wreck

Log This Dive

NUOVA CARMELINA

The Nuova Carmelina is a genuinely unusual Gozo dive, mostly because it’s not really a dive at all. This shipwreck, just 5m deep, sits right at the water’s edge near Xatt l’Ahmar, making it perfect for snorkelers or very shallow divers looking to spend a long time exploring. We love how accessible it is, a proper piece of history you can just swim out to from the shore. It’s a bit of a scattered wreck, not one intact vessel, but the remains of an old cargo ship that broke up years ago. You’ll find twisted metal plates and broken beams, with sunlight dappling through the shallows. Look closely and you’ll spot a surprising amount of life hiding amongst the fragments – small damselfish flitting about, the occasional octopus tucked into a crevice, and plenty of nudibranchs if you have a keen eye. It’s a fantastic spot for macro photography without the hassle of deep diving. We’d suggest going in the early morning; the light is softer, and you often have the place to yourself before the day-trippers arrive.