One of the dive sites we run here in Malta — here's the story behind it, the depth and access, and what it takes to dive it properly.
MV Karwela was built in West Germany by Jos. L. Meyer in 1957 with a steel hull, launched as Frisia II, becoming Nordpaloma in 1977 and Karwela in 1986. A 50m passenger ferry rated for up to 863 people, she was bought by Captain Morgan Cruises in 1992 and ran as a tourist vessel until 2002. The Gozo Tourism Association scuttled her at Xatt l-Ahmar on 12 August 2006 alongside the MV Cominoland to create artificial reefs. Beforehand Cassar Ship Repair removed some 18 tonnes of oil and fuel and made her safe to penetrate, and buoyancy tanks were used during sinking to ensure she landed upright (unlike the nearby Xlendi). She sits perfectly upright on sand from about 30m to 45m, bow at 39m and stern at 41m, with three decks and large openings cut along the sides of the upper two for safe exploration. Her signature feature is a photogenic internal staircase lit by portholes, descending through the ship — divers often liken her to "a tiny Titanic." Little silt means good interior visibility. She is the most dived wreck around Gozo, sitting between her sister ships; a VW Beetle once placed on her deck as a novelty has since gone. (Cominoland, scuttled the same day, lies alongside as a smaller companion wreck.)
The diving here suits divers at Decompression Procedures level. If you’re not there yet, these are the courses that get you there:
Already certified and just want to dive it? Come and explore it with me on open circuit or CCR — one relaxed dive a day, no rushing, as long in the water as you like.
Want to dive MV Karwela & Cominoland? Tell me your certification level and your dates, and I'll plan it with you. No pressure, no hard sell — just a good dive.