The Malakoff

🐟 Dive Overview

Departure: We leave from Cala’n Bosch harbor and enjoy a scenic ~10‑minute boat ride to the dive site.

Drop Point & Descent: We anchor on the planned GPS coordinates, then descend following the anchor line. As we glide along the anchor line, the Malakoff wreck suddenly appears, a fascinating portal into history.

Dive Highlights:

• Explore the upright remains of the Malakoff, lying at 30–40 meters depth.

• Discover a rich marine ecosystem, is an artifcial reef.

• Macro lovers will enjoy nudibranchs, gorgonians, and hidden treasures in the wreck’s nooks and crannies.

• Learn from our marine biologist and expert instructors, who share the ship’s history and the fascinating life it now hosts.

• Capture unforgettable underwater photos and videos.

Ascent: We finish the dive with a safety stop before returning to the boat with a safety drop-tank.

📖 History of the Malakoff

The Malakoff was a French steam cargo ship operating in the early 20th century, transporting goods between Mediterranean ports, mainly between Algiers and Marseille.
On the night of January 2, 1929, while sailing off the southwest coast of Menorca, the Malakoff collided with a rocky shoal known as Escull de Gobernador due to dense fog that reduced visibility from the Artrutx lighthouse.
The impact was severe, and the ship sank within minutes. Most of the crew perished in the wreck; only a few survived.
After the sinking, part of the hull remained upright on the sandy seabed at around 38–40 meters depth, where it still rests today. In the 1950s, salvage and dismantling operations were carried out, including detonating the superstructure with explosives to access the boilers and engines, resulting in the loss of many upper sections.
Over time, the remains of the Malakoff have become a spectacular artificial reef: its hull and structures attract a wide variety of marine species—from barracudas and conger eels to groupers, moray eels, and pelagic fish—making it one of the richest diving spots in Menorca.
Additionally, the wreck is part of the Malakoff Project, a local initiative aimed at enhancing both its ecological and tourist value, promoting the conservation of ecosystems created around sunken ships and encouraging quality diving experiences on the island.

🥽 Required Level

• Minimum certification: Deep diver / 3 stars

• Recommended experience: High

• Special requirements: Good buoyancy basic wreck awareness, and gas management for a deeper profile.

⏱️ Total Duration

• 35 minutes by boat from Cala’n Bosch harbour

• Dive duration: about 30 minutes

• Total excursion time: approximately 5 hours including a double dive