANNA PRIMA

Vessel Type
fishing vessel
Cause
unknown

Built in 1970 as the Merrydale, the Arianna Prima was a hardworking stern trawler that spent decades plying the seas. After changing hands and names over its long career, the vessel eventually met its end in the clear waters off Gozo, Malta. The exact cause and date of its sinking are not well-documented, leaving an air of mystery around its final moments. Today, it sits upright on a sandy bottom at a shallow depth of just 7 meters, making it an excellent and safe dive for beginners, photographers, and anyone looking for a long, leisurely exploration. The wreck is small but intact, and its accessible structure has become a haven for a surprising amount of marine life, including octopus and moray eels seeking shelter in its nooks and crannies.

Best Time to Dive in Gozo

The warmest water temperatures in Gozo occur in August, averaging 27.7°C. The coolest conditions are in March at 15.3°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 16.4°C
  • February: 15.3°C
  • March: 15.3°C
  • April: 16.1°C
  • May: 18.5°C
  • June: 22.6°C
  • July: 26.3°C
  • August: 27.7°C
  • September: 27.1°C
  • October: 24.5°C
  • November: 22.0°C
  • December: 18.9°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Gozo

Nearest Dive Centres to ARIANNA PRIMA

Marine Life in Gozo

Home to 24 recorded species including 12 reef fish, 3 hard corals, 2 whales & dolphins, 2 seagrass & algae, 2 sharks & rays, 1 other.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for ARIANNA PRIMA

Based on average water temperature of 20.9°C, currents 9 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