Photo: Jon Borg

Marsaxlokk, SE Malta · Technical · 55-60m

B-24 Liberator
WWII Bomber, 1943

Name: Guided Tec Dive
Brand: diveshack

A WWII United States Army Air Forces Consolidated B-24 Liberator bomber resting intact on the seabed at 55-60m, 1.5 kilometres southeast of Marsaxlokk. Opened for diving in August 2020 under Heritage Malta management, the wreck lies flat on sand with both wings intact and the four engine nacelles clearly identifiable. A Heritage Malta permit is required before diving.

35°47.994'N · 14°32.982'E | 1.5km S of Marsaxlokk, SE Malta

60m

Max Depth

55m

Min Depth

1943

Year Lost

20-30m

Visibility

XR/TEC

Cert Required

17-27°C

Water Temp

Book This Dive Dive Conditions

Depth Profile

History & Background

War Grave Notice: This is a designated war grave. Divers must not remove any artefacts or disturb the wreck. Heritage Malta rangers may be present. The site is managed under Maltese cultural heritage law.

WWII 1943

The B-24 Liberator departed from a North African base on a bombing mission over Sicily or southern Italy. On the return leg the aircraft ditched off the southeastern coast of Malta under circumstances not fully documented. The crew's fate is not recorded in available sources.
2019

Located during the Malta Shipwreck Survey Project using side-scan sonar. The wreck was found intact, lying flat on the seabed at 55-60m with minimal disturbance from fishing activity.
Aug 2020

Opened for diving by Heritage Malta. All diving requires a pre-booked permit through Heritage Malta. The site is classified as a war grave.
Today

Both wings, four engine nacelles, and the fuselage are largely intact. The bomb bay doors remain in the closed position. The wreck is treated with full war grave respect.

The B-24 Liberator is one of Malta's most significant WWII aircraft dives. At 55-60m it sits in the technical depth range, requiring extended range or equivalent certification. The flat seabed setting means the full wingspan is visible on a single pass. Contact diveshack to arrange the Heritage Malta permit; the application is handled as part of the trip booking.

Points of Interest

B-24 Liberator: what to look for

57m

Fuselage

The main fuselage is intact from nose to tail. The bomb bay doors remain closed. Access to the interior is restricted under Heritage Malta regulations.

55-58m

Wing Assembly

Both wings are flat on the sand. The wingspan is substantial; allow 15-20m horizontal visibility to see the full span in one frame.

Pratt and Whitney radial engine nacelle close-up on B-24 Liberator. Photo: Jon Borg

56-60m

Engine Nacelles

All four Pratt and Whitney radial engines remain in the nacelles. Propeller blades visible on at least three of the four engines.

58m

Tail Section

The distinctive twin-tail Liberator configuration is intact. Rudder and elevator surfaces present, with marine life concentrated on the tail surfaces.

Dive Conditions

When to dive the B-24 Liberator

Month	Water Temp	Visibility	Conditions
Jan-Mar	15°C	15-25m	Decompression planning required
Apr-Jun	20°C	20-30m	Good
Jul-Sep	27°C	25-30m	Best season
Oct-Dec	22°C	20-25m	Good

Summer visibility

Winter visibility

Currents

Generally mild in SE Malta. Check forecast for the Marsaxlokk area before departure. Currents can increase in winter months.

Entry / Exit

Boat dive only. Heritage Malta mooring buoy when available. Direct descent to 55-60m. Blue water ascent on DSMB.

Equipment Notes

Twinset or sidemount. Stage cylinder recommended. 7mm suit year-round at this depth. Full technical kit mandatory.

Dive Briefing

Safety and planning

War Grave: The B-24 Liberator is a designated war grave under Maltese law. Zero tolerance for artefact disturbance or wreck penetration. Heritage Malta rangers may be present on site.

Technical Certification Mandatory

XR Extended Range or equivalent minimum. Mixed gas recommended at 60m. No recreational certification accepted at this depth.

Heritage Malta Permit Required

No permit means no dive. Contact diveshack well in advance to arrange the permit application. The permit covers a single dive only and must be pre-booked.

War Grave Protocol Mandatory

This is an active war grave. Zero tolerance for artefact disturbance or wreck penetration. Heritage Malta rangers may be present on site.

Decompression Planning Required

At 60m on air, no-decompression limits are very short. A decompression dive with full gas planning is mandatory. Agree turn pressure before descent.

DSMB Mandatory

Blue water decompression ascent. Two DSMBs per buddy pair as minimum. Deploy SMB from 6m safety stop. No fixed ascent line.

Emergency Procedures Brief First

Nearest hyperbaric chamber: Mater Dei Hospital, Malta. Contact diveshack for emergency dive contacts before departure. Emergency O2 on boat.

Book This Dive

Dive the B-24 Liberator with diveshack

Heritage Malta Permit Required: diveshack handles Heritage Malta permit applications as part of the booking process. Contact us via WhatsApp to start the permit process well before your intended dive date. Permits must be booked in advance.

diveshack manages the full Heritage Malta permit process for the B-24 Liberator dive. Technical briefing included. All technical equipment available for hire. Contact via WhatsApp to start the permit and booking process.

Book via WhatsApp Send an Enquiry

Book via the technical dive package:

Tec Dive Package

Heritage Malta permit fee applies in addition to dive package cost. diveshack handles the application on your behalf.