Discover Ocean Depths of Malta

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Not just an idyllic island in the Mediterranean, Malta’s best kept secret is the European history which unveils itself on descending the ocean’s depths, where shipwrecks and treasures reveal themselves.

When to go

May - September

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A popular yachting destination, Malta offers everything you would expect from a far-flung tropical escape. However, only a stone’s throw away from home, this paradisal island is a world-renowned, European treasure. This Pelorus itinerary will take guests looking for adventure, on a once-in-a-lifetime journey around the islands of Malta and Gozo, visiting recently discovered shipwrecks and natural spectacles before unwinding on board your luxury yacht, under the evening Maltese sun.

To make the most of this underwater world, opt to charter a support vessel alongside your yacht as a base for operations, or if your yacht allows, you can charter a submarine with the required crew for this deep-sea adventure. A fascinating adventure for the avid historians amongst you, you will dive to depths of up to 130 meters with family and friends and the expertise of a professional pilot. Lay your eyes upon remnants of world war history where various warships found their final resting place all from the comfort of a submersible.

The dives can take place interspersed throughout a one or two week-long itinerary, or you can take the opportunity to add a few days on to the end of your trip for this experience. Pelorus recommends allowing at least four days to ensure your entire family or group of friends has the chance to witness a number of different wreck sites. There are up to nine shipwrecks and eight plane wrecks at depths varying from 40 to 130 metres that Pelorus suggests choosing from for this 4-day add-on experience, each with their own unique story and all accessible from Malta’s capital, Valetta.

Lying at a depth of 57m, uncover the fascinating 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.

Two sleek yachts anchored near a rocky shoreline, surrounded by clear turquoise waters. The view is aerial, showcasing the vibrant contrast between the boats and the sea.

Aerial view of a coastal city at sunset, highlighting a peninsula surrounded by blue waters, dotted with boats. The cityscape features a mix of modern buildings and green spaces, with rocky shores and waves crashing near the land.

A serene coastline with rocky formations and clear turquoise waters. A single sailboat is anchored near the shore, surrounded by small islands and gentle waves. In the distance, a tower overlooks the landscape.

A bright yellow speedboat navigates through deep blue water, creating ripples around it. Two people are seated inside the boat, enjoying their time on the water.

A diver explores a sunken tugboat covered in marine life and coral, partially submerged in clear blue water. Bubbles rise around the diver as they navigate the underwater scene.

A narrow stone alleyway lined with potted plants, leading down to a blue body of water in the distance. Sunlight illuminates the scene, highlighting the historic buildings on either side.

A submersible is being lowered into clear blue water from a research vessel named Scheveningen. Crew members can be seen preparing for the dive, with a bright sky overhead.

A scenic view of a hillside town with historic buildings, including a church with twin towers and a red dome, surrounded by greenery and a winding road. Clear blue sky overhead.

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 in 1916 whilst trying to save the surviving crew members of HMS Nasturtium and sank at the site in just seven minutes taking si members of her crew down with her.

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. Uncover Polynesian SS, a passenger ship that was torpedoed and sunk by a German submarine in 1918 and that rested, undiscovered, on the seafloor for nearly 100 years.

A scuba diver explores a colorful shipwreck structure covered in marine growth, surrounded by sandy ocean floor and clear blue water.

Sunken aircraft 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.