Bristol Beaufighter Wreck
Site Overview
The Bristol Beaufighter is a twin-engine WWII fighter that lies at about 32 m off the Valletta coast, remarkably intact with its fuselage and wings still recognisable. A favourite of advanced divers, the aircraft is encrusted with marine growth and shelters groupers, morays and bream. Its depth and occasional current make it a rewarding but technical dive best done with a guide and careful gas planning. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for Malta’s marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among Mediterranean divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for Malta’s marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among Mediterranean divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for Malta’s marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among Mediterranean divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for Malta’s marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among Mediterranean divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for Malta’s marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among Mediterranean divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for Malta’s marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among Mediterranean divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for Malta’s marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among Mediterranean divers.
Dive Briefing
"Boat to the area and descend with your guide to the aircraft at 32 m, controlling your no-decompression time. Circle the intact fuselage and wings, watching for groupers in the shadow, then begin a slow ascent with a safety stop. Monitor depth and air closely given the depth. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point."
Signature Marine Life
Dusky Grouper
Epinephelus marginatus
Best: Year-round
Mediterranean Moray
Muraena helena
Best: Year-round
Barracuda
Sphyraena viridensis
Best: Year-round
Nudibranch
Chromodorididae
Best: Year-round
Common Bream
Boops boops
Best: Year-round
Safety & Hazards
- Depth near 32 m
- Limited no-decompression time
- Moderate current
- Sharp aircraft metal
- Boat traffic in the area
- Reduced visibility after rain
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
Suited to advanced divers comfortable at 30+ m who enjoy intact aircraft wrecks and historic sites. It is a short but memorable deep dive for those with the right certification. It suits confident Mediterranean divers who value dramatic scenery, wrecks and rich marine life over tropical abundance. It suits confident Mediterranean divers who value dramatic scenery, wrecks and rich marine life over tropical abundance. It suits confident Mediterranean divers who value dramatic scenery, wrecks and rich marine life over tropical abundance. It suits confident Mediterranean divers who value dramatic scenery, wrecks and rich marine life over tropical abundance.
Quick Stats
Dive Logistics
- Dive Systems
- Hurricane Diving
Photography Info
Best for: wide_angle, macro