An underwater statue of Christ, encrusted with coral and seaweed, stands with arms outstretched in the clear blue ocean.

Discover The Wrecks Of Malta

by Submarine

A picturesque coastal town nestled between towering cliffs, with vibrant turquoise waters and small boats dotting the serene scene.

Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity

Dive to depths of up to 130 meters with family and friends to explore historic wrecks from the safety and comfort of a proven Triton submersible as your entire experience is documented in a professional 4K video. Using a support vessel alongside your yacht as a base for operations, this deep-sea adventure will see you exploring recently discovered shipwrecks in the company of a professional submarine pilot with a film and photography expert on hand to capture the entire experience.

Seabed Discoveries

Your support vessel will also carry an additional submarine and pilot to accommodate your videographer as well as an ROV that will capture images and light the way. The submarine can carry out up to four dives per day so we recommend allowing at least four days for this experience to ensure your entire family or group of friends has the chance to witness a number of different wreck sites. There are up to 9 shipwrecks and 8 plane wrecks at depths varying from 40 to 130 metres that we suggest choosing from for this 4-day add-on experience, each with their own unique story and all accessible from Malta’s capital, Valetta.

Sunlight filters through the blue ocean onto the rusted remains of a shipwreck resting on the sandy seabed.

A lone diver explores the eerie depths of a sunken shipwreck teeming with small fish.

Underwater History

Lying at a depth of 57m, uncover the story of 66m British submarine HMS Stubborn. Launched in 1942, her short-lived war career saw her successfully torpedo and sink two German merchant ships off Norway in 1944, and in 1945 she was transferred to the Pacific where she sank a Japanese patrol ship. HMS Stubborn came to rest on the seabed off Malta on 30th April 1946 as she was purposely targeted as part of a submarine sonar training exercise by the Royal Navy.

Explore

Delving further back in history to World War 1, you can explore the wreck of HMY Aegusa. Built in 1896, she was purchased by Sir Thomas Lipton and renamed Erin to be used as a tender to his fleet of racing yachts. During WWI she was loaned to the Red Cross to transport doctors before being commissioned to the Royal Navy as HMS Aegusa on 3rd July 1915. She was sadly struck down by a mine on the 27th April 1916 whilst trying to save the surviving crew members of HMS Nasturtium and sank at the site in just 7 minutes, along with 6 of her crew.

A school of small fish swimming in the blue-green waters, with a sunken shipwreck visible in the background.

A diver with a flashlight explores the eerie, submerged ruins of a shipwreck.

Discover More

Other vessels that can be explored include 140m HMS Russell, one of the fastest battleships in the history of the British Navy, sunk by two mines in 1916 and now lying at a depth of 118m, or Polynesian SS, a passenger ship that was torpedoed and sunk by a German submarine in 1918 and that rested, undiscovered, on the sea floor for nearly 100 years. Sunken aircrafts that you can visit include the Bristol Beaufighter, developed during WWII as a multi-role aircraft, US patrol plane and submarine hunter Lockheed P2V Neptune or a Ju 88 German twin-engine, all metal bomber, lying deeper than all other planes in the area at 120-metres.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need any diving experience to take part?

No. The wrecks are explored from inside a Triton submersible, allowing guests to reach depths that would be inaccessible to most recreational divers while remaining comfortable and secure throughout the experience.

What makes exploring Malta's wrecks by submarine so special?

Many of these wrecks lie far deeper than conventional dive sites, allowing guests to see remarkably preserved vessels and aircraft that few people ever have the opportunity to visit.

How deep does the submarine dive?

Depending on the wreck selected, dives can reach depths of up to 130 metres. This opens up access to a fascinating collection of historic shipwrecks and aircraft resting on the seabed around Malta.

How many wreck sites can be visited during the experience?

With a variety of shipwrecks and aircraft wrecks available to explore, guests can visit multiple sites over several days. The exact itinerary can be tailored to your interests and the conditions at the time.

Will I learn about the history of the wrecks during the dive?

Yes. Each wreck has its own unique story, from Royal Navy submarines and battleships to passenger ships and wartime aircraft. Your team will provide insight into the history and significance of the sites visited.

Can family members join the experience together?

Yes. The experience is designed to be shared with family and friends, with multiple dives arranged over several days to allow different guests the opportunity to explore the wrecks.

How is the experience documented?

A professional film and photography team accompanies the expedition, capturing footage of both the submarine dives and the wrecks themselves. Guests receive a lasting record of this unique underwater adventure.

Why is Malta such an exceptional destination for wreck exploration?

Malta's strategic location at the centre of the Mediterranean has given it a rich maritime history. As a result, the surrounding waters are home to an extraordinary concentration of historic shipwrecks and aircraft spanning multiple eras.

What role does the support vessel play?

The support vessel acts as the operational base for the expedition, carrying the specialist equipment, remotely operated vehicle (ROV) and additional crew required to support each dive.

What will I remember most about the experience?

For many guests, it's the feeling of coming face-to-face with pieces of history that have lain undisturbed on the seabed for decades. Whether exploring a wartime submarine or discovering a long-lost passenger vessel, the experience offers a rare glimpse into a hidden underwater world.