Malta · Scuba diving
West Reef & Caves
Żurrieq’s western reef combines ledges, boulders, gullies and caves.
View place & access ↗Malta / Wied iż-Żurrieq
Um El Faroud
A former oil tanker, scuttled off Wied iż-Żurrieq in 1998.
Getting there & access ↓- Average site depth
- 20m
- Maximum site depth
- 36m
- Reference level
- Advanced
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
The wreck’s scale makes it a different outing from the nearby reefs. Discuss which external sections fit the agreed dive profile; an entry here does not include wreck penetration.
What to see
- A split tanker — The source describes two hull sections separated by a gap after storm damage.
- Tall superstructure — The bridge and funnel rise above the sandy seabed, creating different viewing depths.
- Reef-side approach — The wreck sits beside West Reef; agree which external section fits the profile.
Features and marine-life sightings depend on the agreed route and conditions.
THE WAY IN
Getting there & access
Wied iż-Żurrieq quay
Stairs or ramp, then quay; ladders may be absent in winter.
- Arrive at Wied iż-Żurrieq village above the inlet.
- Use the stairs or ramp to reach the concrete quay.
- Check the agreed exit ladder or slipway before the dive; boats share the inlet.
A named arrival area, not an exact water entry. Confirm the actual meeting point locally.
Map reference: 35.8188° N, 14.4492° E · Nearby.
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 2026-11-04