SS Polynesia
Site Overview
The SS Polynesia is a 1920s steamer resting upright and intact at 28-35 m off Marsascala, a deep but rewarding advanced dive. Huge conger eels peer from the hull, nudibranchs cover the plating and schools of bream drift above. Its preservation and fish life make it a favourite south-coast wreck for divers with the right certification and 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. 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 from Marsascala and descend with your guide to the upright hull at 28 m, watching your no-decompression time. Explore the deck for conger eels and bream, then ascend slowly with a safety stop. 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
Conger Eel
Conger conger
Best: Year-round
Nudibranch
Chromodorididae
Best: Year-round
Common Bream
Boops boops
Best: Year-round
Dusky Grouper
Epinephelus marginatus
Best: Year-round
Mediterranean Moray
Muraena helena
Best: Year-round
Safety & Hazards
- Depth near 35 m
- Limited no-decompression time
- Occasional mild current
- Sharp metal edges
- Boat traffic in the area
- Reduced visibility after rain
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
Suited to advanced divers who enjoy intact steamers and deep wrecks. It is a memorable south-coast dive for those comfortable at 30+ m. 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
- Divewise
- ABC Diving
Photography Info
Best for: wide_angle, macro