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Sliema · East Malta · Shore Dive · 5–25m

Tug 2 Wreck
Exiles, Sliema

A scuttled tugboat at 25m below Exiles beach. Shore access, year-round diving, Open Water cert. Scorpionfish on the deck. Moray eels in the hold. One of Malta's most accessible east-coast wreck dives.

35°55'04"N · 14°29'50"E  |  Exiles Beach, Sliema, East Malta

25m
Max Depth
Shore
Access
2013
Scuttled
15–20m
Visibility
OW+
Min Cert
14–26°
Temp
Book This Dive Dive Conditions
5m
Min Depth
25m
Max Depth
OW+
Min Cert
15–20m
Avg Visibility
Shore
Access
Year-round
Season
Dive Site Overview

The Tug 2: an accessible east-coast wreck

The Tug 2 was scuttled in 2013 below Exiles beach in Sliema, placed deliberately to create an artificial reef in an area that had otherwise been open sand. Over a decade on the seabed has changed things considerably. Scorpionfish have claimed the deck fittings. Moray eels occupy the hold. The surrounding limestone reef runs a separate dive from 5m to 15m, lined with sea bream, damselfish, and octopus in the gullies.

This is a shore dive. Entry is from Exiles beach via concrete steps cut into the rock. The surface swim to the wreck is roughly 150m. Maximum depth is 25m, putting it squarely within reach of Open Water certified divers. It is not a bucket-list site in the way that the Um El Faroud defines wreck diving Malta, but it delivers a quality, reliable dive with year-round access from Sliema. For divers who want to progress toward the deeper Malta wrecks, this is a practical first step in wreck diving from shore.

Site Profile

Background & History

  • 2013 The tugboat was deliberately scuttled below Exiles beach in Sliema by the Malta Tourism Authority, placed to create an artificial reef in an area that was otherwise open sand. The site was chosen for its accessibility from shore and proximity to Sliema's dive community.
  • Today After more than a decade on the seabed, the Tug 2 has developed a mature community of scorpionfish, moray eels, and octopus. The surrounding Posidonia seagrass meadows and Exiles reef gullies extend the dive well beyond the wreck itself.

The Tug 2 sits upright on a flat sandy bottom at 25m. The hull is intact and open for penetration. Unlike Malta's larger wrecks, this is a compact site: the tugboat itself takes around 10 minutes to circle at depth. The value is in the combination of the wreck, the adjacent limestone reef, and the seagrass meadows on the ascent. Diveshack guides the site regularly, particularly for divers who want their first wreck experience before progressing to larger targets like the MV Rozi at 36m or the Um El Faroud.

TUG 2 WRECK · EXILES DEPTH PROFILE (25m) OW ZONE ADV ZONE 0m 5m 10m 18m 22m 25m Steps Seagrass 3-8m Deck 22m Keel 25m Mast ~17m ↔ ~150m surface swim
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.

Painted Comber underwater Malta 5–150m
Bony Fish

Painted Comber

Serranus scriba
Mediterranean Moray underwater Malta 0–100m
Bony Fish

Mediterranean Moray

Muraena helena
Black Scorpionfish underwater Malta 5–60m
Bony Fish

Black Scorpionfish

Scorpaena porcus
Common Octopus underwater Malta 0–100m
Molluscs

Common Octopus

Octopus vulgaris
Peacock Worm underwater Malta 0–100m
Worms

Peacock Worm

Sabella pavonina
Sponge Crab underwater Malta 0–50m
Crustaceans

Sponge Crab

Dromia personata
European Fan Worm underwater Malta 0–120m
Worms

European Fan Worm

Sabella spallanzanii
Red Starfish underwater Malta 0–100m
Echinoderms

Red Starfish

Echinaster sepositus
Dive Conditions

When to dive the Tug 2

Period Water Temp Visibility Notes
Jan–Mar14–15°C15–20mCalm, clear water
Apr–Jun16–21°C20m+Excellent conditions
Jul–Sep24–26°C20–25mPeak season
Oct–Dec18–20°C15–20mGood, quieter site
Summer visibility (Jul–Sep)
Winter visibility (Jan–Mar)

Currents

Generally minimal at Exiles. The site sits within a relatively sheltered stretch of the northeast coast. A NE swell can create surge at the entry steps. Check conditions before entering if wind is from the north or northeast.

Entry / Exit

Concrete steps cut into the limestone at Exiles beach. Surface swim of approximately 150m to the dive position. Steps can be slippery in winter months. Exit before the swell builds if conditions deteriorate during the dive.

Equipment

3mm wetsuit July to September. 5mm or 7mm suit October to June. Torch required for wreck interior. DSMB mandatory on ascents due to boat traffic. Gloves recommended from October through April.

Dive Briefing

Safety and planning

Certification Required

Open Water minimum. The wreck base is at 25m, within the recreational limit for OW divers. Advanced Open Water is recommended for those who want more time at the deeper sections without being tight on their ascent profile.

Torch Required

A primary torch is required for safe penetration of the wreck interior. Natural light does not reach the deepest sections of the hold. A backup torch is recommended. Do not enter the wreck without a light source.

DSMB Mandatory

Mandatory on ascents. Exiles sits close to the Sliema approach channel and boat traffic is regular, particularly from spring through autumn. Deploy at the 5m safety stop minimum. A reel is recommended when ascending away from the shore line.

Maximum Depth 25m

The wreck base is at 25m. No significant diving interest at this site below that depth. Plan your profile to allow a 3-minute safety stop at 5m. Bottom time on a single cylinder is generous at this depth for most dive profiles.

Shore Entry Noted

Entry via concrete steps at Exiles beach. Assess the steps before gearing up, particularly after rain when algae growth can make the surface slippery. Buddy protocol applies from the water's edge. Surface swim before descent is approximately 150m.

Guide Recommended First Visit

The wreck is not always immediately visible on descent without local knowledge of the site position. A diveshack guide will take you directly to the structure and brief the dive profile. Strongly recommended for your first dive here.

Book This Dive

Dive the Tug 2 with diveshack

We run guided dives to the Tug 2 year-round from our base at 20 Qui Si Sana Seafront, Sliema. Groups are kept small. Your guide will brief the site, lead you to the wreck, and manage the dive profile. Equipment hire available. Book via WhatsApp or send an enquiry below.

Book via WhatsApp Call +356 9999 3483
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