MT Hephaestus
The MT Hephaestus wreck, situated off the coast of Xatt l-Ahmar in Gozo, Malta, presents an intriguing dive site for divers. The ship found its final resting place on the seabed at a depth of 46 metres after running aground off Qawra Point during a heavy storm on February 10, 2018.
The site offers a blend of adventurous diving experiences, featuring a significant depth range of 35 – 47 metres.
The dive offers a glimpse into the ship’s structure, where divers can explore the engine room and observe the machinery left undisturbed. The area around the wreck attracts a variety of marine life, including species like barracuda, grouper, moray, octopus, and stingray, enhancing the underwater experience.

MV Karwela wreck
The MV Karwela wreck, located off the south coast of Gozo, Malta, is a popular dive site known for its rich history and unique underwater structure. Originally launched in 1957 as the MS Frisia II, the vessel was later renamed to MV Karwela after being transferred to Malta in 1986 by Comino Marina Ltd. It served as a passenger ferry, transporting tourists around the Maltese islands until 2002.
The Karwela wreck was intentionally scuttled in August 2006 along with the MV Cominoland as part of an artificial reef project for scuba divers. The wreck lies at a depth of 42 metres, immediately in front of the kitting-up area at Xatt L-Aħmar. It is known for its impressive size, measuring 50.31 metres in length and 8.50 metres in width.
The Karwela wreck is celebrated for its several open passageways and swim-throughs, making it a safe and fascinating site for penetration diving. The wreck is populated with algae, marine invertebrates, and sea firs along the rails, which attract nudibranchs. Large spiral tube worms are also common in the area, and divers might spot sea horses. Inside the wreck, divers can explore the wooden deck, steel staircase, bridge, and ship’s bow, which are all photogenic and illuminated by natural light through windows.

Fessej Rock
Fessej Rock, also known as Black Rock or Skoll tal-Fessej, is a notable dive site located near Gozo. This prominent geological feature rises about 15 metres above the water level and is situated approximately 350 metres southeast of Il-Kantra. It’s known for its dark and imposing appearance.
The diving experience at Fessej Rock typically involves circumnavigating the rock along a wall, which is dominated by huge boulders and interesting swim-throughs. This offers a unique underwater landscape for divers to explore.
The marine life around Fessej Rock is diverse and includes species such as dusky groupers, barracudas, black squat lobsters, amberjacks, tube worms, lobsters, common octopuses, tunas, dentex, and saddled breams.