X127 Lighter / Carolita

This dive site presents a fascinating opportunity to explore the wreck of X127, a British water lighter that served in World War I and was later repurposed as a fuel lighter. Located off Manoel Island in Marsamxett Harbour, Malta, this wreck offers shallow diving accessible from shore. It’s known by other names such as Carolita or Coralita, having been misidentified for many years until 2003 when it was officially recognized as X-131 and subsequently confirmed as X-127 in 2006. The water lighter, built in 1915, lies upright on a slope, with the bow at approximately 5 meters and the stern reaching 22 meters depth. It’s a relatively accessible wreck suitable for divers with some experience. Other WWII wrecks nearby include HMS Maori off Valletta and Tug 2 off Exiles. This dive site is considered one of the few shallow wreck dives in Malta, making it attractive to recreational divers seeking an intriguing historical experience.