Malta · Scuba diving
Tug 2
A former harbour tug that became an artificial reef off Exiles.
View place & access ↗Malta / Merkanti
Merkanti Reef
Two parallel reef formations and a canyon off St Julian’s.
Getting there & access ↓- Average site depth
- 10+m
- Maximum site depth
- 20+m
- Reference level
- Beginner
Source-reported site depths, not a recommended dive profile. “+” is open-ended. A qualification label does not qualify a diver for cave or wreck penetration.
Get to know the place
Small overhangs and crevices are the main features. A shore approach involves a longer swim or underwater navigation, so compare it with a boat-access option.
What to see
- Two parallel reef ridges
- Canyon between the ridges
- Small crevices and overhangs
Features and marine-life sightings depend on the agreed route and conditions.
THE WAY IN
Getting there & access
Merkanti shore approach, St Julian’s
Offshore reef; the shore approach involves a longer water journey.
- Locate the small bay between Westin Dragonara and Hilton Malta.
- Agree the shore entry near the reference’s Merkanti Beach Club landmark.
- Include the longer swim or underwater approach in the plan; boat access is an alternative.
A named arrival area, not an exact water entry. Confirm the actual meeting point locally.
Map reference: 35.9247° N, 14.4972° E · Exact.
Plan for the day you go
Check the current regional wind and sea outlook, then agree the entry, exit, route and required experience with a local operator. Regional forecasts do not measure cave surge, currents, visibility, water quality or closures.
Open this place in the live explorer ↗Place / operator reference ↗ · Researched 2026-11-05