Depth
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Home/ Dive Sites/ Imperial Eagle
East Malta · Advanced · 30–42m

Imperial Eagle and
Statue of Christ

Two of Malta's most celebrated dive sites lie 30m apart off Qawra Point. The MV Imperial Eagle, a 45m car ferry scuttled in 1999, rests upright on sandy bottom at 42m with rooms and corridors open for penetration. A short underwater valley connects the wreck to the 3m Statue of Christ, standing on a natural rock amphitheatre at 35m. One mooring, one boat trip, two iconic dives.

Book This Dive Dive Conditions
30m
Min Depth
42m
Max Depth
Advanced OW
Level
20–30m
Avg. Visibility
Boat
Entry Type
Year-round
Best Season
Depth Profile

History & Background

  • 1982
    The MV Imperial Eagle, a 45-metre passenger ferry built in 1938 and previously operating tourist excursions from Bugibba, was deliberately sunk on 19 July 1999 by the Malta Tourism Authority to create an artificial reef dive site. The vessel was stripped of hazardous materials, cleaned, and positioned in 40–42m of water off St Paul's Bay.
  • 1999
    After scuttling, the Imperial Eagle settled upright on the sandy seabed at 42m with her bow pointing north-east. The highest point, the wheelhouse roof, sits at approximately 18m below the surface. The vessel was positioned to provide a multi-level dive with significant penetration opportunities.
  • Today
    The Imperial Eagle is one of Malta's most popular boat wrecks and a benchmark Tec-accessible dive. The ferry is largely intact, with multiple decks accessible for trained penetration divers. Marine life colonisation is extensive. Boat dive only from Bugibba or St Paul's Bay operators.

The Imperial Eagle sits upright on a flat sandy seabed at 42m, bow facing north-east. The wheelhouse and upper deck structures begin at 18m, making the wreck a genuine multi-level dive. The main deck runs from approximately 28m to 34m, with the engine room accessible at 38–42m. Multiple penetration routes are established and identifiable for experienced technical divers. The hull is densely colonised with encrusting sponges, tube worms, and hydroids. Resident grouper and moray hold positions throughout the wreck, and sea bream school around the upper decks. The sandy plateau around the wreck holds stingrays and occasional angelshark. Plan total dive time carefully; at 42m, bottom time is strictly limited on air. A natural multi-dive combination with the nearby MV Rozi at Cirkewwa.

IMPERIAL EAGLE DEPTH PROFILE (42m) OW ADV DEEP TEC 0m 18m 30m 40m 42m Wheelhouse 18m Keel 42m SURFACE (boat)
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.

Mediterranean Moray underwater Malta 0–100m
Bony Fish

Mediterranean Moray

Muraena helena
Conger Eel underwater Malta 5–500m
Bony Fish

Conger Eel

Conger conger
Greater Amberjack underwater Malta 20–70m
Bony Fish

Greater Amberjack

Seriola dumerili
Mediterranean Fairy Basslet underwater Malta 5–200m
Bony Fish

Mediterranean Fairy Basslet

Anthias anthias
Dogtooth Grouper underwater Malta 10–200m
Bony Fish

Dogtooth Grouper

Epinephelus caninus
Yellow Gorgonian underwater Malta 10–100m
Cnidarians

Yellow Gorgonian

Eunicella cavolini
European Spiny Lobster underwater Malta 5–80m
Crustaceans

European Spiny Lobster

Palinurus elephas
Mediterranean Feather Star underwater Malta 0–200m
Echinoderms

Mediterranean Feather Star

Antedon mediterranea
Dive Conditions

When to dive the Imperial Eagle and Statue of Christ

MonthWater TempVisibilityConditions
Jan–Mar14–16°C20–25mCalm, cold
Apr–Jun17–22°C25–30mWarming, clear
Jul–Sep25–27°C25–30mPeak season
Oct–Dec20–22°C20–25mSettling, calm
Summer visibility (Jul–Sep)
Winter visibility (Jan–Mar)

Currents

Currents at Qawra Point are typically mild and the site is sheltered from the northwest. Occasionally a gentle current runs along the wreck hull, which is beneficial for photography. diveshack monitors conditions before departure and will reschedule if sea state makes the mooring unsafe.

Entry / Exit

Boat only from Sliema. Divers enter via giant stride or back-roll and descend on the shot line to the wreck deck at 32m. The route between the Imperial Eagle and the Statue of Christ follows the underwater valley connecting both sites. Ascent is on the shot line with a 3-minute safety stop at 5m.

Equipment Notes

5mm wetsuit from June through October; 7mm recommended in winter at 42m. A torch is required for wreck penetration sections. Deploy SMB at 5m before surfacing. Dive computers are mandatory; bottom time at 42m is constrained by no-decompression limits.

Dive Briefing

Safety and planning

Certification Level Required

Advanced Open Water certification (SSI, PADI or equivalent) is required. Maximum depth on this dive is 42m. All divers must present logged experience at depth; the guide will confirm suitability before the boat departs.

Dive Planning Required

Bottom time at 42m on air is very limited. The standard plan allows approximately 15–20 minutes on the wreck before ascending along the valley to the Statue at 35m. Dive computers are mandatory. Plan your ascent before you reach your no-decompression limit.

Penetration Rules Required

Penetration of the Imperial Eagle is guided only. Do not enter rooms or corridors unless the divemaster has led you in. Always maintain a visual reference to the exit. Torch is required before entering any enclosed space inside the wreck.

Shot Line Protocol Required

Descent and ascent are on the shot line. Do not leave the line during descent. The safety stop at 5m is conducted on the line for 3 minutes minimum. The guide signals when the group should begin ascending from the statue back toward the wreck and then to the line.

SMB Deployment Required

Every diver must carry and deploy an SMB before leaving 5m. The site is in open water approximately 500m northeast of Qawra Point with passing boat traffic. The guide will confirm the surfacing signal during the pre-dive briefing.

Buddy Protocol Required

Stay within visual contact of your buddy throughout. The valley between the wreck and the statue is open water; maintain close buddy contact when navigating between the two sites. Signal before entering any wreck section and confirm your buddy is with you.

Book This Dive

Dive the Imperial Eagle with diveshack

diveshack Malta runs guided boat dives to the Imperial Eagle and Statue of Christ from Sliema. The trip covers both sites on a single dive with a diveshack-certified divemaster who knows the wreck's layout and the route to the statue. Groups are kept small and all diving equipment is provided.

Combine this dive with the Bristol Beaufighter or HMS Stubborn for a full East Malta day. See the Triple Dive package below.

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