Depth
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Home/ Dive Sites/ B-24 Liberator
Marsaxlokk, SE Malta · Technical · 55-60m

B-24 Liberator
WWII Bomber, 1943

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
55m
Min Depth
60m
Max Depth
Technical
Level
20-30m
Avg. Visibility
Boat
Entry Type
May-Oct
Best Season
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. Of the ten crew members, nine survived. One crew member was lost.
  • 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.

B-24 LIBERATOR DEPTH PROFILE (60m) 0m 10m 20m 32m 40m 55m 60m 55-60m
Marine Life

What You Might See

Species commonly encountered at this site, based on depth and habitat. Click any card to read the full species guide.

Greater Amberjack underwater Malta 20–70m
Bony Fish

Greater Amberjack

Seriola dumerili
Common Dentex underwater Malta 15–200m
Bony Fish

Common Dentex

Dentex dentex
Dogtooth Grouper underwater Malta 10–200m
Bony Fish

Dogtooth Grouper

Epinephelus caninus
Violescent Sea Whip underwater Malta 30–200m
Cnidarians

Violescent Sea Whip

Paramuricea clavata
Feather Black Coral underwater Malta 30–200m
Cnidarians

Feather Black Coral

Antipathella subpinnata
Basket Star underwater Malta 15–200m
Echinoderms

Basket Star

Astrospartus mediterraneus
Mediterranean Feather Star underwater Malta 0–200m
Echinoderms

Mediterranean Feather Star

Antedon mediterranea
Red Coral underwater Malta 10–300m
Cnidarians

Red Coral

Corallium rubrum
Dive Conditions

When to dive the B-24 Liberator

MonthWater TempVisibilityConditions
Jan-Mar15°C15-25mDecompression planning required
Apr-Jun20°C20-30mGood
Jul-Sep27°C25-30mBest season
Oct-Dec22°C20-25mGood
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:

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