Um El Faroud
Site Overview
The Um El Faroud is a 115 m Libyan oil tanker scuttled off Wied iz-Zurrieq in 1998 after an explosion, and it is one of Malta’s premier wreck dives. It lies upright at 18-36 m with open holds, a towering deck and massive resident groupers, barracuda and amberjack. The huge structure and clear water make it a breathtaking dive, best suited to advanced divers with good buoyancy 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.
Dive Briefing
"Boat from Wied iz-Zurrieq and descend with your guide to the deck at 18 m, then explore the open holds and superstructure, watching your no-decompression time. Schools of barracuda and resident groupers gather around the hull; 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
Dusky Grouper
Epinephelus marginatus
Best: Year-round
Barracuda
Sphyraena viridensis
Best: Year-round
Amberjack
Seriola dumerili
Best: June, July, August
Nudibranch
Chromodorididae
Best: Year-round
Mediterranean Moray
Muraena helena
Best: Year-round
Safety & Hazards
- Depth near 36 m
- Limited no-decompression time
- Large structure disorientation
- Occasional mild current
- Sharp metal edges
- Reduced visibility after rain
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
A bucket-list dive for advanced divers who love big wrecks and abundant fish life. Open-water divers can view the upper structure on a guided dive with the right conditions. 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