Depth
0m
Home/ Dive Sites/ HMS Southwold
Marsaskala Bay, SE Malta · Technical · 68-73m

HMS Southwold
Hunt-Class Destroyer, 1942

HMS Southwold was a Hunt-class destroyer lost in 1942 during the Second Siege of Malta. She lies in Marsaskala Bay with her bow at 68m and stern at 73m, a long hull on a gentle slope that gives tec divers a substantial wreck to explore. The size and intact condition make this one of Malta's most impressive technical wreck dives.

35 deg 51.720'N · 14 deg 33.240'E | Marsaskala Bay, SE Malta (approx)

73m
Max Depth
68m
Min Depth
1942
Year Lost
15-25m
Visibility
XR Trimix
Cert
17-27°C
Temp
Book This Dive Dive Conditions
68m
Min Depth
73m
Max Depth
Technical
Level
15-25m
Avg Visibility
Boat
Entry Type
Jun-Sep
Best Season
Depth Profile

History & Background

  • March 1942
    HMS Southwold, a Hunt-class destroyer operating as part of the Malta convoy escort, struck a mine while operating in Maltese coastal waters during Operation MG1. The ship was badly damaged and sank.
  • Post-war
    The wreck lay undiscovered in relatively deep water off Marsaskala. The considerable depth protected the site from salvage operations and fishing net damage.
  • Discovery
    Confirmed and surveyed as part of Malta's systematic underwater archaeological programme. The intact hull and destroyer fittings make it a significant maritime heritage site.
  • Today
    Bow at 68m, stern at 73m on a sand slope. Hunt-class destroyers were approximately 85m long. Gun mounts, torpedo tube mounting points, and bridge structure are present.

HMS Southwold represents one of Malta's larger WWII destroyer wrecks at technical depth. The gentle slope from bow to stern across 8 metres of depth allows a natural multi-level dive profile. Compare with the HMS Jersey in Grand Harbour for a shallower destroyer experience, or the HMS Stubborn submarine for a different class of WWII naval vessel.

0m 20m 40m 60m 68m 73m 68m bow | 73m stern | ~85m length Scale: 4px/m
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.

Atlantic Wreckfish underwater Malta 50–400m
Bony Fish

Atlantic Wreckfish

Polyprion americanus
Dogtooth Grouper underwater Malta 10–200m
Bony Fish

Dogtooth Grouper

Epinephelus caninus
Conger Eel underwater Malta 5–500m
Bony Fish

Conger Eel

Conger conger
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
Spiny Starfish underwater Malta 0–180m
Echinoderms

Spiny Starfish

Marthasterias glacialis
Dive Conditions

When to dive HMS Southwold

MonthWater TempVisibilityConditions
Jan-Mar15°C12-20mWinter; full thermal protection required
Apr-Jun20°C18-25mGood; visibility building
Jul-Sep27°C20-28mBest season
Oct-Dec22°C15-22mGood; consistent conditions
Summer visibility
Winter visibility

Currents

Open water Marsaskala Bay. NE Malta current can run through the bay. Check forecast before departure. Surface conditions should be assessed on the day.

Entry / Exit

Boat only. The wreck slope means entry at the bow and navigation towards the stern. Agree a turn pressure before descending to prevent reaching the stern without adequate gas reserve.

Equipment Notes

Trimix strongly recommended at 70m+. Twin or sidemount configuration. Stage cylinder for decompression gas. Two DSMBs per buddy pair. Drysuit in winter.

Dive Briefing

Safety and planning

Trimix Recommended 73m max

Air narcosis is significant at 70m and beyond. Trimix or Heliox is strongly recommended for this site. Do not plan this dive on air without experienced technical guidance on narcosis management.

Decompression Full planning

Significant decompression is required at 70-73m on any breathing gas. A full stage cylinder loaded with an appropriate decompression mix is mandatory. Plan your deco schedule before entering the water.

DSMB Mandatory

Two DSMBs per buddy pair minimum. This is an open water ascent in Marsaskala Bay. Surface marking is essential for the cover boat to track diver positions during decompression stops.

Wreck Navigation Plan required

At approximately 85m long on a slope, HMS Southwold requires a navigation plan. Agree a turn pressure before descending. Return from the stern to the bow requires ascending gas and time planning from 73m.

Currents Check forecast

Open water Marsaskala Bay. NE Malta current can run through this area. Abort the dive if surface conditions deteriorate or forecast current exceeds the team's planned gas budget for the return swim.

Emergency

Mater Dei Hospital hyperbaric chamber, Valletta. Record DAN emergency number before departure. diveshack carries onboard oxygen and first aid on all technical dive operations.

Book This Dive

HMS Southwold with diveshack

diveshack runs guided technical dives to HMS Southwold with full surface cover, onboard oxygen, and pre-dive briefing on wreck navigation, gas planning, and decompression requirements. Two-diver minimum with mandatory buddy check and briefing before departure. Departures from Malta with travel time to Marsaskala Bay included.

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Technical dive package for this site:

Gas fills, stage cylinders, and Trimix/Heliox mixes available from diveshack. Discuss your gas requirements when booking.