HMS Maori
Conditions
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Marine forecast via Copernicus Marine. Score is a rule-based guide from swell/wind vs. the site's exposure — always dive your own assessment.
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About this site
HMS Maori is a World War 2 wreck in St Elmo's Bay, Valletta, Malta, dived from the shore below Fort St Elmo. The Tribal Class destroyer was launched in 1937 and saw considerable action in the Mediterranean. On 12 February 1942, while moored at the entrance to Dockyard Creek, she took a direct hit in the engine room, and she was eventually set down in the back-water of St Elmo's Bay on a sandy bottom at about 15 m.
The wreck is very broken up but still recognisable. Her guns were removed and the bow and stern are gone, though part of the raised bridge remains and is a good place for photography. A storm in early 2019 caused heavy damage and made the wreck impenetrable. Around the wreck is a reef of rocks, stones and boulders where moray eels, cuttlefish, octopus and flying gurnards live.
Divers need a certification to 18 m, so Open Water is the minimum, and Nitrox is recommended. The site is sheltered, though visibility is poor.
Marine life here
Confirmed by our research team, reported by independent divers, or observed nearby via iNaturalist — each entry is labelled with its source.
StingrayStingrayConfirmed present · 2 independent sources
Moray eelMoray eelReported here · unconfirmed
CuttlefishCuttlefishReported here · unconfirmed
Sea turtleSea turtleReported here · unconfirmed
Marbled CrabPachygrapsus marmoratusReported here · unconfirmed
European ParrotfishSparisoma cretenseReported here · unconfirmed
Painted ComberSerranus scribaReported here · unconfirmed
snakelocks anemoneAnemonia viridisReported here · unconfirmed
ScorpionfishScorpionfishConfirmed present · 2 independent sources
OctopusOctopusConfirmed present · 3 independent sources
Flying gurnardFlying gurnardConfirmed present · 3 independent sources
Mediterranean DamselfishChromis chromisReported here · unconfirmed
Peacock BlennySalaria pavoReported here · unconfirmed
Ornate WrasseThalassoma pavoReported here · unconfirmed
SeahorseSeahorseConfirmed present · 3 independent sources
NudibranchNudibranchReported here · unconfirmed
Durable tips from divers — access, hazards, marine life, facilities. For day-of conditions, use the report tool in the conditions card above.
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