You could probably recognise a picture of Malta easily – the spires and domes of the Valletta skyline, the sun sinking slowly below the horizon in Golden Bay, or even some village feast with exquisite papier-mâché saints and whirring catherine wheels in tow. But some of the islands’ most remarkable treasures remain hidden beneath the surface of the Mediterranean, beckoning visitors to heed their call.

Submerged World, a new six-part documentary series produced by the Malta Airport Foundation, Monolith Productions and marine biologist Professor Alan Deidun, invites viewers to take their seaside adventure beyond the beach and discover a different side of Malta. Combining history, marine life and underwater exploration, the series explores some of the country’s most renowned wreck diving sites, opening them up not just to diving enthusiasts but to those who may never have the opportunity to dive there themselves.

Some of the sites explored in the series include the Um El Faroud – the fuel tanker marked by tragedy that was scuttled in 1998, the HMS Maori – the World War II destroyer involved in the sinking of the Bismarck, and even the humble Rożi – the loyal tugboat now thriving in its second life as an artificial reef. Other episodes cross the channel into waters farther afield, exploring naval vessels later turned ferry boats MV Cominoland and the Imperial Eagle, and the P31 – a former minesweeper scuttled into a shallow wreck for the enjoyment of seasoned divers and professionals alike.

The welfare of Malta’s maritime environment is an area the Malta Airport Foundation has made a concerted effort to address, which is why documenting these unique intricacies of our underwater heritage made the project so dear to the foundation.

The chief guiding principle behind the series is to showcase the depth of the riches Malta has to offer to professional divers and the steadily growing niche that they represent. But a welcome consequence has also been an opportunity to open up a slice of cultural heritage that is not immediately accessible to everyone who may wish to see it.

Despite the sea’s insistence on hiding away these wrecks for itself, these six documentaries take viewers to their decks regardless, exploring their rich histories and how, despite their apparent decay, the husks of these once towering symbols of industry and military prowess have adopted a more peaceful second life as habitat for the lush marine life in the area. Submerged World delves into the eccentricities of some of the underwater wildlife that makes a home among these wrecks, particularly species known for their close interaction with divers.

Wreck diving sites are in and of themselves a relatively modern addition to our marine ecosystem that have the potential to be a force for positive change in our seas. Because of the nature of their structure, scuttled wrecks that are transformed into artificial reefs become a hotbed for marine biodiversity, attracting a variety of aquatic wildlife which ultimately make it their home.

On a barren seafloor, an artificial reef is like an oasis in the desert. And given the extent to which human activity is the cause of so much environmental degradation in the sea, scuttled vessels are one of the few opportunities mankind has to give something back.

The conclusion of the Submerged World project is both satisfactory and somewhat bittersweet, as the documentaries’ producer, Pedja Miletic, unfortunately did not live to see its completion. An award-winning film producer and renowned diving enthusiast, Pedja brought all of his passion and expertise to the project, working hand-in-hand with the foundation to create Submerged World. His commitment to documenting the beauty of Maltese waters will not soon be forgotten.

Submerged World is available in both Maltese and English and includes subtitles in both languages for enhanced accessibility. All of the documentaries are available here: youtube.com/maltaairport

This article was first featured in the 100th edition of GuidemeMalta 2026.