Migra Ferha, Ghar it-Trozz, Scotscraig

Migra Ferha

Depth 15 – 60 meters

Migra Ferha, located on the southwest coast of Malta under the dramatic Dingli Cliffs and the site offers a diverse underwater landscape, characterized by a collection of car wrecks, large boulders, caves, caverns, overhangs, and an archway. The maximum depth of the site goes well beyond 60 meters, providing an exhilarating experience for those who venture here.

One of the notable features of Migra Ferha is the car graveyard, formed from vehicles dropped off the cliffs, which now serves as an artificial reef. This area is found at a depth of about 15 meters, while even more car wrecks can be located in front of a large cave at 32 meters and deeper. On the other side of the reef is a boulder area ranging from 15 to 25 meters in depth, where divers can explore the small caves and caverns along the cliff walls.

The underwater scenery at Migra Ferha is as impressive as the views above the surface, with its steep wall, great cave system with tunnels and caverns, and a mix of warm salty sea water with cold clear fresh water from nearby underwater springs. Divers can encounter a variety of marine life, including bath sponges, common octopuses, parrotfish, Mediterranean cardinalfish, and saddled bream.

Accessing Migra Ferha is a challenge in itself, requiring a descent and ascent of approximately 150 steep steps. This makes the site suitable only for very fit divers. The site is ideally dived by boat, but those choosing to dive from the shore should be prepared for a demanding trek. After the dive, it’s advisable to rest for 20-30 minutes before climbing the steps back up to avoid decompression sickness and to stay hydrated.

Ghar it-Trozz

Deep 30-70 meters

Ghar it-Trozz, located on the eastern coast of Malta, is an advanced-level dive site renowned for its impressive underwater features. This site is particularly known for its fascinating cave and cavities, walls, and rock formations, all adorned with colorful sponges and corals. The striking vertical wall of this dive site rises up to approximately 60 meters high, offering divers an awe-inspiring underwater landscape.

The site’s depth begins at around 30 meters on the northern side of the bay and can drop down to beyond 70 meters. This makes Ghar it-Trozz a destination primarily for advanced divers due to its depth and the challenging nature of its underwater terrain. The steep coastal rocks above the surface form an imposing wall that continues underwater, presenting an extraordinary sight for divers.

Marine life at Ghar it-Trozz includes species such as double-banded bream, common octopuses, slipper lobsters, saddled bream, common dolphinfish, and Mediterranean morays. The site is also well exposed to currents, surges, and swells, and diving conditions can be affected by winds, particularly from the west or northwest.

MV Scotscraig

Depth 21 meter

The MV Scotscraig, known also as Scot Craig and sometimes referred to as Popeye’s Barge, is a notable wreck dive site located in the northwest of Malta. This small British river ferry, which was later featured in the filming of the Popeye movie shot in Malta, found its final resting place at the seabed, becoming a fascinating site for scuba divers. Today, the MV Scotscraig lies at a depth of approximately 21 meters in an upright position on a seabed of sea grass, shingle, and sand, about 500 meters northwest from Anchor Bay in an inlet named Ic-Cumnija. The wreck has become an interesting site for divers, offering the opportunity to explore both above and below the main deck. Despite its breakdown, the steel hull remains relatively intact, and the ferry is home to a variety of marine life, including moray eels, conger eels, groupers, octopuses, and occasionally stingrays. Visibility at the site is variable and can be quite low in adverse weather conditions, making it a unique dive site for those interested in exploring maritime history underwater​​​​.

The Scotscraig’s shallow depth makes it an ideal dive site for all levels, including less experienced divers, and serves as a perfect location for a second boat dive. The site is home to a wide variety of marine life, including moray eels, conger eels, groupers, octopuses, and occasionally stingrays. However, divers should note that visibility at this site may not be as clear as at other locations around the Maltese islands and can significantly decrease in bad weather.

The MV Scotscraig has a rich and varied history that spans from its construction to its final days sunk near Malta. Built in 1951 by the Caledon Shipbuilding & Engineering Company in Dundee, Scotland, for the Dundee Harbour Trust, the MV Scotscraig served as a passenger and vehicle ferry, operating the Tay Ferry Service between Dundee and Newport-on-Tay in Fife. Designed to carry up to 6 cars alongside passengers across the Firth of Tay, the ferry was part of the daily life of the area, known for its punctual and reliable service.

Named after a place near Tayport in Fife, the MV Scotscraig represented a significant part of the local maritime infrastructure until 1966 when the Tay Road Bridge was opened, marking the end of the ferry service. On the opening day of the road bridge, the MV Scotscraig and her sister ship, the MV Abercraig, were sold to Malta. The MV Abercraig would eventually be scrapped, but the Scotscraig found a new lease on life in the film industry.

The ferry was utilized as a supply barge and filming vessel for the 1980 musical comedy film “Popeye,” starring Robin Williams. Shot in nearby Anchor Bay, the film’s set is still in place and has been transformed into a theme park known as Popeye Village. After the film’s production, the MV Scotscraig served as a  barge and breakwater during the construction of the concrete jetty at Anchor Bay. However, while being towed to a new location in bad weather, the Scotscraig took on water, broke its tow lines, and sank, likely in 1981.