The Maltese Islands – Our Top 5: Best Dive Sites around Malta, Gozo and Comino
[reading time: approx. 9 mins.]
In this blog post we’ll be talking about our top 5 favourite dive sites around the Maltese islands, which consists of Malta, Gozo and Comino. These small islands are located in the Mediterranean Sea south of Sicily and north of Libya. It’s definitely among the best diving spots in the Mediterranean Sea because of its warm water, wrecks, caves and reefs which are suitable for every diving qualification level.
In addition to these underwater highlights the diverse islands offer historical cities and temples, a beautiful landscape, the warm hospitality of the Maltese people and more than 300 sunny days per year. Which is of course also perfect for diving because of the lighting!
Our Malta Love Story, to understand why we have a wide selection of dive sites:
In 2017 we visited Malta for the first time and did two Try Scubas there. One year later we came back and did our Open Water Diver, another year later we traveled to the Maltese islands three times and did our Deep Diver. And now in 2020 we’re planning again our next trip to these wonderful islands. We totally fell in love with that archipelago, both on land and underwater! We did about 40 dives around there until now (all of them with Extra Divers Malta) and saw quite a few dive sites, so here are those who are among our favorite ones.
These spots are ranked according to the marine life, the level of difficulty, the features and overall the beauty of the dive site. All points are our personal opinion - form your own and visit these spots.
Our Top 5 Dive Sites around Malta, Gozo and Comino:
Santa Maria Caves | P29 | Blue Hole & Inland Sea
5. Blue Hole & Inland Sea – Gozo
The final place of our ranking goes to the Blue Hole and the Inland Sea on Gozo. We couldn’t decide between those two dive sites but Gozo definitely needs to be a part of the Top 5 List.Furthermore we already heard of people that combined those two places in one dive, starting with one and ending with the other, because they’re quite close to each other. We always did the two dive sites separate, so let’s start with the Blue Hole:
The Blue Hole is a natural circular rock formation in the west of Gozo. It`s about 10 meters wide and is like a sheltered pool of the waves, which is pretty nice for the entry.
However, unfortunately the Blue Hole is not that easy to access like all the other dive sites on the Maltese islands. From the car park you need to walk 5-10 minutes over the rocky path with your equipment on the shoulder. But you will be rewarded with a nice dive!
In the beginning you will descent in the pool until a depth of 9 meters, where a big hole in the rocks opens up to the open sea like a window. Keep your eyes open, you can already find some small marine life on the walls of the rocks.
The dive continues to the Azure Reef. They say that because until March 2017 the Azure Window, an about 100 meters long natural formed arch of rock, was there. It was a landmark of Gozo and very well visited by tourists until it collapsed during a heavy storm. Now only divers can still visit its large boulders under water.
In the beginning you will descent in the pool until a depth of 9 meters, where a big hole in the rocks opens up to the open sea like a window. Keep your eyes open, you can already find some small marine life on the walls of the rocks.
The dive continues to the Azure Reef. They say that because until March 2017 the Azure Window, an about 100 meters long natural formed arch of rock, was there. It was a landmark of Gozo and very well visited by tourists until it collapsed during a heavy storm. Now only divers can still visit its large boulders under water.
At the moment it’s not that biologically active yet because it happened too recent, but it’s a gorgeous dive with a completely new underwater landscape. The white and chalky boulders in the deep blue sea look fantastic! Therefore the dive spot is also called the Azure Alps, because the white boulders look like snowy mountains.
We’re excited how the Azure Reef changes over the following years.
On the way back there is a chimney, which is a pretty long but narrow rock fissure that one diver at a time can pass. The entrance is at 18 meters and it ends up at about 8 meters, so keep care of your ascent speed.
Furthermore you can visit a huge cave down there which is totally dark when you turn off your lamps. Try that for a few seconds, even though it’s a bit spooky.
The ascent to the surface is again through the Blue Hole where you can have some harmless fried egg jellyfish depending on the time of the year. All in all it’s a really great spot and we will definitely dive there again!
We’re excited how the Azure Reef changes over the following years.
On the way back there is a chimney, which is a pretty long but narrow rock fissure that one diver at a time can pass. The entrance is at 18 meters and it ends up at about 8 meters, so keep care of your ascent speed.
Furthermore you can visit a huge cave down there which is totally dark when you turn off your lamps. Try that for a few seconds, even though it’s a bit spooky.
The ascent to the surface is again through the Blue Hole where you can have some harmless fried egg jellyfish depending on the time of the year. All in all it’s a really great spot and we will definitely dive there again!
| Depth | max. 25-30 meters |
| Location | Dwejra, 36.0530°N 14.1887°E |
| Qualification | All levels, better Advanced |
Now let’s get to the Inland Sea. It’s a semi-circular about 60 meters wide lagoon which is just about 3 meters deep. The entrance here is very easy and is just a minute walk from the car park.
The Inland Sea is connected to the open sea by a 80 meters long cave tunnel through a big rock. In the beginning the tunnel is just a few meters deep, after a while it precipitously falls off to 25-30 meters. While diving through the tunnel you can spot lots of small marine life on the rock walls on both sides.
Furthermore the lighting here is spectacular, the tunnel itself is pretty dark but the daylight from the end of the tunnel makes its way through the clear water. In addition to that, mostly some divers are deeper than you are and their bubbles look fantastic, like you’re in a big champagne bottle.
Furthermore the lighting here is spectacular, the tunnel itself is pretty dark but the daylight from the end of the tunnel makes its way through the clear water. In addition to that, mostly some divers are deeper than you are and their bubbles look fantastic, like you’re in a big champagne bottle.
Pro Tip: Beware of the boat traffic if you need to ascent in the tunnel. Tourist boats pass it to have a look at the coast and cliffs of Gozo’s coast.
Once you’ve passed the tunnel, you can dive along the reef walls to the left or right and return for the exit to the Inland Sea. If your air consumption is quite good, you can also finish your dive in the Blue Hole.
Depending on the time of the year again, you can see some fried egg jellyfish at this dive site. Outside the tunnel we spotted loooots of these creatures on the surface and while the safety spot at the end of the tunnel again. To be honest, Tami felt not that comfortable with that, but was pretty happy afterwards due to the nice picture motif they gave us.
To conclude these two dive sites we can say that they’re really beautiful and so different to Malta that you definitely need to see them!
Short facts Inland Sea:
| Depth | max. 50 meters outside |
| Location | Dwerja, 36.0542° N 14.1909° E |
| Qualification | All levels, better Advanced |
4. P29 – Malta
The fourth place of our ranking goes to a wreck – the P29 on Malta. It’s located at the dive site of Ċirkewwa (nearby the Ċirkewwa Harbour in the northwest of Malta, where the ferries to Gozo depart) and is easily accessible from shore.
We like the wreck among other facts because of its history:
The P29, originally named Boltenhagen and built in East Germany in 1970 was used as a minesweeper and to patrol the river between East and West Germany until 1996. After the reunification, the Boltenhagen was decommissioned but then used as a patrol boat by the German Coast Guard.
In 1997 the ship was sold to Malta and renamed into P29. It was used as a border guard patrol boat to secure the Maltese coast until 2004. Then the Malta Tourism Authority bought the P29 to scuttle it as an artificial reef and dive site. So there it is now since august 2007.
The wreck now lies at a depth between 12 and max. 36 meters, so it is possible for beginners, but better for advanced divers to explore the whole wreck. Because it was sunk deliberately, the wreck offers access to the interior as well to discover the inside.
The P29 is on our Top 5 list because of its history, the atmosphere at the wreck due to the gun and the dive site itself, because it offers a kiosk, public toilets and an easy entrance by stairs.
The P29, originally named Boltenhagen and built in East Germany in 1970 was used as a minesweeper and to patrol the river between East and West Germany until 1996. After the reunification, the Boltenhagen was decommissioned but then used as a patrol boat by the German Coast Guard.
In 1997 the ship was sold to Malta and renamed into P29. It was used as a border guard patrol boat to secure the Maltese coast until 2004. Then the Malta Tourism Authority bought the P29 to scuttle it as an artificial reef and dive site. So there it is now since august 2007.
The wreck now lies at a depth between 12 and max. 36 meters, so it is possible for beginners, but better for advanced divers to explore the whole wreck. Because it was sunk deliberately, the wreck offers access to the interior as well to discover the inside.
The P29 is on our Top 5 list because of its history, the atmosphere at the wreck due to the gun and the dive site itself, because it offers a kiosk, public toilets and an easy entrance by stairs.
Update Summer 2020: Unfortunately the gun is not complete anymore (probably due to a storm).
| Scuttled | 2007 |
| Depth | max. 36 meters |
| Location | Ċirkewwa, 35.9885°N 14.3261°E |
| Qualification | Advanced |
3. Santa Maria Caves – Comino
Even though we’re wreck lovers, these Caves need to be on the third place of our ranking.
The Santa Maria Caves are underwater cave systems located on the northeast coast of Comino, a small island between Malta and Gozo. The caves are quite shallow and offer tunnels and swim throughs with fantastic views and rock formations.
Diving in the caves on a sunny day is even more spectacular because of the sunlight reflections and light curtains which arise when the rays of sunshine bind their way through the rocks. But then there are also some pitch-black caves when you turn off your light inside, that’s also really exciting. You see, the Santa Maria Caves are very diverse and so beautiful.
Diving in the caves on a sunny day is even more spectacular because of the sunlight reflections and light curtains which arise when the rays of sunshine bind their way through the rocks. But then there are also some pitch-black caves when you turn off your light inside, that’s also really exciting. You see, the Santa Maria Caves are very diverse and so beautiful.
Of course there is marine life as well, we already spotted for example morays, scorpionfish, nudibranch, octopus and banded sea bream swarms there.
Because the caves are quite shallow and most of the swim throughs pretty easy, they are suitable for all qualifications, which is really good. Furthermore it’s just a 5-10 minutes ride with the boat from the north coast of Malta.
Because the caves are quite shallow and most of the swim throughs pretty easy, they are suitable for all qualifications, which is really good. Furthermore it’s just a 5-10 minutes ride with the boat from the north coast of Malta.
| Depth | All Depths, even for snorkelers |
| Location | Santa Maria Caves, Northeast Coast of Comino |
| Qualification | All Levels |
2. Um El Faroud – Malta
Our personal number two is the Um El Faroud wreck. It’s located at the coast of Wied Iz Zurrieq in the southwest of Malta, near the famous Blue Grotto.
The Um El Faroud was a 10.000 ton Libyan motor tanker built in 1969 and operated between Italy and Libya. In 1995, while it was in Maltas dry docks for maintenance work, an explosion occurred and killed nine Maltese workers.
Afterwards the Faroud was considered as a total write-off and three years later the decision has been made to scuttle it as an artificial reef where it is now.
Watch the first minute of the following video if you’re interested in the sinking of the Um El Faroud: Click here for the video
Afterwards the Faroud was considered as a total write-off and three years later the decision has been made to scuttle it as an artificial reef where it is now.
Watch the first minute of the following video if you’re interested in the sinking of the Um El Faroud: Click here for the video
Unfortunately during a huge storm in winter 2005 the Faroud is broken in two, so now there’s a bow section and a stern section to explore while your dives.
The 110 meters long wreck lies at a depth of 36 meters, the main deck is at 25 meters. Therefore it’s again a divesite just for advanced (PADI) or deep divers (SSI).
The 110 meters long wreck lies at a depth of 36 meters, the main deck is at 25 meters. Therefore it’s again a divesite just for advanced (PADI) or deep divers (SSI).
Fortunately the wreck offers quite a few swim throughs and entrances for entering the ship, even without a wreck specialty, because all the doors, windows and so on were removed. Therefore it is always a very interesting and exciting dive site for us.
Furthermore the wreck is full of marine life, there’s plenty of fish, barracudas, tunas and so on. It’s definitely a spectacular dive and a must see!
Furthermore the wreck is full of marine life, there’s plenty of fish, barracudas, tunas and so on. It’s definitely a spectacular dive and a must see!
| Scuttled | 1998 |
| Depth | max. 36 meters |
| Location | Wied Iz Zurrieq, near the Blue Grotto, nearby 35.8188° N 14.4492° E |
| Qualification | Advanced |
1. MV Rozi – Malta
MV Rozi – our personal winner of all dive sites around the Maltese islands!
First of all some facts about our favorite dive site:
The MV Rozi was built in 1958 in the United Kingdom and was sold to Malta more than 20 years later. It operated as a tug boat in the Grand Harbour of Valletta and was scuttled in 1992 to become a tourist attraction for Captain Morgan's underwater safari tours. These trips are no longer carried out so now the wreck acts as an artificial reef and is very popular among scuba divers.
The nearly intact wreck lies at a depth of 36 meters on a sandy bottom. The mast starts at a depth of 20 meters, the deck is at 30 meters and the wheelhouse at 26 meters. Therefore the required qualification for this dive is advanced (PADI) or deep diver (SSI).
The wreck is located nearby the Ċirkewwa Harbour in the northwest of Malta (as well as the P29) and is easily accessible from shore within about 130 meters. Because there are some other dive sites as well, Ċirkewwa offers toilets and a small kiosk in the high season, which is very comfortable for divers.
The MV Rozi offers everything we like: it’s easily accessible, there is lots of marine life like you can see on our pictures and the swim to the wreck is not only through the blue water, but along a reef wall. So all these points make it our favorite dive site here.
The MV Rozi was built in 1958 in the United Kingdom and was sold to Malta more than 20 years later. It operated as a tug boat in the Grand Harbour of Valletta and was scuttled in 1992 to become a tourist attraction for Captain Morgan's underwater safari tours. These trips are no longer carried out so now the wreck acts as an artificial reef and is very popular among scuba divers.
The nearly intact wreck lies at a depth of 36 meters on a sandy bottom. The mast starts at a depth of 20 meters, the deck is at 30 meters and the wheelhouse at 26 meters. Therefore the required qualification for this dive is advanced (PADI) or deep diver (SSI).
The wreck is located nearby the Ċirkewwa Harbour in the northwest of Malta (as well as the P29) and is easily accessible from shore within about 130 meters. Because there are some other dive sites as well, Ċirkewwa offers toilets and a small kiosk in the high season, which is very comfortable for divers.
The MV Rozi offers everything we like: it’s easily accessible, there is lots of marine life like you can see on our pictures and the swim to the wreck is not only through the blue water, but along a reef wall. So all these points make it our favorite dive site here.
| Scuttled | 1992 |
| Depth | max. 36 meters |
| Location | Ċirkewwa, nearby 35.9898°N 14.3269°E |
| Qualification | Advanced |
We hope that you liked our Top 5 ranking of our most favourite dive sites on the Maltese Islands.
Finally we need to say that we knew immediately which places would be included in our ranking, but it was pretty hard for us to prioritise these five dive sites, because all of them offer something else. Of course the wreck dive sites all have a wreck, but nevertheless they are so different.
Except these five spots the Maltese Islands offer sooo much more to explore. To just name a few of them: the P31, HMS Maori, Tug 2, X127, Anchor Bay, Gharlapsi, Double Arch, Paradise Bay, Reqqa Point and so on. The Maltese Islands are the Mediterranean paradise for divers of all qualifications!
If you have any questions or any interesting additional facts, write it down in the comments below and let us know.
Tami & Chris
