El Faroud Wreck Dive Site
El Faroud Wreck (Wied lz Zurrieq)
Wreck Dive Site
Dive Type: El Faroud Shipwreck
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The Um El Faroud was sunk in 1998 following a terrible explosion on board that killed nine Maltese dockyard workers. For three years it lay in the harbour of Valletta, now with the memorial brass plaque above the front windows of the helm, it sits upright on the sandy seabed Southwest of Wied iz-Zurrieq.
The Um El Faroud weighs 10,000 tons and is 115 metres long. The depth to the top of the bridge is 18 metres and 25 metres to the main deck. Divers might come across some squid and barracudas at the stern. The port side is usually teeming with large schools of sea breams, parrotfish and silversides. Sometimes one can come across the occasional amberjack and tuna. The wreck can be entered fairly easily, but due to its size, this should be restricted only to divers with advanced wreck diving training.
This is a very popular dive which starts with an entry into the water from a small, narrow quay. Having entered the water you can surface swim across the bay to the other side, being careful of the boats taking tourists to the Blue Grotto. Here you take a compass bearing to the right of the small Island of Filfla, which can be seen in the background. Descending 10 meters within the inlet as you swim along the bearing.
The Deck sits at 30m while the prop sits at 36m. Here at the back you can enter the kitchen (if properly certified as Wreck Diver specialty) and work your way through the ship.
If not suitably qualified you can follow the walkways to the left or the right of the ship. Inside can easily be seen as all of the doors and windows and a few extra holes cut into her specifically for divers.
The ship now lies in two half's and measures 110m long, the front part of the ship has now split away at a 20/30 degree angle and is slowly being moved by the winter storms. Here you can swim between and actually see the belly of the ship.
Mild currents can be experienced here so please be careful. Many fish can be seen especially during the summer from Barracuda`s, Tuna, Wrasse to Cuttle Fish, Octopus, John Dory`s and even the odd Sting Ray.
Depth: Maximum depth - 36 metres
Chris Derrick
This was a brilliant dive, I did my BSAC Sports Diver in Malta and this was one of the final dives of the course and to date it still remains one of my deeper dives. My air consumption was scary on this one, i was accidentally issued a 10L cylinder and came out with more air than my instructor lol
diversmiffy
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diversmiffy
Faroud is at Wied iz Zurrieq, the Blue Grotto. A top dive site. Good access to water, good cafes and do both the front as well as the back. Two dives. Did this early in the year on wreck spec. Amazing inside. Just come back and saw 7 baracuda on her, 5 in one group. It is my favorite site. surface swim out to the end of the rocks far side of the chanel and go out in the blue at 10mtrs. then drop down to her. AMAZING...
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