Wreck · 42m Max · Xatt l'Ahmar, Gozo

MV Karwela

A 50-metre car and passenger ferry deliberately scuttled on 12 August 2006 off Xatt l'Ahmar. Now one of Gozo's signature wreck dives, lying perfectly upright at 42 metres with its iconic interior staircase and engine room intact.

36°01'12"N · 14°17'18"E | Off Xatt l'Ahmar, Gozo

42m

Max Depth

20m

Top of Super.

50m

Hull Length

20–35m

Visibility

AOW

Min Cert

16–27°

Temp

Site Profile

History & Background

1957

Built in Germany as a car and passenger ferry for inter-island service. Originally named Carl Arp, the vessel was designed for high-frequency short-crossing operations.
1979

Transferred to Gozo Channel Company and renamed Karwela, the Maltese word for caravel. The vessel served the Malta to Gozo route reliably for over two decades, carrying vehicles and passengers across the channel.
2005

Decommissioned following the introduction of newer vessels on the Gozo Channel route. Donated to the Maltese government to serve as an artificial reef, supporting marine tourism in Gozo waters.
2006

12 August 2006: Deliberately scuttled off Xatt l'Ahmar, Gozo, on the same day as her sister ship MV Xlendi. Both vessels were cleaned and prepared under environmental supervision. MV Xlendi now lies approximately 200 metres to the northeast.
Today

Fully encrusted with marine life. Large grouper, moray eels, octopus, and sea fans colonise the superstructure and decks. One of Gozo's most visited wreck dives, accessible by boat from Mgarr Harbour year-round.

The Karwela sits perfectly upright on a sandy seabed at 42 metres, her hull immediately recognisable as a ship rather than a collapsed structure. The shallowest point is the top of the superstructure at approximately 20 metres, accessible to Advanced Open Water divers within recreational limits. The keel at 42 metres requires careful gas planning and discipline on no-decompression limits. All windows and doors were removed before scuttling to allow safe passage through corridors, the engine room, and the vehicle deck. The iconic interior staircase is the most photographed feature on the wreck, connecting the passenger decks in remarkable condition. The MV Xlendi lies 200 metres to the northeast and can be combined as a two-wreck dive with appropriate experience and gas planning.

Points of Interest

What to Explore

25 – 32m

The Staircase

The most photographed feature on the wreck. The Karwela's interior staircase descends through the passenger decks in remarkable condition, fully encrusted with sponges and framed by the ambient light filtering through the porthole openings. A torch reveals the full detail. The defining image of this dive.

34 – 38m

Engine Room

Accessible from the vehicle deck, the engine room contains the twin diesel engines in excellent condition. Sponges and sea fans colonise every surface and a resident moray eel has made the engine block its permanent territory. A primary torch is mandatory. Plan your bottom time before entering.

28 – 40m

Bow Section

The bow rises from the sandy seabed with imposing presence. The hawse pipes, anchor chain, and hull plating are heavily colonised with invertebrate life. Large grouper are reliably found patrolling the bow, and the perspective looking forward along the hull is one of the best wide-angle shots on the wreck.

20 – 26m

Foredeck

The shallowest accessible section of the wreck. Sea fans, sponges, and schools of damselfish and chromis carpet the foredeck railings and superstructure. Ideal for safety stops on ascent and for photography in natural light. The clearest views down the full length of the wreck are from this position.

Diving Conditions

When to Dive

Season	Conditions	Temp	Vis	Rating
Jan – Mar	Cold water, calm surface. Excellent visibility when weather allows. Fewer boats on site. Thermocline may be present below 20m.	15–17°C	25–30m	Good
Apr – Jun	Water warming steadily. Light movement possible along the wreck length. Good conditions from May onward. Sea temperature rises quickly through June.	17–22°C	20–28m	Good
Jul – Sep	Warmest water and best surface conditions. Peak visibility, calm seas. Busiest period for boat traffic above the wreck. Deploy SMB on ascent at all times.	24–27°C	25–35m	Peak
Oct – Dec	Very good through October. Occasional NW swell in November and December. Water clarity remains excellent. Much quieter than summer.	18–24°C	20–30m	Good

Average Visibility

Jan – Mar

27m

Apr – Jun

24m

Jul – Sep

31m

Oct – Dec

26m

Site Conditions

The Karwela is accessed by boat from Mgarr Harbour in Ghajnsielem, a short trip to the mooring buoys positioned directly above the wreck. Gozo waters are generally well-sheltered from the dominant northwest wind direction, making the site diveable on the majority of days throughout the year. Current along the wreck is typically minimal. The sandy seabed at 42 metres is undisturbed and silting inside the wreck is not a significant hazard provided buoyancy is controlled. In summer months the site receives heavy boat traffic above; always ascend on the mooring line and deploy an SMB before leaving it.

Entry & Mooring

Boat dive from Mgarr Harbour, Ghajnsielem. Mooring buoys are positioned directly above the wreck. Giant stride entry. Surface swim is short. All diveshack boat trips include a full site briefing before descent.

Current

Typically minimal to light. Occasional movement along the length of the wreck is possible. No significant upwellings. Check conditions at the surface before descent. Current rarely impacts the dive plan at this site.

Boat Traffic

Peak season brings multiple boats to the site simultaneously. Always ascend on the mooring line and deploy a surface marker buoy before leaving it. Listen for propeller noise before fully surfacing. This is non-negotiable.

Safety & Requirements

Before You Dive

Advanced OW Required

Certification

Advanced Open Water is the minimum certification for the MV Karwela. The shallowest point on the wreck is approximately 20 metres; the keel sits at 42 metres. A Deep Diver specialty or documented logged depth experience is strongly recommended for the full wreck profile. diveshack guides will assess experience before departure.

Deep Dive Warning

Depth and NDL Management

At 42 metres on air, no-decompression time is 8 to 10 minutes. Plan to spend the deepest portion at the start of the dive, then ascend progressively through the superstructure levels. A dive computer is mandatory. Do not extend bottom time at the keel chasing photos. Nitrogen narcosis is a known factor at this depth.

Penetration

Wreck Penetration

The engine room, vehicle deck corridors, and staircase are all accessible. A primary torch is mandatory for any penetration. Do not enter overhead environments without a guide familiar with the exit routes. Buoyancy must be precise to avoid silting. diveshack guides lead all penetration dives.

Gas Planning

Gas and Nitrox

Surface Air Consumption increases significantly at 42 metres. Plan a minimum turn pressure of 100 bar at maximum depth to ensure adequate gas for ascent and safety stop. Nitrox 32% extends no-decompression time at 30 metres from approximately 20 minutes to 35 minutes, and is strongly recommended. Nitrox fills are available from diveshack on request.

Marine Site

Wreck and Marine Life

Do not remove or disturb any part of the wreck structure or marine life. The Karwela has become a significant artificial reef. Do not feed fish. Avoid contact with the hull or superstructure to protect the invertebrate colonisation. A DSMB and reel are required for all divers for ascent from open water.

Emergency

Emergency Contacts

Malta's hyperbaric chamber is at Mater Dei Hospital, Msida. From Gozo, factor in the ferry crossing or arrange helicopter evacuation for serious decompression incidents. Emergency: 112. DAN Europe: +39 06 4211 5685. Nearest A&E on Gozo: Gozo General Hospital, Victoria. DAN Europe membership is strongly advised.

Book This Dive

Dive the Karwela with diveshack

We run regular guided boat dives to MV Karwela departing from Mgarr Harbour, Ghajnsielem. All trips are led by SSI-certified instructors with extensive local knowledge of the wreck layout, penetration routes, and marine life. We offer single dives and two-wreck combinations with MV Xlendi.

Departs Mgarr Harbour, Ghajnsielem, Gozo

Duration Approx. 50–60 min dive + briefing

Group Size Max 5 divers per guide

Cert. Req. Advanced Open Water or equivalent

Includes Guide, weights, boat, full briefing

Add-on Nitrox fills, MV Xlendi second dive, equipment hire

WhatsApp Us Email Us +356 9999 3483

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MV Karwela

History & Background

What You Might See

Mediterranean Moray

Conger Eel

Cuckoo Wrasse

Mediterranean Fairy Basslet

Dogtooth Grouper

European Spiny Lobster

Sponge Crab

Red Tubeworm