What is the P29 wreck in Malta?

The P29 is a Maltese Navy patrol boat deliberately scuttled in 2007 in Mellieha Bay, north Malta. It sits upright at 15–35 m and is accessible from the upper section to Open Water divers, making it one of the most beginner-friendly wreck dives in the Mediterranean.

P29 wreck dive in Malta: the accessible patrol boat at Mellieha Bay

Why the P29 is the perfect first wreck dive

Wreck diving appeals to almost every diver, but many of the world’s great wrecks come with significant certification barriers — deep profiles, penetration hazards, poor visibility or demanding conditions. The P29 in Mellieha Bay is the exception. Scuttled in 2007 specifically to create an accessible dive attraction, it sits upright, at a gentle slope on a sandy bottom, with the bridge deck at 15 m and the keel at 35 m. The upper section is reachable by Open Water divers under supervision, and the full wreck profile suits Advanced Open Water divers comfortably.

The result is a wreck that works for a first-time wreck diver on a discover-scuba progression dive and for a tech diver looking for a deep second tank on the same morning. It is the most reliably diveable large wreck on the main island of Malta.

The ship’s history

The P29 is one of two Bremse-class patrol boats that served in the Armed Forces of Malta. Built in Germany in the 1960s, P29 and her sister ship P31 were used for coastal patrol and search-and-rescue operations around the Maltese archipelago for four decades. When both vessels were decommissioned in the early 2000s, the Maltese government agreed to sink them as artificial reefs and dive attractions.

P29 was scuttled in July 2007 in Mellieha Bay after being thoroughly cleaned of fuel, oil and hazardous materials. P31 was later scuttled at Cirkewwa, giving the north coast of Malta two accessible naval wrecks within 15 km of each other. The P29 sinking was attended by hundreds of divers who accompanied the vessel down on its final descent — an unusual and well-documented event in Maltese diving history.

Dive profile and depth breakdown

The P29 is approximately 50 m long. It lies on a sandy seabed with a slight list to port, the bow pointing roughly northeast. The hull is intact and shows no significant collapse or structural damage. Key depths:

Feature	Depth
Top of mast	12–13 m
Bridge deck / wheelhouse	15 m
Main deck midship	22 m
Engine room entry	28 m
Sea floor / keel	34–36 m

Upper section (12–22 m): Open Water territory

The bridge deck and wheelhouse are the photographic highlights of the P29. The wheelhouse windows are open, the helm is still in place, and the compass binnacle is visible inside. Schools of damselfish and juvenile grouper cluster around the superstructure. Morning light (before 11:00) creates shafts of sunlight through the bridge windows that make exceptional photographs.

Open Water divers with an instructor can safely explore the upper deck to 18–20 m, covering the bridge, the deck guns (removed before sinking), and the forward section. The sand around the hull is clean and visibility on the wreck typically runs 15–25 m.

Lower section (22–36 m): Advanced Open Water

From the main deck down to the keel, the profile requires an Advanced Open Water certification for independent diving. The midship section has several penetration points — vents and equipment hatches — that experienced divers explore with appropriate torches. The engine room, accessible via the aft section, is well-lit at the entry and shows the main shafts and gear train. It is a straightforward penetration for divers with a basic wreck endorsement, but always carry a guideline and two light sources.

The keel area at 35 m is where larger grouper tend to rest during the day. Several individuals of 3–4 kg have been resident on the wreck since 2010. Scorpionfish are camouflaged on the hull plating throughout.

Marine life on the P29

Eighteen years of colonisation have produced a rich community on the hull:

Grouper: multiple large individuals, particularly in the lower hull and keel. Resident fish that approach divers closely.
Moray eels: at least four resident morays visible in the engine room and midship recesses.
Scorpionfish: abundant on all horizontal surfaces — look before you put your hand down.
Octopus: regular sightings in the bridge area and lower hull. Often seen “walking” on the sand around the hull.
Cuttlefish: April to June are the best months, when cuttlefish lay eggs on the internal structures.
Damselfish and chromis: enormous schools over the upper hull, particularly in morning hours.
Bream, wrasse, cardinalfish: permanent residents in the hull and superstructure.
Nudibranchs: excellent macro subjects, particularly on the hull plating in the 20–30 m range.

Location and access

The P29 lies approximately 400 m off the east shore of Mellieha Bay, within swimming distance of the beach in calm conditions but almost always dived by RIB from the nearest dive operator.

Mellieha Bay is the largest sandy beach on Malta’s main island and is home to the Mellieha area, a popular resort town in the north of the island. Getting there:

From Sliema or St Julian’s: approximately 40–45 minutes by car or taxi. The northern highway (Triq il-Marfa) is fast and well-signposted.
By bus: Tallinja routes X1 and 221 serve Mellieha from Valletta and Sliema. Journey time 50–60 minutes. Practical for light travel (mask and fins) but not for heavy equipment bags.
From Valletta: 35 minutes by car, slightly longer by bus.

Most dive operators in the north Malta cluster (Mellieha, Bugibba, St Paul’s Bay) include the P29 in their rotation. Book via the dive operator’s website or in person at the shop — walk-in bookings are usually possible outside peak season.

Guided shore dives for certified divers in Malta

Comparing P29 with Malta’s other wrecks

If you are planning a Malta dive trip focused on wrecks, the north coast cluster is the logical base. Three wrecks are within easy reach:

P29 (Mellieha Bay): most accessible, upright, 15–35 m. Best for first wreck dives and beginners, but also interesting for experienced divers.

MV Imperial Eagle (Qawra Point, St Paul’s Bay): car ferry sunk in 1999, 20–30 m, OW accessible. Good for wide-angle photography — the hull is large and the ambient light at 20 m is generous.

Cirkewwa wrecks (MV Karwela + MV Cominoland): more demanding — 40 m to the deepest point — and located at Cirkewwa, 20 minutes further north. The Karwela has excellent penetration options for experienced divers. The Cominoland is smaller but sits upright in 30 m.

The deeper Um El Faroud on the south coast (36 m, Advanced Open Water required) rounds out the big five wreck dives of Malta. See the complete Malta diving overview for a full site-by-site comparison.

Practical tips for your P29 dive

Torches: essential for any interior exploration below 20 m. The wheelhouse and engine room have low ambient light even in midday. Carry a primary torch and a backup even if you plan to stay external.

Nitrox: many Malta dive operators offer nitrox fills. On a wreck with significant bottom time at 30–35 m, an EANx 32 mix gives you 7–10 extra minutes of no-decompression time compared to air. Worth the small premium if you want to explore the lower hull thoroughly.

Current: Mellieha Bay is sheltered and current is rarely an issue on the P29. Occasionally a thermocline appears at 20–22 m in summer, briefly reducing visibility at depth. This is aesthetic rather than hazardous.

Best time of day: early morning (08:00–10:00) for best light on the bridge deck. Afternoon dives (14:00–16:00) have higher fish activity as feeding periods begin.

Combining dives: many operators run the P29 as a morning dive and then offer a second tank at Anchor Bay or the nearby Madonna Statue site for the afternoon. This makes a complete dive day without long surface transits.

Boat dive trip for certified divers in Malta

For divers who are not yet certified

If you want to experience wreck diving in Malta but hold no certification, a try-dive programme can include a guided visit to the upper section of the P29 under one-to-one supervision. This is legal and commonly offered by north Malta dive shops. The experience gives you the bridge deck at 15 m — entirely representative of what wreck diving feels like — without requiring the full Open Water course first. Confirm with your chosen operator that P29 is on the discover-scuba programme before booking.

Discover scuba diving in clear Maltese waters

Frequently asked questions about the P29

Is the P29 open to Open Water divers?

The upper section (to 18 m under supervision, or 20 m with a qualified instructor) is accessible to Open Water divers. For the engine room and keel below 22 m, Advanced Open Water certification is required for independent diving.

How long is a P29 dive?

A single-tank dive covering the upper and mid hull typically runs 40–50 minutes. With a 15 L cylinder and good air management, a slow, methodical exploration of the whole wreck to 35 m runs 35–40 minutes of bottom time plus a 5-minute safety stop.

What is the visibility at the P29?

Typically 15–25 m in summer, 20–30 m in cooler months. Mellieha Bay is sheltered and rarely affected by wave-stirred sediment. Visibility after northerly storms can drop briefly to 8–10 m but recovers within 24–48 hours.

Can I see the P29 from the surface?

Not with the naked eye, but with a snorkelling mask in calm conditions you can see the top of the mast at 12–13 m below the surface. The wreck is marked by a dive flag buoy when a dive operation is present.

Is the P29 good for underwater photography?

Excellent. The bridge and wheelhouse make compelling wide-angle shots with good ambient light. Macro subjects are plentiful in the sponge-covered lower hull. Bring a strobo or video light for interior shots.

Photographing the P29: tips for best results

The P29 is one of the most photogenic dive sites in Malta for several reasons: the shallow depth keeps ambient light good, the wheelhouse is intact and visually distinctive, and the fish life is dense enough to populate images naturally.

Wide-angle shots: the wheelhouse from outside works best with a wide lens (10–20 mm equivalent). Position yourself 1–2 m from the window, shooting at a slight upward angle to catch the lighter surface above. Frame a grouper or school of damselfish in the foreground. Best light: morning (before 11:00).

Through the window: hovering outside and shooting through the wheelhouse window gives a distinctive perspective. The helm and binnacle visible inside frame nicely against the water column beyond. Use a moderate strobe angle to avoid forward scatter.

Macro on the hull: the sponge-covered lower hull (20–30 m) is excellent macro territory. Look specifically for:

Nudibranchs on orange sponge surface
Scorpionfish sitting motionless on encrusted hull plating
Juvenile octopus in small recesses (evenings especially)
Cuttlefish in April–June hovering over deck openings

Video tips: start with a slow pass along the upper hull from bow to stern using natural light, then switch to video light for the wheelhouse interior and lower hull. A head-mounted video light frees both hands for stability.

Combining the P29 with other Mellieha activities

Mellieha and the surrounding north Malta area offer a full day of activities beyond diving. After a morning P29 dive session (typically 08:00–12:00 including briefing, boat transit and dives), the afternoon is free.

Mellieha Bay beach: the largest sandy beach in Malta is a 10-minute walk from the Mellieha town centre. After a dive morning, the beach offers relaxed swimming in warm, shallow water — a good wind-down before lunch.

Popeye Village: 15 minutes by car from Mellieha town. The film set turned attraction is particularly good for families and adds a quirky cultural element to a north Malta day. See the Popeye Village guide.

Comino afternoon trip: several Mellieha boat operators run afternoon sailings to Comino (departing around 13:30). If you dived in the morning, waiting 3–4 hours before a snorkelling-only Comino trip is a safe surface interval. Do not do any additional diving in Comino on the same day as a P29 dive without computing your nitrogen loading.

Cirkewwa (northern tip of Malta): 20 minutes by car from Mellieha, the Cirkewwa ferry terminal area has two more wrecks (Karwela and Cominoland) for experienced divers who want a second dive site in the afternoon. These wrecks are deeper (30–40 m) — leave at least 2 hours surface interval after P29 and ensure your dive computer shows a safe second dive profile.

The Cirkewwa twin wrecks: P29’s more demanding neighbours

While the P29 is the most accessible wreck in north Malta for beginners and intermediate divers, the Cirkewwa wrecks 20 minutes north are the progression for experienced divers:

MV Karwela (1988, scuttled 2006): 60 m long, lying at 40 m maximum depth. She lists slightly to port. The hull is intact with excellent interior penetration options for wreck-endorsed divers. Strong fish life — particularly around the stern where large grouper shelter under the overhang.

MV Cominoland (barge, scuttled 2005): shorter, 30 m deep, upright on the sand. More compact and straightforward than the Karwela. Good for a second dive after the Karwela on a two-tank Cirkewwa trip.

Both Cirkewwa wrecks require Advanced Open Water minimum. For full penetration of the Karwela interior, a PADI Wreck Diver specialty is recommended. See the dive shops Malta comparison for operators who run regular Cirkewwa trips.

Seasonal diving conditions at the P29

The P29 is a year-round dive site, but conditions vary considerably across the calendar. Understanding the seasonal pattern helps you plan and set the right expectations.

January–March: the coldest months. Sea temperature drops to 14–16°C, requiring a 7 mm wetsuit or a drysuit for comfort. Visibility is typically excellent — 20–30 m or more — because the water column is well-mixed and algae growth is minimal. Dive shop schedules are reduced; book in advance even outside peak season as some operators run skeleton crew in January–February.

April–May: the best months for the P29 according to most experienced Malta divers. Temperature rising from 16°C to 21°C, visibility strong, cuttlefish active on the wreck (spawning season). The P29 in late April has cuttlefish hovering over every opening, eggs laid on the internal structures, and courting behaviour visible from outside. For underwater photographers, April–May is the standout season.

June–August: peak season. Water temperature reaches 25–27°C, making a 3 mm shorty sufficient and comfortable. Crowds increase — the P29 may have 3–4 boats on site simultaneously on summer mornings. Visibility remains good (15–20 m typically) but can be reduced near the surface by algae blooms. Jellyfish (mauve stinger, Pelagia noctiluca) appear in July–August — stinging but not dangerous; a full-length wetsuit provides complete protection.

September–October: excellent conditions and reduced crowds as European school holidays end. Water is still warm from summer (22–24°C in September, cooling to 20°C by October). Visibility often at its best of the year — the blue-water clarity of October in Mellieha Bay is exceptional. Many experienced Malta divers consider October the best month of all.

November–December: cooling water, quieter boats, strong visibility. The P29 in November is almost always dived in small groups and the absence of summer crowds makes for a more meditative experience.

Dive planning resources for the P29

Before your P29 dive, these resources are useful:

Actual depth planning: the P29’s keel is at 35 m. A no-decompression dive to 35 m on air gives you 14 minutes of bottom time at that depth (using PADI Recreational Dive Planner tables). Most divers spend the majority of the dive at 15–25 m and only visit the 35 m keel briefly, which extends total dive time considerably. A realistic P29 dive plan might be: 10 min at 35 m → ascend to 22 m for 20 min → ascend to 15 m for 10 min → 5-minute safety stop. Total dive time: approximately 45 minutes.

Nitrox planning: with EANx 32 (32% oxygen), the equivalent air depth at 35 m is 29 m (PADI nitrox formula). This gives no-decompression time at 29 m: 20 minutes, compared to 14 minutes on air — a meaningful increase for bottom-time at the keel.

Dive computer: essential. Do not rely on tables alone for multi-level dives. A dive computer properly tracking your actual depth profile will give you significantly more dive time than a single-depth table calculation.

DAN (Divers Alert Network) membership: if you are diving Malta independently, DAN Europe membership provides emergency evacuation insurance and access to hyperbaric chamber contact details (the nearest recompression chamber to Mellieha is at Mater Dei Hospital, Msida, approximately 30 minutes by road).

Last reviewed: 2026-04-20