Sitting on a sandy bottom at 32-40 metres depth, some 700 metres off the South coast, this wreck is full of marine life, from ‘clouds’ of Damselfish to huge shoals of silver Barracuda swooping in and out of the ‘ribs’ of the hull. Often a rare species of Trigger Fish can also be seen.
The ‘Malakoff’ sank in 1929 in heavy seas after running aground off the Cap D’Artruix lighthouse.
In the 1950’s much of the superstructure was salvaged but what is left has formed a lively artifical reef some 105 metres long, in part due to its cargo of cement and iron which has solidified and created a maze of holes and openings for marine life to settle in.
Most dive centres boats can easily find the wreck with the aid of GPS and fish finding equipment and what follows is a gentle descent down the anchor line as the wreck slowly appears.
It is easy to follow the outline of the hull, admiring the marine life that surrounds you – definitely one for the photographer – as you return to the anchor line for your ascent.
