13 Best Scuba Diving Sites in Malta and Gozo
Last Updated: Jun 26, 2023
Reading Time: 8 minutes
By: Shaun
Malta might be best known for its stunning scenery, rich history, and easygoing lifestyle, but for scuba divers, the Maltese islands are best known for their range of world-class dive sites.
From shipwrecks to colourful coral gardens, the islands offer a wide range of underwater attractions that will satisfy both beginner and experienced divers. In this article, we’ll highlight the 13 Best Scuba Diving Sites in Malta, Gozo, and Comino, so you can start planning your next underwater adventures.
What are the best dive sites in Malta?
1. Cirkewwa
Rozi Tug Boat | Image by Diego Delso on Wikimedia Commons
While many visitors associate Cirkewwa with the ferry crossing Gozo, it is one of the most visited scuba diving sites in Malta. This location has something for everyone and is a great spot for both technical and sport diving. In Cirkewwa, one can find various anchors, two natural arches, a statue of the Holy Mary, and various tunnels and caves.
Topping off the attractions are the wrecks of the tugboat Rozi and the P29 patrol boat, which one finds at a depth of around 35 metres.
2. X-127 Wreck
The X-127 is one of the 200 X-Lighters ever built, built primarily to transport cargo during World War I. After the war, many of these ships found a new purpose as the X-127 was used to transport water. In 1942, during a period when Malta was heavily bombed by the Luftwaffe, the ship was hit and sank in the Marsamxett Harbour, off Manoel Island.
The X-127 wreck is easily accessible from the beach and is lying upright on a slope with her bow at a depth of 5 metres and her stern at 22 metres, making it a great wreck dive for beginners.
3. Għar Lapsi
Għar Lapsi | Image by Frank Vincentz on Wikimedia Commons
Għar Lapsi has many shallow dive sites many of which are easily accessible from the shore. The Għar Lapsi Cave is a 40-meter-long, shallow cave system with several crevices that let a lot of sunshine into the cave, filling it with colour.
Around Għar Lapsi there are a number of reefs that are at a depth of around 20 metres. A peculiar one is the Crib Reef, which is an underwater nativity scene that was laid here in the 1990s.
While some of the sites at Għar Lapsi are great for beginners, the area is known for strong currents. So it’s wise not to get in the water if the sea is rough.
4. Um El Faroud
Um El Faroud | Image by Mick Long on Flickr
On the evening of February 3, 1995, Malta was jolted by an exposition emanating from the Malta Dry Docks. The powerful explosion happened onboard the Um El Faroud, which unfortunately cost the lives of nine workers. The ship suffered extensive damages and was later written off, and in 1998 it was scuttled around 150 metres off the coast of Wied iż-Żurrieq to become an artificial reef and a scuba diving attraction.
The wreck, which is at a depth of around 15 metres, got split in two during a severe storm in the mid-2000s. The two sections now lie next to each other with just a few metres between them.
Today, the Um El Faroud dive is considered one of the best dives for sport divers and should be high on your short list.
5. Wied iż-Żurrieq Reefs and Caves
The Um El Faroud is not the only dive around Wied iż-Żurrieq. One can dive at the aptly named West and East reefs, together with a number of caves at different depths.
Not far from the West Reef, one can find a life-size replica of a vintage brass diving helmet. The statue is at a depth of 28 metres and situated on a sandy bottom, surrounded by seagrass.
6. Qawra Point
Christ of the Seafarers | Image by Geoff on Flickr
Another location around Malta that provides several points of interest is Qawra Point. One very popular dive is Fra Ben Cave. The cave, which is about 100 metres off the coast, is at a depth of 15 meters and has an open roof that forms a little inland sea with a big boulder in the centre. Divers can surface in the blowhole after swimming around the main rock.
Further out, you can dive at the L-Cave, which, as the name suggests, is a swim-through tunnel in the shape of an L. You can get to the cave after a 20-minute swim from the coast, but it’s best to reach it by boat. Also situated around half a kilometre off the coast is a statue known as “Christ of the Seafarers.”
Qawra Point is ideal for beginners as there is a shallow bay that is perfect for training, and if you are interested in learning more about the marine life, do not miss visiting the Malta National Aquarium, which is just a few minutes away on foot.
What are the best dive sites in Gozo?
7. Blue Hole
The Blue Hole | Image by Bex Walton on Flickr
The Blue Hole in Dwerja is undoubtedly Malta’s most famous scuba diving site, as well as one of the Maltese Islands’ most spectacular dives.
Blue Hole is a 10-by-5-meter circular sinkhole in the limestone. The hole is protected as it is surrounded by rock, and divers can enter and leave the water securely.
Blue Hole has a depth of roughly 15 metres, and half way down one can find a stunning archway that leads from the hole into the open sea. The hole’s sides are covered in vibrant marine life, and a big cave can be found on the opposite side of the window.
Blue Hole dives are frequently done together with Azure Reef, where the Azure Window used to stand. The Blue Hole is accessible by a 200-meter-long walk along the rocky shore, but the dive is well worth the effort to carry your equipment.
8. Dwejra Inlet Sea
Dwejra Inlet Sea | Image by Rune E on Flickr
The Dwejra Inlet Sea is located near the Blue Hole and is a unique natural beach inside a landlocked body of water that is connected to the open sea via an 80-meter tunnel.
With depths reaching around 60 metres the site is great for experienced divers and beginners alike.
9. Double Arch
A unique dive site not to be missed is the Double Arch, which takes its name from two natural arches that are stacked on top of one another. The site is situated off the north coast of Gozo and can be reached after a 10-minute dive or swim from Xwejni Bay.
The reef’s shallowest areas are between 15 and 18 metres deep, while the arches begin at a depth of 20 metres. The depth under the arches reaches 34 metres, but the reef gets even deeper, reaching depths of 45 metres.
10. Reqqa Point
Another very popular spot on the north coast of Gozo is Reqqa Point. This site features a number of caves and walls with plenty of sea life. The site averages around 30 metres in depth but can reach depths of up to 60 metres.
Access from the shore can be a bit tricky, but it’s a great site for experienced divers.
11. Cathedral Cave
Cathedral Cave | Image by prilfish on Flickr
Gozo is full of spectacular beaches, but a very particular spot is Wied il-Għasri. This narrow gorge extends for about 300 metres inland from the open sea. Outside this gorge, at a depth of around 6 metres there is an underwater cave called Cathedral Cave.
With a depth range of 12 to 30 metres and an average visibility of 25 metres, Cathedral Cave is suitable for divers of all experience levels and is an amazing spot for underwater photography.
What are the best dive sites in Comino?
12. Patrol Boat P31
The P31 wreck is the only wreck dive around the island of Comino. It was a patrol boat used by the Armed Forces of Malta, and when it was decommissioned, it was scuttled to make it a diving attraction. The P31 is 52 metres in length and is at a depth of around 15 metres, making it a great spot for divers of all levels.
Divers may swim through from the stern to the bow thanks to the many open spaces that were left on the wreck.
13. Santa Maria Caves
Santa Maria Caves | Image by Mick Long on Flickr
The Santa Maria Caves are located on the north side of Comino and are a group of around 10 caves, all with their own distinct charm. Some of these caves provide fantastic swim troughs; others have spacious underwater tunnels; and still others have eye-catching views of the surrounding sea at their entrances.
The caves, with some also visible above sea level, are a very popular spot with divers, so if you are visiting during the busy summer months, make sure to get there early.
Conclusion
The Maltese islands provide a wide variety of diving sites for all levels of experience. This list is just a taste and you can refer to a more complete list of dives sites to expand your choice even more.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best dive sites in Malta?
The best dive sites across the Maltese islands are in Cirkewwa, the Um El Faroud wreck in Wied iż-Żurrieq, the Blue Hole and Reqqa Point in Gozo.
What are the best dive sites on the island of Gozo?
The best dive site in Gozo is the Blue Hole in Dwejra, together with the nearby Inlet Sea and Azure Reef. Other great dive sites in Gozo are Reqqa Point, the Double Arch off Xwejni Bay, the Cathedral Cave and the wrecks of the MV Karwela and MV Cominoland in Xlendi.
What are the best wreck dives in Malta?
Malta has over 80 aircraft and ship wrecks scattered across the islands. Some wrecks like the X-127, the HMS Maori and the HMS Jersey date back to World War II, while many others like the Um El Faroud, the MV Xlendi and the P31 Patrol Boat were scuttled on purpose to become artificial reefs as well as diving attractions.
When is the best time to dive Malta?
In Malta, you can enjoy diving any day of the year. During the coldest months of January and February, the water temperature is around 16 C (60 F) and during the summer months the temperature can increase all the way to around 28 C (82 F).
