Depth
0m
Home/ Dive Sites/ Tower Wreck
Malta Waters · CCR / XR Trimix · 105m+

Tower Wreck
deep wreck at 105m

A deep unidentified wreck lying at over 105m in Maltese waters, managed and protected by Heritage Malta. The site's exact GPS coordinates are withheld as part of responsible heritage management. For technical divers operating at this depth, the Tower Wreck represents one of the least-dived and most historically intriguing sites in the Maltese archipelago.

Malta Waters  |  GPS coordinates managed by Heritage Malta
105m+
Max Depth
105m+
Min Depth
Unknown
Year Lost
20-30m
Visibility
CCR / XR
Cert Req.
17-27°C
Water Temp
Enquire About This Site Dive Conditions
105m+
Depth
CCR/XR
Level
Permit
Access
20-30m
Avg. Visibility
Boat
Entry Type
May-Oct
Best Season
Depth Profile

Site Information

  • Identity
    The Tower Wreck's identity has not been publicly confirmed. Its structural profile and the depth at which it rests are consistent with a vessel lost during the WWII period, though this has not been formally established. Heritage Malta continues research into the wreck's history and origin.
  • Location
    The exact GPS coordinates are held by Heritage Malta and are not published. This is standard practice for protected and unidentified heritage sites in Maltese waters, preventing unauthorised access and protecting the site from disturbance before formal recording is complete.
  • Depth
    At 105m+, the Tower Wreck is accessible only to technical divers using CCR or open-circuit XR Trimix with appropriate gas management. Bottom time at this depth is severely limited and decompression obligations are significant regardless of the platform used.
  • Access
    Access to this site requires Heritage Malta authorisation, coordinated through a licensed dive operator. diveshack holds the necessary relationships to arrange access for qualified technical expeditions. Independent diving of this site without permit is not permitted under Maltese heritage law.

The Tower Wreck is one of a cluster of deep sites off Malta that remain in various stages of research and recording by Heritage Malta and associated underwater archaeology teams. Its position at 105m places it within the CCR operational envelope and makes it one of the deepest accessible wreck dives in Malta. Pairs with the HMS Urge and HMS Olympus as part of Malta's deep heritage programme.

TOWER WRECK DEPTH PROFILE (105m+) TEC 0 28 50 105 105m+ TOWER WRECK (IDENTITY UNCONFIRMED)
Points of Interest

Tower Wreck: what is known

Tower Wreck Malta 105m deep technical dive
105m+

Structural Profile

The wreck retains structural integrity at depth. Marine encrustation is advanced given the time the vessel has been on the seabed, and the hull profile is the primary feature visible on dives. The characteristic tower structure gives the site its working name.

Heritage Malta protected wreck site 105m
105m+

Heritage Protection

Formally protected under Maltese heritage law. All artefacts in situ are protected and removal is a criminal offence. The site is actively researched by Heritage Malta. Divers visiting as part of authorised expeditions are briefed on non-disturbance protocols before descent.

Deep Malta wreck marine life 105m
105m+

Marine Life

At 105m, the wreck provides structure in an otherwise featureless seabed. Large grouper, amberjack and conger eel are typically present. The permanent darkness at this depth means that underwater lighting is essential for photography and visibility of wreck detail.

Technical CCR diving Malta deep wreck
105m+

CCR Operations

The Tower Wreck is optimally dived on closed-circuit rebreather. The depth severely limits NDL on any open-circuit configuration. CCR allows meaningful bottom time on the wreck itself rather than spending the majority of the in-water time on decompression.

Dive Site Card

Collect the card.

Tower Wreck Malta 105m dive site card
Dive Conditions

When to dive the Tower Wreck

MonthWater TempVisibilityConditions
Jan-Mar15-17°C15-25mWinter ops require settled weather window and full drysuit.
Apr-Jun17-22°C20-28mConditions improving. Good for CCR expedition planning.
Jul-Sep24-27°C22-30mPeak season. Best surface conditions and visibility.
Oct-Dec19-23°C18-25mGood through October. Weather variable November onwards.
Summer visibility
Winter visibility

Currents

Malta open water. Currents are variable. Full weather and sea state assessment required before any 100m+ operation. At this depth, even a moderate current during ascent significantly increases safety risk during decompression.

Entry / Exit

Boat dive only. GPS provided by Heritage Malta to authorised operators. No permanent mooring buoy. Dedicated surface support with tender vessel required. Divers to carry personal GPS pinger or DSMB throughout.

Equipment Notes

CCR preferred at this depth. OC XR Trimix requires stage cylinders and full deco gas strategy. Drysuit mandatory. Redundant buoyancy. Primary and backup torches. Two DSMBs per diver. DAN membership current before diving.

Dive Briefing

Safety and planning

CCR or XR Trimix Only

105m is exclusively within the CCR and XR Trimix operational envelope. No recreational or technical Nitrox diving at this site. Minimum qualification: SSI XR Full Cave or XR Trimix equivalent, or CCR equivalent certification with logged deep dives.

Permit Required

Heritage Malta access permit is mandatory. No independent access without written permit approval. Permit applications require evidence of CCR or XR Trimix certification, logged deep dive experience, and a licensed Maltese dive operator as sponsor.

Decompression Planning

Full deco schedule is required and must be calculated before entering the water. No improvised profiles. Gas reserves for extended deco in worst-case scenario must be confirmed available at the surface before descent begins.

DSMB and Signalling

Blue water ascent from 105m. Two DSMBs per diver. GPS signalling device or personal pinger recommended. Surface vessel must maintain monitoring throughout the full deco ascent. Reel and spool per diver.

Non-Disturbance

This is a protected heritage site. Do not touch, move, or remove any part of the wreck or associated artefacts. The site is under active archaeological assessment. Disturbance of any kind is a breach of permit conditions and Maltese law.

Emergency Contacts

Mater Dei Hospital hyperbaric chamber, Malta. DAN Europe emergency line confirmed before departure. Full emergency contacts and site GPS coordinates held by surface support throughout the operation.

Enquire About This Site

Access the Tower Wreck with diveshack

The Tower Wreck at 105m is accessible only through authorised Heritage Malta permit, coordinated by a licensed Maltese dive operator. diveshack manages the permit process and expedition logistics for qualified CCR and XR Trimix divers who wish to access this site.

Contact diveshack with your certification documentation and logged deep dive experience. Permit lead times and availability are confirmed on a case-by-case basis. This is not a standard charter dive.

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Relevant package for this site:

The Tower Wreck can be considered alongside the HMS Urge and HMS Olympus as part of Malta's extreme-depth heritage programme for CCR divers.