MT Hephaestus - Gozo

The MT Hephaestus, sunk intentionally in 2022, is one of Gozo’s newer wreck dives and it’s already becoming a firm favourite. We love how quickly the local marine life has moved in, making it feel older than it is. Dropping down, you’ll see shoals of Salema and Parrotfish immediately, often joined by curious Ornate Wrasse darting in and out of the superstructure. The Hephaestus sits upright and intact, making for an interesting exploration. Our pick is swimming into the wheelhouse; light filters in through the windows, illuminating the Dusky Groupers that often shelter there. Look closely and you might spot a Mediterranean Slipper Lobster tucked into a crevice, or Scarlet Coral starting to spread across the deck plating. The engine room is also open for competent divers, a dark, atmospheric space where Painted Comber tend to lurk. This wreck really suits divers who appreciate a relatively intact vessel with plenty of swim-throughs and a rapidly developing ecosystem.

Location: Gozo, Malta, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates: 36.016773, 14.290096
Type: wreck

Marine Protected Area: Ġebla Fessej

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

Nearest Dive Centres to MT Hephaestus

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

Painted Comber (Serranus scriba) - Reef Fish
Wrasse (Coris julis) - Reef Fish
Parrotfish (Sparisoma cretense) - Reef Fish
Ornate Wrasse (Thalassoma pavo) - Reef Fish
loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)
Salema (Sarpa salpa) - Reef Fish
Garrupa (Serranus cabrilla) - Reef Fish
Dusky grouper (Epinephelus marginatus) - Reef Fish
Blue-white Dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) - Whales & Dolphins
Cowfish (Tursiops truncatus) - Whales & Dolphins
Mediterranean tapeweed (Posidonia oceanica) - Seagrass & Algae
Damsel fish (Chromis chromis) - Reef Fish
Moonfish (Mola mola) - Reef Fish
mauve stinger (Pelagia noctiluca) - Jellyfish
killer alga (Caulerpa taxifolia) - Seagrass & Algae
Scarlet Coral (Balanophyllia (Balanophyllia) europaea) - Hard Corals
Bushy Coral (Cladocora caespitosa) - Hard Corals
dogfish (Scyliorhinus canicula) - Sharks & Rays
Marbled Spinefoot (Siganus rivulatus) - Reef Fish
Red coral (Corallium rubrum) - Soft Corals

Recommended Packing List for MT Hephaestus

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