Depth
0m
Off Gozo · Technical · 70m

Hawker Hurricane

A Hawker Hurricane fighter resting at 70m off the coast of Gozo, discovered in 2021 during underwater survey operations. The Hurricane was the RAF's most numerous fighter during the Battle of Britain and during the Siege of Malta, where more Hurricanes defended the island than any other type. This example was lost during operations over the Maltese Islands and remained undiscovered for nearly 80 years.

36°03.744'N · 14°19.590'E  |  Off Gozo (approx)

70m
Max Depth
70m
Min Depth
2021
Discovered
20-30m
Visibility
XR Trimix
Cert
17-27°C
Temp
Book This Dive Dive Conditions
70m
Max Depth
Trimix
Level
20-30m
Avg Visibility
Boat
Entry Type
Summer
Best Season
2021
Discovered
Site Profile
  • 1941-42 RAF Hurricanes bore the primary burden of Malta's aerial defence from mid-1940 onward. Over 400 Hurricanes were shipped to Malta during the Siege, many from aircraft carriers. Losses were severe, and many aircraft were lost over the sea during combat or while returning from operations.
  • Post-war This Hurricane entered the water and was covered by sediment, remaining undisturbed for nearly eight decades.
  • 2021 Discovered during systematic offshore survey operations around Gozo. The discovery was announced as part of an ongoing programme to document Malta and Gozo's significant underwater aviation heritage.
  • Today At 70m on sandy seabed off Gozo. The airframe condition is not fully published, but characteristic Hurricane features including the elliptical wing plan and broad undercarriage bay are expected to be identifiable.

Malta's Hurricanes were the island's primary air defence for two years before Spitfires arrived in numbers in 1942. Finding one intact at 70m off Gozo adds a significant new chapter to the Siege of Malta's dive story. The site is a natural complement to the Spitfire Mk Vc in the same Gozo area for a two-aircraft technical dive day.

Depth Profile / Hawker Hurricane / 70m
SURFACE 20m 45m 70m 70m SANDY SEABED HAWKER HURRICANE · GOZO · 70M
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.

Dogtooth Grouper underwater Malta 10–200m
Bony Fish

Dogtooth Grouper

Epinephelus caninus
Atlantic Wreckfish underwater Malta 50–400m
Bony Fish

Atlantic Wreckfish

Polyprion americanus
Greater Amberjack underwater Malta 20–70m
Bony Fish

Greater Amberjack

Seriola dumerili
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
Red Coral underwater Malta 10–300m
Cnidarians

Red Coral

Corallium rubrum
Mediterranean Feather Star underwater Malta 0–200m
Echinoderms

Mediterranean Feather Star

Antedon mediterranea
Dive Conditions

When to dive the Hurricane

PeriodWater TempVisibilityConditions
Jan-Mar15°C15-25mWinter conditions limit boat operations
Apr-Jun20°C22-30mGood
Jul-Sep27°C25-30mBest
Oct-Dec22°C18-25mGood
Summer
90%
Winter
70%

Currents

Open water off northwest Gozo. Variable. Assess on the day from the surface before descent. Strong current can make a GPS descent and controlled ascent significantly more demanding at 70m.

Entry / Exit

Boat only. GPS descent to the site. Blue-water descent with reference line where possible. No shore entry option exists for this depth and location.

Equipment Notes

Full technical configuration. Trimix 21/35 or appropriate blend for 70m. Stage cylinder for decompression gas. 7mm wetsuit or drysuit. DSMB and reel mandatory. Redundant dive computers.

Dive Briefing

Safety and planning

Trimix Required

70m on air is unacceptable. Oxygen partial pressure on air at 70m is lethal. XR Trimix certification is mandatory for this dive. No exceptions.

Mandatory

Decompression

A full decompression schedule is required at 70m. There is no recreational no-decompression limit at this depth. Plan your decompression stops and gas volumes before entering the water.

Mandatory

DSMB

Mandatory for all divers. Blue-water ascent off Gozo requires a DSMB deployed at depth for surface support visibility. Reel minimum 30m.

Mandatory

New Site - Verify Conditions

This is a recently discovered site (2021). Conditions and exact position may vary from published GPS data. Be prepared to navigate and abort if site is not located within planned bottom time.

Caution

Aviation Heritage

Aircraft wrecks are protected under Maltese heritage law. Observe and photograph only. Do not touch or disturb any part of the wreck. The law applies equally to visiting divers and residents.

Legal Requirement

Emergency

Mater Dei Hospital hyperbaric chamber, Malta. Carry emergency contact details on all dives. Pre-dive notification of surface contact with site details and planned bottom time is recommended.

Carry Details
Book This Dive

Dive the Hurricane with diveshack

diveshack operates guided technical dive operations to the Hawker Hurricane off Gozo. Boat departure from Gozo with full pre-dive briefing, site GPS, and surface support. Maximum group sizes are kept small to maintain safety standards at this depth. Contact diveshack to confirm your Trimix qualifications and plan your dive date.

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Book this dive as part of a technical package:

Pair this dive with the Spitfire Mk Vc for a two-aircraft technical dive day off Gozo.