Um El Faroud. 110 metres of tanker on her starboard side since 1998. Malta's most requested guided dive, flanked by the Zurrieq reef system, Ghar Lapsi cave, and a WWII aircraft at 42m.
The south coast clusters around Wied iz-Zurrieq — the inlet that holds Um El Faroud. The east and west walls of the same inlet offer separate reef dives. Ghar Lapsi cave is a short drive west. Blenheim Bomber is boat-only offshore.
Malta's largest diveable wreck. 110m oil tanker on her starboard side, colonised by marine life from bow to stern. The 18-tonne propeller at 36m is one of the most impressive single features in Mediterranean diving.
The left wall of Wied iz-Zurrieq descends from 5m to 36m, alive with large shoals, groupers, moray eels, cuttlefish, and flying gurnards on the sand. Same entry as Um El Faroud.
Two exceptional caves on the west wall: Bell Tower Cave at 27m with a dramatic bell-shaped chamber, and Mouse Hole Cave at 25m. A brass diving helmet statue marks the sand at 28m.
A sunlit cave running more than 40m into the cliff face with ceiling cracks that beam light down through the water. Outer reefs extend to 38m at Black John for AOW divers. Shore entry.
Bristol Blenheim Mk IV resting upright on sand at 42m. Ditched 13 December 1941 after an Italian fighter attack. Starboard engine retains a bent propeller. Boat access only.
We have dived it thousands of times since 1998. The briefing covers orientation, depth milestones, the best penetration sections, and the safest exit route. A guided dive here is fundamentally different from an independent dive.
Wied iz-Zurrieq holds Um El Faroud, the east reef, and the west caves at the same entry point. A single south coast day with diveshack can cover three distinct dives without moving the car.
The south coast sites are ideal for completing the SSI Advanced Open Water course. The deep dive and wreck dive components work perfectly on Um El Faroud and the Blenheim Bomber.
Um El Faroud is Malta's largest diveable wreck — a 110-metre oil tanker lying on her starboard side in Wied iz-Zurrieq. Scuttled as a dive site in 1998. The wreck sits at 18-36m and is accessible by shore. It is Malta's most requested guided dive.
Advanced Open Water Diver is required for the full depth. The most impressive sections — the stern propeller and engine room approach — are at 30-36m. OW divers can see the upper hull from 18m. Engine room penetration requires technical certification.
The same inlet holds Zurrieq East Reef (5-36m wall, OW accessible) and Zurrieq West Reef and Caves (Bell Tower Cave and Mouse Hole Cave at 25-27m, AOW required). Three distinct dives from one entry point.
A Bristol Blenheim Mk IV that ditched on 13 December 1941 after an Italian fighter attack. All three crew survived. The aircraft rests upright at 39-42m off the southeast coast. Advanced Open Water required. Boat access only.
Yes. Ghar Lapsi's sunlit cave system is accessible from Open Water level and is one of Malta's most impressive entry-level dives. The outer Black John reef at 38m requires AOW. Shore entry is straightforward from the small bay car park.
Wied iz-Zurrieq is approximately 35-40 minutes south of Sliema by car. diveshack organises guided day trips with transport from Sliema. Um El Faroud is the most popular single-day dive destination we run.
Message us on WhatsApp with your certification and dates. Um El Faroud is our most popular single-day guided dive. Transport from Sliema included.
20 Qui Si Sana Seafront, Sliema · +356 9999 3483 · info@divemalta.com
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