Comino Island - P31 Patrol Boat

The P31 Patrol Boat is an advanced wreck dive off Comino Island in Malta, where an ex-Maltese Armed Forces patrol vessel was scuttled in 2009 to create an artificial reef. This compact military vessel sits upright on a sandy bottom in the sheltered channel between Malta and Comino, providing accessible wreck diving in reliably clear water. The P31 is a small patrol boat, her military design creating a purposeful profile on the seabed. The vessel was prepared before sinking with access points created and hazardous materials removed. The bridge, deck areas, and engine room are accessible, with the vessel's compact size allowing thorough exploration during a single dive. The wreck's position in the sheltered Malta-Comino channel means conditions are typically calm, with excellent visibility and minimal current. This makes the P31 one of the more accessible advanced wreck dives in Malta, suitable for recently advanced-certified divers under guidance. Marine colonisation is developing well, with sponges, tunicates, and algae establishing on the hull. Fish populations are growing, with groupers, damselfish, and wrasses adopting the wreck as habitat. The wreck's position near natural reef means marine life moves between the artificial and natural structures. The advanced rating reflects the depth and overhead environments within the wreck. Malta's outstanding visibility, frequently exceeding 30 metres, ensures the entire vessel is visible during descent and navigation within is safe. Water temperatures from 15 to 26 degrees. The P31 is a rewarding wreck dive in a spectacular Comino setting.