Depth
0m
Benghisa Point, SE Malta · Technical Trimix · ~96m

Douglas A-1 Skyraider

A Douglas A-1 Skyraider attack aircraft lying at approximately 96m off Benghisa Point on Malta's southeastern coast. The Skyraider was a WWII-era design that remained in front-line service through the Korean and Vietnam Wars. This aircraft is classified as a Heritage Malta site requiring a permit and is accessible only to technical Trimix or CCR divers. The 96m depth pushes this to the absolute limit of conventional open-circuit technical diving.

35°47.904'N · 14°32.064'E  |  1km off Benghisa Point, SE Malta

~96m
Max Depth
~90m
Min Depth
Permit
Heritage Malta
20-30m
Visibility
Trimix/CCR
Cert
17-27°C
Temp
Book This Dive Dive Conditions
~96m
Max Depth
CCR/Trimix
Level
20-30m
Avg Visibility
Boat
Entry Type
Summer
Best Season
Permit
Heritage Malta
Site Profile
  • Post-WWII The Douglas A-1 Skyraider entered service in 1946, too late for WWII. It served through Korea and was still flying combat missions in Vietnam, giving it an unusually long service life for a piston-engine aircraft. How this aircraft came to rest off Malta is not currently documented in public records.
  • Discovery Located during systematic deep survey operations off Malta's southern coast. The site was subsequently registered with Heritage Malta.
  • Heritage Malta The site is managed by Heritage Malta. A permit is required before diving. The depth (96m) places this firmly in Trimix and CCR territory, beyond the range of recreational or standard technical divers.
  • Today At approximately 96m off Benghisa Point. The Skyraider's large Wright R-3350 radial engine and substantial all-metal airframe should be largely identifiable given the preservation properties at this depth.

At 96m the Douglas Skyraider sits at the outer edge of what open-circuit technical diving can safely reach. For CCR divers or experienced open-circuit Trimix divers, the extended bottom time possible on closed-circuit allows a proper inspection of this unusual aviation wreck. Contact diveshack to discuss permit arrangements and to assess your technical qualifications before booking.

Depth Profile / Douglas A-1 Skyraider / 96m
SURFACE 20m 50m 96m ~96m SANDY SEABED DOUGLAS A-1 SKYRAIDER · SE MALTA · 96M
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
Feather Black Coral underwater Malta 30–200m
Cnidarians

Feather Black Coral

Antipathella subpinnata
Violescent Sea Whip underwater Malta 30–200m
Cnidarians

Violescent Sea Whip

Paramuricea clavata
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 Skyraider

PeriodWater TempVisibilityConditions
Jan-Mar15°C15-25mDeep tech only, minimal operations
Apr-Jun20°C22-30mGood
Jul-Sep27°C25-30mBest season
Oct-Dec22°C18-25mGood
Summer
90%
Winter
70%

Currents

Open water off the SE tip of Malta. Variable. Surface and sub-surface currents may differ. At 96m, a current will significantly affect decompression ceiling management. Assess conditions before committing to descent.

Entry / Exit

Boat only. GPS descent. Dedicated surface support boat with trained tender and VHF radio mandatory. No solo operations at this depth under any circumstances.

Equipment Notes

CCR preferred for useful bottom time at 96m. OC Trimix with stage cylinder and travel gas for the ascent. 7mm wetsuit or drysuit. Two DSMBs, two dive computers, full bailout gas planning.

Dive Briefing

Safety and planning

CCR / Trimix Mandatory

96m on OC air is not survivable. This is a Trimix or CCR depth with no exceptions. Open-circuit divers must use an appropriate Trimix blend for 96m and carry sufficient stage/bailout gas for the full ascent.

Mandatory

Heritage Malta Permit Required

A Heritage Malta permit is required before diving this site. Contact diveshack well in advance to begin the permit process. Permits are dive-specific and non-transferable. Diving without a valid permit is an offence under Maltese law.

Permit Required

Decompression

Extensive decompression is required even on CCR. Full decompression schedule and bailout gas planning is mandatory. Plan total ascent time and verify gas volumes before entry. Do not shorten decompression under any circumstances.

Mandatory

Surface Support Mandatory

A dedicated surface boat with trained tender, VHF radio, and DAN emergency kit must be on the water throughout the dive. No support boat, no dive. This is non-negotiable at 96m in open water.

Mandatory

Bailout Gas

CCR divers must carry sufficient open-circuit bailout for a full ascent from 96m. A minimum of two bailout cylinders is required. Plan bailout gas volumes assuming worst-case failure at maximum depth.

Mandatory

Emergency

Mater Dei Hospital hyperbaric chamber, Malta. Pre-dive notification of the chamber duty doctor is recommended for dives of this depth. Ensure surface support has full hospital contact details and knows the dive plan before entry.

Carry Details
Book This Dive

Dive the Skyraider with diveshack

The Douglas Skyraider requires advance planning with diveshack. A Heritage Malta permit must be obtained before the dive date. Contact diveshack early to begin the permit application process and to discuss your CCR or Trimix qualifications. Boat operations depart from SE Malta with full surface support throughout the dive.

Note: Heritage Malta permit required. Allow additional lead time for permit processing. Contact diveshack before any booking attempt.

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Book this dive as part of a technical package:

Heritage Malta permit is site-specific and dive-date-specific. Allow a minimum of 2-4 weeks for permit processing. diveshack handles the permit application on your behalf.