Depth
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Home/ Dive Sites/ SS Le Polynesien
Marsaskala, SE Malta · Technical · 50-68m

SS Le Polynesien
WWI French Liner

A First World War French ocean liner resting at 50-68m, approximately 3 kilometres east of Marsaskala. SS Le Polynesien sank on 10 August 1918, torpedoed by German submarine SM UC-22, with the loss of approximately 20 lives. She lies at a 45-degree list on a sand slope. A Heritage Malta permit is required; Heritage Malta has managed the site from May 2019.

35°51.456'N · 14°36.306'E | 3km E of Marsaskala, SE Malta

68m
Max Depth
50m
Min Depth
~150m
Length
15-25m
Visibility
XR/TEC
Cert Required
17-27°C
Water Temp
Book This Dive Dive Conditions
50m
Min Depth
68m
Max Depth
Technical
Level
15-25m
Avg. Visibility
Boat
Entry Type
May-Oct
Best Season
Depth Profile

History & Background

War Grave: Approximately 20 lives were lost when SS Le Polynesien sank. This site is treated with full war grave respect. No artefact disturbance under any circumstances.

  • 1918
    SS Le Polynesien was a French passenger liner serving during the First World War. On 10 August 1918 she was torpedoed by German submarine SM UC-22 in Maltese waters, with the loss of approximately 20 lives. She sank to the sandy slope she rests on today.
  • Post-WWI
    The wreck lay undiscovered in deep water for decades. Malta's relatively sheltered southern waters preserved the wreck structure in good condition.
  • 2019
    Heritage Malta assumed management of the site. All diving requires a Heritage Malta permit. The liner is listed among Malta's protected underwater cultural heritage sites.
  • Today
    The wreck lies at 45 degrees on the slope. The superstructure, portholes, and hull plating are accessible at 50-60m. The keel extends to 68m.

SS Le Polynesien offers a large wreck experience at technical depth. At 150m or more in length, the liner provides multiple dive profiles across several visits. The 45-degree list gives divers access to the full hull cross-section, with portholes and superstructure elements at 50-55m and the keel at 68m. Pair with the Martin Maryland or HMS Southwold for a multi-site Marsaskala tec day.

SS LE POLYNESIEN DEPTH PROFILE (68m) 0m 10m 20m 32m 40m 50m 60m 65m Superstructure 50-55m Keel 65m
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
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
Mediterranean Feather Star underwater Malta 0–200m
Echinoderms

Mediterranean Feather Star

Antedon mediterranea
Dive Conditions

When to dive SS Le Polynesien

MonthWater TempVisibilityConditions
Jan-Mar15°C12-20mTechnical trip only, check weather
Apr-Jun20°C18-25mGood
Jul-Sep27°C20-25mBest season
Oct-Dec22°C15-22mGood
Summer visibility
Winter visibility

Currents

Generally mild in SE Malta offshore waters. Check forecast before departure. Winter months can see increased surface swell.

Entry / Exit

Boat dive only. Mooring buoy when available. Direct descent to 50m then follow the slope to deeper sections. Blue water DSMB ascent.

Equipment Notes

Twinset or sidemount. Stage cylinder strongly recommended for 65m profiles. 7mm suit year-round at depth. Full technical configuration.

Dive Briefing

Safety and planning

War Grave: Seventeen lives were lost when SS Le Polynesien sank. This site is managed as a war grave under Maltese cultural heritage law. No artefact removal or disturbance of the wreck structure is permitted.

Technical Cert Mandatory

XR Extended Range or equivalent minimum certification required. At 65m, technical gas planning with appropriate mix is required for any meaningful bottom time.

Heritage Malta Permit Required

No permit, no dive. Contact diveshack to arrange the Heritage Malta permit application. Permits must be booked in advance and cover a single visit.

War Grave Protocol 17 Lives Lost

This is a designated war grave. No artefact disturbance under any circumstances. No penetration of interior spaces. Heritage Malta rangers may be present.

Decompression Required

Full technical gas planning for 65m. Decompression dive mandatory. Agree turn pressure and ascent schedule before descending. Stage cylinder strongly recommended.

DSMB Mandatory

Blue water ascent from depth. Two DSMBs per buddy pair minimum. Deploy at agreed decompression stop depth. No fixed ascent line on this site.

Emergency Mater Dei

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

Book This Dive

Dive SS Le Polynesien with diveshack

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

diveshack manages Heritage Malta permit applications for SS Le Polynesien. Technical briefing included. All technical equipment available. The site can be paired with nearby tec sites for a multi-dive programme.

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.