Mosquito, Bristol & St. Michael

Mosquito Fighter Bomber wreck

The Mosquito Fighter Bomber wreck, located near Malta, offers a unique and historically rich diving experience. Known as the De Havilland Mosquito, this British twin-engine, two-seat multipurpose aircraft primarily served as a fighter-bomber during its operational period. Remarkable for its construction, the Mosquito was predominantly made of wood, except for its aluminium tail, a feature that made it stand out among other aircraft of its era.

The wreck’s history is marked by a tragic incident on March 26, 1949, when the aircraft, during a mail run, experienced issues with its starboard engine shortly after take-off. Attempts to return to Hal Far airfield were unsuccessful, leading to its crash into the sea. Over time, the wooden parts of the Mosquito have significantly decayed, leaving behind a twisted metal frame and a mass of cables between the two intact engines. The aluminium tail is mostly buried in the sand, surrounded by miscellaneous metal parts. The starboard engine still has its propeller attached, offering a glimpse into the aircraft’s structure and design.

Divers visiting the Mosquito Fighter Bomber wreck can expect to encounter an intriguing piece of World War II history, set against a backdrop of sandy seabed and small nearby reefs. Today, the wreck lies upside down at a depth of approximately 40 meters. There are sometimes strong currents in this place.

Bristol Blenheim Bomber wreck

The Bristol Blenheim Bomber wreck offering a unique opportunity to explore a piece of World War II history. This light bomber aircraft, built by the Bristol Aeroplane Company and operated by the British Royal Air Force, met its fate during a mission to Kefalonia, Greece. On December 13 1941, it was attacked by an Italian enemy aircraft, causing damage to its port engine. The pilot had to ditch the plane in the sea near Malta, and fortunately, the crew survived with minor injuries.

Notable features of the wreck include mostly intact wings and radial engines. The starboard engine still has a bent propeller, while the port engine propeller is missing. The cockpit cover is also absent, and the rear fuselage has broken off, lying a few meters away from the main wreckage, upside down and mostly buried in sand. The sunken aircraft lies on a seabed of sand and small reefs at a depth of 39–42 meters.

The Bristol Blenheim Bomber dive site is best suited for advanced divers.It is a challenging dive site due to its depth and the occasional currents.

St. Michael wreck

The wreck of the St Michael, offers divers an enjoyable underwater exploration experience. This wreck is one of two tugs, along with the tug Tug 10, that were deliberately sunk in May 1998 to create an artificial reef and improve local diving conditions. Both vessels were cleaned prior to sinking to ensure environmental safety and to facilitate diving activities.

The St. Michael, a former tugboat in Valletta’s Grand Harbour, now lies at a maximum depth of around 22 metres, making it accessible to both novice divers and third dive after two deep dives from the boat. The wreck itself provides an excellent opportunity for penetration diving, allowing divers to explore both the upper and lower decks. Due to its location on the seabed, it is surrounded by a colourful marine ecosystem, ideal for underwater photography.

The marine life on the reef near the wreck of the St. Michael is diverse, including species such as groupers, octopus and moray eels, making each dive a unique encounter with the inhabitants of this artificial reef. The site is also sheltered from the prevailing north-westerly winds, often making it suitable for diving when other areas around Malta suffer from rough conditions.