Eight Iconic Wrecks of Malta

Text and Images by Alex Dawson. Lead image: The stairway in the MV Kavela.

I was born and raised in Stockholm, on the Baltic Sea where I learned to dive. So it was a natural progression to get into wreck diving. Because of the Baltic’s low salinity, there are no shipworms that eat wood, so we have one of the best places on earth to dive and find wrecks—some dating back over 500 years that are still fairly intact.

I first went to Malta in 2012 when my son was nearly two years old. I only did two dives; one on Um el Faroud and one on the P29. I had my camera, likely a Nikon D3X in a Sea&Sea housing, with me at the time.

One of the highlights of Malta has been its great dive centers, great visibility and a range of diving that can accommodate anyone, no matter what their diving skill level. And since it’s actually three islands, you can always find a sheltered place to go diving, no matter the conditions.

Favorite wrecks? I love the Um el Faroud, The Polynesien, HMS Southwold, HMS Stubborn, and the MV Karwela. I am also very keen on diving the new scuttled wreck, MT Hephaestus in Gozo and the HMS Olympus, which lies at a depth of 115m/378 ft, soon.

How would I describe my work? I think first of all, I’m known for my really big picture, super-wide landscape shots. For wreck photography, I also use a lot of my skills in composition from my years in the studio. I find pleasing angles quite fair, and have a sense of creating beauty out of a pile of rust. My photographer friends used to say that I was an expert at creating art out of nothing.

Plans for Malta? Oh yes, I have a project that I have planned for almost 10 years, and I’m keeping this idea for a very special client. Fortunately, Malta is the perfect place and training ground for any wreck photography enthusiast. I’m really looking forward to going back there soon and diving new and old favourite wrecks.

Find these wrecks and others in Malta’s Virtual Underwater Museum

DIVE DEEPER

Oceanographic: On seals, champagne and thick ice blankets (Interview with Alex Dawson)

Alex Dawson, 50 years old, is a Swedish full-time underwater content creator. His passion for diving dates back three decades to when he took his first breaths underwater at the age of 19. He fell in love with the sport and quickly determined to become a dive master, which then led to his enlistment as a military diver in the Swedish Marines. During this period, Alex bought his first underwater camera and housing and began experimenting with photography. 

Following his departure from the military, his career brought him to Egypt, where he worked as a dive master and guide for a live-aboard on the Red Sea. This opportunity only further strengthened his love for the underwater world and photography, and eventually led him to work in Sudan, the Canary Islands, and his native country of Sweden. He has since been honoured with the privilege to capture images for a variety of tourist organisations.

“My style of photography is geared toward piquing the interest of non-divers and giving them a window into worlds unseen. I always strive to create a ‘wish I were there’ feeling with my imagery. I hope that my unique style of hero shots in wide seascapes and ability to capture divers in the moment will inspire a whole new generation of divers and photographers.” This personal philosophy and unique approach to photography have led to stunning images that have received first-place awards in prestigious photo competitions across the world.Alex is a Divesoft Liberty Side mount Rebreather diver, full tri-mix, full cave & a DPV diver. Alex is a Nikon ambassador and uses a Nikon Z9 in a Nauticam housing with their dome ports and the WACP-2. He uses up to 6x VL65000P off-camera lights from BigBlue Dive .

Return to Malta, May I?