Dive Site Card
Collect the card.
A Supermarine Spitfire Mk Vc resting at 70m off the coast of Gozo, confirmed discovered in 2021. The Spitfire Mk Vc was the specific variant shipped to Malta in large numbers from April 1942 onward, finally turning the air war in Malta's favour after two years of Hurricane-only defence. This aircraft is one of the very few diveable Spitfires in the world.
36°03.744'N · 14°19.590'E | Off Gozo, NW Malta
Malta holds a special place in Spitfire history. No other location in the Mediterranean saw the Spitfire fight as intensely or at such cost. Finding one preserved at 70m off Gozo connects directly with that story. At the same depth and general area as the Hawker Hurricane, both can be dived in a planned two-aircraft technical day with diveshack.
The Spitfire's hallmark elliptical wing plan. Both wings are expected to be present. The Mk Vc carried two 20mm Hispano cannon plus four .303 Brownings; the cannon ports in the leading edge are identifiable features.
The Rolls-Royce Merlin III or 45 in the Mk Vc variant. The cylinder block and reduction gear housing typically survive well underwater. The exhaust stubs along the cowling sides are visible on well-preserved wrecks of this type.
The Mk Vc Malta variant carried a bulbous Vokes air filter under the nose, the identifying modification for tropicalised Spitfires. The filter housing projects below the engine cowling and is the clearest visual distinction from standard Mk Vs.
The Spitfire tail is distinctive: small tailplane, rounded fin. If intact, this allows positive identification of the Mk variant from the tail silhouette. The rudder and elevator hinges are metal components that survive well at depth.
| Period | Water Temp | Visibility | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan-Mar | 15°C | 15-25m | Winter conditions limit boat operations |
| Apr-Jun | 20°C | 22-30m | Good |
| Jul-Sep | 27°C | 25-30m | Best |
| Oct-Dec | 22°C | 18-25m | Good |
Open water off northwest Gozo. Variable. Assess surface conditions before descent. Current direction at depth may differ from surface. Plan a downstream ascent if current is present.
Boat only. GPS descent. Blue-water descent with shot line where available. Site position is confirmed but access protocols continue to be developed. Full pre-dive briefing with diveshack required.
Full technical configuration. Trimix appropriate for 70m. Stage cylinder for decompression gas. 7mm wetsuit or drysuit. DSMB mandatory. Two dive computers minimum.
70m on air is not survivable with any reasonable bottom time. Oxygen partial pressure is dangerous above 40m on air. XR Trimix certification is mandatory for this dive. No exceptions.
MandatoryA full decompression schedule is required. Plan all decompression stops, gas volumes, and contingency gas before entry. No recreational NDL applies at 70m.
MandatoryMandatory for all divers on this site. Blue-water ascent off Gozo requires a clearly visible DSMB for surface support. Deploy at the start of your ascent from 70m.
MandatoryThe Spitfire is protected under Maltese heritage law. Observe and photograph only. Do not touch or remove any component of the aircraft. Penalties apply to all persons regardless of nationality.
Legal RequirementSite position is confirmed but access details and mooring arrangements continue to evolve. A full pre-dive briefing with diveshack is required before this dive. Do not attempt to locate the site independently.
CautionMater Dei Hospital hyperbaric chamber, Malta. Ensure surface support has hospital contact details and your dive plan before you enter the water. DAN membership recommended.
Carry Detailsdiveshack operates guided technical dive operations to the Spitfire Mk Vc off Gozo. Boat departure from Gozo with full pre-dive briefing, GPS navigation, and trained surface support. Group sizes are strictly limited for safety at this depth. Contact diveshack to confirm XR Trimix qualifications and plan your dive date.
Book this dive as part of a technical package:
Pair this dive with the Hawker Hurricane for a two-aircraft technical dive day off Gozo.