Dive site · access from Malta & Gozo
Um El Faroud
Malta's flagship wreck.
- Depth
- 15–36m
- Current
- Mild
- Minimum level
- Advanced open water
- Access
- Boat
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The case for it
Why dive here
- 110m Libyan oil tanker scuttled off Wied iz-Zurrieq in 1998 as an artificial reef
- Broke into two sections in a 2005-2006 winter storm; deck around 20-25m, propeller at 36m
- Shore entry from Wied iz-Zurrieq, though it is a long surface swim and a deep dive
Check before booking
What may rule it out
- Advanced open water certification is the stated minimum.
Access and timing
Plan this through Malta & Gozo
Best overall months: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct. Check the destination planner for operating season, wildlife and other matching sites.
Wildlife
Seen around Malta & Gozo
rareoccasionalcommonly seenpeak seasondestination closed
These are destination-level records, not confirmed sightings at Um El Faroud.
European cuttlefish
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | occasional |
| February | occasional |
| March | commonly seen |
| April | commonly seen |
| May | commonly seen |
| June | occasional |
| July | occasional |
| August | occasional |
| September | occasional |
| October | occasional |
| November | occasional |
| December | occasional |
Mediterranean barracuda
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | occasional |
| February | occasional |
| March | occasional |
| April | occasional |
| May | occasional |
| June | commonly seen |
| July | commonly seen |
| August | commonly seen |
| September | commonly seen |
| October | commonly seen |
| November | occasional |
| December | occasional |
Greater amberjack
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | occasional |
| February | occasional |
| March | occasional |
| April | occasional |
| May | occasional |
| June | commonly seen |
| July | commonly seen |
| August | commonly seen |
| September | commonly seen |
| October | commonly seen |
| November | occasional |
| December | occasional |
Loggerhead turtle
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | rare |
| February | rare |
| March | rare |
| April | rare |
| May | rare |
| June | occasional |
| July | occasional |
| August | occasional |
| September | occasional |
| October | rare |
| November | rare |
| December | rare |
Short-snouted seahorse
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | rare |
| February | rare |
| March | rare |
| April | rare |
| May | rare |
| June | rare |
| July | rare |
| August | rare |
| September | rare |
| October | rare |
| November | rare |
| December | rare |
Nearby alternatives
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Sources & last checked
Checked July 2026
Research is source-backed, but conditions and fees should still be confirmed locally.
View 2 sources and checking notes
- Um El Faroud, Wikipedia
- Um El Faroud wreck - Wied iz-Zurrieq, Malta Dive Sites
Note on the data: Coordinates are approximate; not surveyed dive-site GPS.