Deliberate Wreck · Penetration · North Malta

P29 Minesweeper
52m of intact warship at 34m

Name: Guided Dive
Brand: diveshack

A 52-metre ex-Malta Armed Forces patrol boat, East German built in 1969, deliberately scuttled on 14 August 2007 off Cirkewwa. She sits perfectly upright on a sandy seabed at 34 metres. Bridge, wheelhouse, machine guns and multiple interior sections are fully open for penetration. Mediterranean wreck diving at its most accessible.

35°59'19"N · 14°19'34"E | Cirkewwa, NW Malta

34m

Max Depth

22m

Min Depth

52m

Vessel Length

20–30m

Visibility

AOW

Min Cert

2007

Scuttled

Site Profile

History & Background

1969

Built in East Germany as the Boltenhagen, a Kondor-class minesweeper constructed for service use. She was one of a series that would later be acquired by the Malta Armed Forces.
1970s

Entered service with the Armed Forces of Malta as the P29, forming part of a trio alongside sister vessels P30 and P31. Used for patrol and maritime security duties in Maltese waters.
2007

Decommissioned and deliberately scuttled on 14 August 2007 off Cirkewwa, approximately 150 metres offshore. She was prepared for diving before sinking: superstructure openings were cut, the hull cleaned, and access points created for safe penetration.
Today

The P29 rests perfectly upright on a sandy seabed at 34 metres. Octopus, scorpionfish, and bream have taken up residence in the interior spaces. Visibility at Cirkewwa regularly exceeds 25 metres, making this one of Malta's most photogenic wreck dives.

The P29 sits upright on a sandy plateau off Cirkewwa at 35.9885°N, 14.3261°E, approximately 150 metres from shore. At 52 metres in length she is the largest deliberately scuttled warship in Maltese waters. The shallowest point of the wreck reaches 22 metres (the original mast broke around 2022), putting the upper superstructure within reach of Advanced Open Water divers. The wheelhouse, bridge and several interior compartments have been opened for penetration. Machine guns remain in place, making the P29 a unique military wreck experience in the Mediterranean.

Points of Interest

P29 Minesweeper: what to explore

Bridge and wheelhouse of the P29 minesweeper wreck, Cirkewwa Malta

18 – 26m

Bridge & Wheelhouse

The wheelhouse and bridge structure are intact and fully accessible. Original instrumentation is still visible inside. A torch reveals the detail in the dim interior. Resident scorpionfish have claimed the corners as their own.

Machine gun on the deck of the P29 patrol boat wreck, Malta

22 – 28m

Machine Guns

The P29 retains her deck-mounted machine guns, a rare feature on any accessible wreck in the Mediterranean. Both forward and aft gun positions are photogenic and sit in excellent ambient light at mid-water depth.

20 – 30m

Interior Penetration

Multiple interior compartments were opened during the scuttling preparation. The passages are spacious and well lit by natural light from hatches above. A good torch and an established guide are recommended before entering any enclosed section.

Bow of the P29 minesweeper at maximum depth, Cirkewwa

30 – 34m

Bow at Depth

The bow sits at maximum depth on the sandy seabed at 34 metres. Bottom time at this depth on air is limited, so plan the bow section first in your dive profile. The silhouette of the full hull from bow to stern is the definitive P29 photograph.

Diving Conditions

When to dive the P29

Season	Conditions	Temp	Vis	Rating
Jan – Mar	Exposed to northwesterly swell. Diveable on calm days; check conditions before travelling north.	14–16°C	20–30m	Fair
Apr – Jun	Conditions improve significantly. Sea state settles and visibility climbs. A good time to dive before summer crowds arrive.	17–22°C	25–30m	Good
Jul – Sep	Peak season. Flat calm sea, warm water and maximum visibility. Ideal for photography and multiple dives.	24–28°C	25–35m	Peak
Oct – Dec	Water remains warm through October. Autumn sees the return of larger pelagic species. November onwards brings rougher periods.	19–24°C	20–30m	Good

Summer

30m

Winter

20m

Currents

Cirkewwa generally has minimal current. Occasional light drift along the reef wall can be used to extend your dive. Check conditions with the diveshack team before entry on days following northwesterly weather.

Entry / Exit

Shore entry from Cirkewwa car park steps. Large stride entry from flat rock platform. The wreck is approximately 150 metres from shore; surface swim before descent. Exit is straightforward in calm conditions.

Equipment Notes

5mm wetsuit sufficient May to November; 7mm recommended December to April. A primary torch is required for interior penetration. Carry an SMB for ascent and a dive computer for depth management at 34m.

Dive Briefing

Safety and planning

Advanced OW Required

Certification

Advanced Open Water certification is the minimum requirement. The maximum depth of 34m is at the limit of recreational diving on air. All divers must carry and be proficient with an SMB before entry.

Depth Management

Bottom Time at 34m

On air, no-deco bottom time at 34m is approximately 14 minutes. Plan your deepest section first, ascend to shallower areas of the wreck as the dive progresses, and allow a 3-minute safety stop at 5 metres before surfacing.

Penetration Rules

Interior Access

Only enter interior spaces with a primary torch and a certified guide. Silt disturbance in enclosed areas reduces visibility rapidly. Never exceed your training level. First-time penetration divers should request a guided briefing before entry.

Navigation

150m Shore Swim

The wreck sits approximately 150 metres from the entry point. Surface swim out on the surface using a compass bearing, then descend on the buoy line. Maintain wreck orientation throughout the dive; the bow points northwest.

Marine Life

Resident Species

The P29 hosts scorpionfish in camouflaged positions throughout the wreck. Do not touch any surface without checking carefully. Octopus inhabit recesses in the hull. Maintain good buoyancy to avoid contact with the structure.

Conditions Check

Pre-Dive Assessment

Cirkewwa is exposed to northwesterly weather. Site conditions can change rapidly during winter months. diveshack conducts a full conditions assessment on the morning of every dive. If conditions are unsafe, the dive is rescheduled at no charge.

Book This Dive

Dive the P29 with diveshack

diveshack runs guided dives to the P29 year-round, subject to sea conditions. Groups are kept to a maximum of five divers per guide, ensuring proper briefing and a safe penetration experience. All guides have dived the P29 extensively and know every accessible section of the wreck.

Departs Cirkewwa shore entry, NW Malta

Group Size Max 5 divers per guide

Cert. Req. Advanced Open Water minimum

Includes Guide, weights, full briefing, conditions assessment

Add-ons Nitrox fills, equipment hire, second dive combination

Book via WhatsApp Send an Enquiry

Include this site in a package:

Also dive these nearby sites:

P29 Minesweeper
52m of intact warship at 34m

History & Background