Imperial Eagle Wreck
Site Overview
The Imperial Eagle is a former passenger ferry scuttled as an artificial reef off Qawra in 1999, resting upright at 20-30 m. It is now encrusted with life and surrounded by schooling barracuda and jacks, with groupers and morays inside the structure. Its intact, accessible layout makes it a popular north-coast wreck dive for open-water and intermediate 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. 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 a few minutes from St. Paul’s Bay to the mooring and descend to the deck at about 20 m. Circle the upright ferry, watching for barracuda above and groupers within, then ascend with a safety stop and watch for boat traffic. 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. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point."
Signature Marine Life
Barracuda
Sphyraena viridensis
Best: Year-round
Jack (Horse Mackerel)
Trachurus trachurus
Best: Year-round
Dusky Grouper
Epinephelus marginatus
Best: Year-round
Mediterranean Moray
Muraena helena
Best: Year-round
Common Bream
Boops boops
Best: Year-round
Safety & Hazards
- Boat traffic in the area
- Occasional mild current
- Sharp metal edges
- Limited visibility after rain
- Entry via small boat
- Depth near 30 m
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
Ideal for open-water and intermediate divers wanting an intact ferry wreck with abundant fish life close to the Bugibba bases. It is a reliable second dive on a two-tank trip. 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