For a number of years, systematic underwater archaeological research has been conducted off the coasts of the Maltese Islands. In the course of this long-term project, important deposits of underwater cultural heritage have been discovered, mapped and studied. Such historical wreck sites range from a 2,700 year-old Phoenician shipwreck, the oldest in the central Mediterranean, to WWI battleships, and dozens of aircraft crash sites.

Recognising this responsibility, the Government of Malta created the Underwater Cultural Heritage Unit (UCHU) within Heritage Malta,  which is the national agency for the management of Malta’s cultural heritage collections, sites and museums. The UCHU has, in collaboration with the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage, been tasked with identifying a number of underwater sites so as these may be accessed by divers in a controlled and managed manner.

The setting up of underwater archaeological parks will bring a number of benefits, primarily the protection of Malta’s unequalled and precious underwater cultural resource. Moreover, the creation of new sites that can be visited by divers and through virtual reality will give added value to the diving tourism package offered by the Maltese Islands. It is envisaged that the Maltese Islands will become a market leader in the field of deep water wreck diving.

Rules & Regulations

Click here to view the list of rules and regulations. 

Details about the Historical Wreck Sites

Dive Centres

Below you will find a list of dive centres approved by Heritage Malta to sell tickets and accompany divers to the Heritage Malta wreck sites.

• Atlantis Diving Centre
• Bubbles Dive Centre
• Dive on Malta
• Dive Systems W.S. LTD
• Diveshack
• Maltaqua
• Orange Shark Diving Centre
• Seashell Dive Centre
• Starfish Diving School
• Technical Diving Malta LTD
• Water World Malta
• Divewise

Information

For more information, contact the Underwater Cultural Heritage Unit within Heritage Malta by calling on 79004141 or by sending an email to [email protected].