Ask ten divers to name the best dive sites in Gozo and Reqqa Point will appear on almost every list. This small, finger-shaped headland — Ras ir-Reqqa in Maltese — marks the most northerly tip of the island, and below the surface it delivers everything that makes Gozo diving world-class: a plunging wall, a swimmable chimney, house-sized boulders and some of the richest marine life in the Maltese Islands. It is a shore dive, it works for almost every certification level, and on a calm summer day the visibility can stretch beyond 30 metres.

In this guide, the Watercolours Dive Centre team covers everything you need to know before diving Reqqa Point: how to get there, what the topography looks like, which route suits your experience level, and when conditions are at their best.

Where Is Reqqa Point?

Reqqa Point sits on Gozo’s rugged north coast, directly below the hilltop village of Żebbuġ and just west of the photogenic Xwejni salt pans — well worth a stop on your surface interval. Access is from the shore: vehicles park on the flat limestone shelf past the salt pans, and it’s a short walk over the rocks to the water’s edge, where you can make a giant-stride entry from the low platform or use the ladder installed near the point.

The headland extends roughly 50 metres out to sea, and because it faces the open Mediterranean, the water here is exceptionally clean and clear — one of the reasons the site is so consistently full of fish.

What Makes Reqqa Point One of Gozo’s Best Dive Sites?

In a word: variety. Few sites anywhere in Malta and Gozo pack this much topography into a single shore entry.

The Chimney

Close to the entry point on the eastern side lies Reqqa’s most famous feature: a natural chimney running vertically through the reef from around 6 metres down to 16–17 metres. Divers can drop through it at the start of the dive or ascend it at the end — either way, looking up through the shaft towards the blue is a moment you won’t forget. It’s wide enough to pass through comfortably, but good buoyancy control makes the experience far more enjoyable.

The Wall and Drop-Off

West of the point, the reef top levels out at around 17 metres before falling away in a dramatic drop-off. To the east, the reef is carved with fissures, inlets and crevices that lead down to a sandy bottom at about 25 metres. Beyond that, the main wall descends past 30–40 metres and keeps going — the seabed off the point eventually bottoms out beyond 60 metres, which is why Reqqa is equally loved by recreational and technical divers.

Technical divers also come here for the “Reqqa Bottle”, a deep chimney with its entrance at around 58 metres and exit at 35 metres. It is strictly for appropriately trained and equipped tec divers, but it cements Reqqa Point’s reputation as a site you can dive again and again without repeating yourself.

Marine Life at Reqqa Point

Reqqa Point is arguably the fishiest shore dive in Gozo. The nutrient-rich water sweeping around the headland attracts predators and prey alike, so most dives here feel busy from descent to safety stop. Keep an eye out for:

• Dusky groupers — often large and curious, patrolling the wall and boulders
• Barracuda and dentex — hunting in the blue just off the drop-off
• Shoals of damselfish and bogue — shimmering in tight formation over the reef top
• Moray eels, octopus and cuttlefish — tucked into the cracks and crevices
• Spiny lobsters and colourful nudibranchs — among the giant boulders
• The occasional ray — cruising over the sand at depth

Bring a torch even on a day dive: the overhangs, crevices and the chimney reward anyone who takes the time to look inside.

Who Can Dive Reqqa Point?

One of the site’s great strengths is that it offers a genuine route for every level.

• Newer divers: enter on the shallower western (left) side in about 6 metres of water and explore the gentle slope down to the reef top at 17 metres, enjoying the drop-off scenery without going over the edge.
• Advanced divers: start on the right and follow the wall westward to 30 metres or more, keeping the reef on your left before turning back over the boulder field — the classic Reqqa circuit.
• Technical divers: the deep wall and the Reqqa Bottle chimney (58 m to 35 m) make this one of the most rewarding tec sites in the Maltese Islands.

Whatever your level, dive the site with a guide the first time. Local knowledge of the entry, the currents around the point and the best route for the day’s conditions makes a real difference here.

Entry, Exit and Conditions

Entry and exit are the only genuinely demanding parts of a Reqqa Point dive. The walk over the limestone is short but uneven, and the exit uses a ladder whose condition can vary through the season — so take your time, and let your guide assist with fins and cameras.

The site faces due north and is fully exposed to Malta’s prevailing north-westerly winds. When the majjistral blows, swell makes entry and exit unsafe and the site is simply not diveable. On calm days, or with southerly winds flattening the north coast, conditions are superb, with visibility frequently in the 25–30 metre range.

Best Time to Dive Reqqa Point

Summer and early autumn (June to October) offer the most reliable conditions and the warmest water. In winter and spring the site is diveable on calm days, but you’ll want a 7 mm suit or drysuit and a flexible plan — our team always checks the forecast and will switch to a sheltered alternative if the north coast is blown out.

Nearby Dive Sites

Reqqa Point sits at the heart of Gozo’s finest stretch of coastline for divers. Within a few hundred metres you’ll find Billinghurst Cave, one of the longest cave dives in the Maltese Islands; Shrimp’s Cave, named for the thousands of tiny crustaceans lining its walls; and Cathedral Cave at nearby Għasri, famous for its dome of trapped air and shafts of blue light. Many divers combine two of these sites in a single-day, two-tank trip — ask our team to build the itinerary for you.

Dive Reqqa Point with Watercolours Dive Centre

Watercolours Dive Centre runs guided shore dives to Reqqa Point and Gozo’s other north-coast highlights throughout the season, with transport, tanks and weights included [VERIFY: confirm current package inclusions]. Whether it’s your first wall dive or your five-hundredth, our instructors and guides know exactly how to get the best out of this remarkable site.

Ready to see Gozo’s most famous headland from below? Get in touch to book your Reqqa Point dive, or browse our full list of Malta and Gozo dive sites to plan the rest of your trip.

FAQs

How deep is Reqqa Point?

The reef top sits at around 17 metres on the western side, with a sandy bottom at roughly 25 metres to the east. The main wall drops to 30–40 metres and continues beyond 60 metres, so the site suits everyone from recreational divers to technical teams.

Is Reqqa Point suitable for beginners?

Yes, in calm conditions. Less experienced divers can enter on the shallower western side in about 6 metres of water and stay above the reef top, while advanced divers follow the deeper wall. Entry and exit are over rocks or via a ladder, so diving with a guide is recommended.

How do you get to Reqqa Point?

Reqqa Point is a shore dive on Gozo’s north coast, just west of the Xwejni salt pans near Żebbuġ. Vehicles park on the limestone shoreline past the salt pans, followed by a short walk over the rocks to the entry point.

When is the best time to dive Reqqa Point?

Summer and early autumn are the most reliable. The site is exposed to north-westerly winds, so it’s best dived on calm days or when southerly winds flatten the sea on the north coast.