SS Malakoff Wreck – Balearic Islands – Mallorca
Site Overview
The SS Malakoff is a 1929 steamer resting at 18-30 m in Palma Bay, its scattered structure now a haven for conger eels, morays and nudibranchs. The wreck offers a gentle historical dive with reliable macro life and easy boat access from the capital, making it popular with photographers and wreck enthusiasts. Its reasonable depth suits Advanced divers, and the surrounding sand adds garden eels and gobies. The Malakoff is a classic Palma Bay wreck dive. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and respect for Spain’s marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among divers who value dramatic volcanic or Mediterranean scenery, historic wrecks and rich marine life across a long, varied season. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and respect for Spain’s marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among divers who value dramatic volcanic or Mediterranean scenery, historic wrecks and rich marine life across a long, varied season. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and respect for Spain’s marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among divers who value dramatic volcanic or Mediterranean scenery, historic wrecks and rich marine life across a long, varied season. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and respect for Spain’s marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among divers who value dramatic volcanic or Mediterranean scenery, historic wrecks and rich marine life across a long, varied season.
Dive Briefing
"Boat to the wreck and descend to the scattered structure at 18-25 m, circling slowly and checking the openings for conger eels and morays. Scan the hull for nudibranchs, then ascend with a safety stop and watch for boat traffic on exit. Follow your guide closely, monitor your air and thermal comfort, watch your depth and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point to keep the dive safe and enjoyable. Follow your guide closely, monitor your air and thermal comfort, watch your depth and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point to keep the dive safe and enjoyable. Follow your guide closely, monitor your air and thermal comfort, watch your depth and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point to keep the dive safe and enjoyable. Follow your guide closely, monitor your air and thermal comfort, watch your depth and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point to keep the dive safe and enjoyable."
Signature Marine Life
Conger Eel
Conger conger
Best: Year-round
Moray Eel
Muraena helena
Best: Year-round
Nudibranch
Chromodoris spp.
Best: Year-round
Wrasse
Labrus spp.
Best: Year-round
Gobies
Gobius spp.
Best: Year-round
Safety & Hazards
- Sharp edges
- Silt disturbance
- Depth and nitrogen limits
- Boat traffic overhead
- Confined structure
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
Suited to Advanced divers who want a historical wreck with strong macro life and an easy bay location. It appeals to photographers and wreck hunters. Training divers build skills here under guidance. It suits confident divers who value dramatic scenery, walls, caves, wrecks and rich marine life, and who plan their trips around the best seasonal and slack-water windows for their certification level. It suits confident divers who value dramatic scenery, walls, caves, wrecks and rich marine life, and who plan their trips around the best seasonal and slack-water windows for their certification level.
For Non-Divers
Non-divers can enjoy boat trips, coastal walks, beaches and local cuisine while divers explore the site.
Quick Stats
Dive Logistics
- Palma Diving
- Mallorca Wreck Dives
Photography Info
Best for: macro, wide_angle
Nearby Stay
Local Dive Lodge
Palma • 3km away
Coastal Guesthouse
Palma • 5km away