Wreck Dive, Sliema, Malta
Tug 2 is one of the more recent wrecks around the Maltese Islands, located off Exiles in Sliema. She was a tugboat working in the Grand Harbour of Valletta, scuttled in June 2013 to form an artificial reef for both scuba and freediving.
The wreck lies about 250 metres north of Exiles, Sliema. Tug 2 was originally sunk on the sand parallel with the reef.
In October 2016, a storm pushed her against the reef, making it somewhat easier to navigate to from the shore. The wreck is around 30 metres in length and lies at a depth of 22 metres. She is great for small penetrations and for the Wreck Specialty course, with an interconnected engine room and wheelhouse to explore.
Tug 2 is also home to a hidden geocache, giving another reason to visit for all you geocachers out there!
The marine life
Nudibranchs and flatworms can often be found on the wreck, so bring your camera if you're a fan of macro marine life.
The wreck is roughly a 15–20 minute swim from the entry point. On the journey to and from the wreck, moray eels, cuttlefish, and octopuses may be found on the rocky parts of the reef, and flying gurnards and stingrays may be spotted on the adjacent sand. Sea hares can also sometimes be found in the shallow areas close to the entry point.
Experience needed
You must be certified to dive to a depth of 18 metres to dive this site, although an Advanced Open Water certification is recommended to fully explore the lower deck and bow, which sit at around 20–22m.
Dive site specification: Tug 2
- Location: Sliema, Malta
- Type of dive: Shore Dive
- Max depth: 22m
- Minimum certification: PADI Open Water Diver
- For penetration dives: PADI Wreck Diver
- Recommended: PADI Advanced Open Water & PADI Nitrox Diver