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Scuba diver exploring an underwater shipwreck, capturing the mysteries beneath.
📷 Alain Margreve · Pexels

MV Karwela

3.9 — based on 16 community signals
4.3 12 species 37 contributors

MV Karwela is a wreck dive in Malta open year-round. Popular for wreck exploration with recorded marine life sightings.

⭐ Best for intermediate divers.

updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Intermediate
WreckBoatOnlyPhotoFriendly

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
intermediate
Best months
Year-round
Marine life
Great barracuda

Top operators here

See all operators ↓

Map

This spot Operators Airport Nearby spots
MV Karwela location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
Open in Google Maps

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
2.6 kn
Wave
0.32 m
Water
28.3°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: ESE (27%)
Now: SSW (193°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 0.25m

Next: High at 02:00 (-0.38m)

+-0.3 m-0.6 m
▲ 02:00 · -0.38m ▼ 06:00 · -0.39m ▲ 07:00 · -0.38m ▼ 12:00 · -0.39m
Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24Fri 25
UV2.6 · low Air PM2.56 · good 06:48 19:04
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-19 6.8 0.32 3 2mm
09-20 4.6 0.36 5 5mm
09-21 6 0.32 7 0mm
09-22 6.8 0.22 7 0mm
09-23 9.3 0.26 6 4mm
09-24 9.1 0.4 6 4mm
09-25 10.4 0.34 6 1mm

About this spot

MV Karwela is a wreck dive site in Malta accessible throughout the year. The site attracts divers interested in wreck exploration and has documented marine life presence based on 12 species observations recorded by the dive community. Three community-submitted videos provide visual reference for planning your dive. The wreck offers opportunities to observe the underwater structure and associated marine life that inhabits the site. Malta's position in the Mediterranean makes it a reliable diving destination with consistent conditions for wreck diving. The MV Karwela is outside protected marine areas, making it available for regular dive operations. Local dive operators regularly visit this site and can provide current conditions, guidance on navigation through the wreck, and briefings on what to expect. Community engagement with video documentation suggests active diver interest and accessibility for various experience levels. The site's year-round availability means you can plan a dive trip with flexibility on timing, though like all Mediterranean sites, seasonal variations in visibility and water conditions apply.

📖 Guide: Diving in Malta: 40 Sites, Wrecks & Caves Year-Round

Best months

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Marine life

Great barracuda

Dive types

WreckBoat

Trip essentials

Everything you need before you pack — checklist, sun, logistics.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 📜 C-card + dive insurance (DAN)
  • 📔 Dive logbook
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 🔌 Plug type G · 230V adapter
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌓 Moon First quarter · 47%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 2078km · ~478kg · €9

From your departure country

United States
Origin score: 77/100
  • Visa: Visa-free · 90 days max
  • Flight: 7h · direct
  • Jet-lag: 6h east · 4 days recovery

FAQ

Can I dive MV Karwela year-round?

Yes, MV Karwela is diveable year-round in Malta. Mediterranean conditions vary seasonally, so visibility and water temperature will change throughout the year. Check with local operators for current conditions before booking your dive.

What marine life might I see?

The site has 12 recorded species observations from the dive community. Review the community-submitted videos and species logs to see what divers have documented. Local operators can brief you on recent sightings.

Is MV Karwela inside a protected area?

No, MV Karwela is not within a marine protected area. This means standard dive regulations apply. Always follow local maritime rules and your dive operator's briefing.

How do I access this wreck?

MV Karwela is accessed through local Malta dive operators who know the site well. Book with an operator familiar with the wreck. Three community videos are available online showing the site from other divers' perspectives.

Operators near this spot

Dive centres, kite & surf schools within 10 km, sourced from OpenStreetMap.

Blue Waters Dive Cove

3.6 km
Dive centre

Nautic Team Gozo

6.4 km
Dive centre

Ritual Dive

6.4 km
Dive centre
Hours: Mo-Su 08:00-18:00

Dwejra Divers

9.5 km
Dive centre

Scuba Life Malta

9.6 km
Dive centre

Extra Divers Gozo

1.4 km
Dive centre

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

The Most Photographed Wreck In Malta? Exploring The MV Karwela

Dive SAGA - Scuba diving

MV Karwela 2025

Matjaž Bravc

The Ghost ship of Gozo: Diving the ICONIC MV KARWELA

SCUBRO

Local knowledge

OpenStreetMap Notes
  • "Is this path still accessible by bike? We have some reports from the RouteYou community that it is not accessible anymore."

    Kevin@RouteYou · 2026-04-22
  • "This is the staring point of the stairs. The are discussed on the POI on the other (wrong) side of the bay."

    Stephan Lengauer · 2026-03-15
  • "Extremely steep and dangerous descent towards the beach here coming from the Gozo coastal trail. There is no path and the indicated stairs are at the wrong location. Please revise."

    HenrydeVries · 2023-11-11
  • "Dieser Weg existiert nicht. Es sieht nach einer aufgelassenen Baustelle aus, der der Weg zum Opfer gefallen ist."

    Stephan Lengauer · 2026-03-12
wind peaks Jan-Mar-Dec, calmest Aug-Jul-Jun, dry Jan-Dec.

5-year monthly climate

60 samples
0 5 10 15 20 25 JFMAMJJASOND
p25–p75 range Median Wind (kn) Air (°C)

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