The Blue Hole, Gozo
Depth: 0–60m | Level: All levels (cavern/cave sections: advanced)
If there’s one dive site that defines Gozo, it’s this one. The Blue Hole is a natural rock formation on the island’s northwest coast — a circular sinkhole roughly 10 metres wide that plunges down and opens out to the sea through a dramatic archway at around 8 metres depth. It definitely qualifies as one of the top 10 dive sites in Malta.
Experienced divers can push deeper along the wall outside, which drops into the blue well beyond recreational limits. But even at shallower depths, the light play through the hole, the shoals of fish, and the sheer geological drama of the place make this a bucket-list dive. Visibility often exceeds 30 metres, and the site connects to what was once the Azure Window — now a fascinating reef of rubble and recovering marine life since the arch collapsed in 2017.
Shore access is via the rocky Dwejra coastline. Go early to avoid the crowds.
Um El Faroud, Malta
Depth: 18–36 m | Level: Advanced
The Um El Faroud is one of the most iconic wreck dives in the entire Mediterranean — a former Libyan oil tanker, 110 metres long, that was intentionally sunk off Wied iz-Zurrieq in 1998 to create an artificial reef. An accidental gas explosion during repairs had already put her beyond service; scuttling her was the best second act she could have hoped for.
Today the wreck lies on her starboard side at 36 metres, colonised by groupers, barracudas, moray eels, and the occasional octopus. Penetration diving is possible through purpose-cut entry and exit holes. The sheer scale of the hull – and the marine life that calls it home – makes this one of those dives you’ll be talking about for years.
Inland Sea, Dwejra, Gozo
Depth: 1–60m | Level: All levels (open sea section: advanced)
The Inland Sea at Dwejra is one of those rare dive sites that genuinely rewards every level of diver. From the shore, you enter a sheltered lagoon and follow a 90-metre tunnel carved through the rock — a memorable passage that brings you out to the open sea and a sheer wall that drops away to serious depths.
The tunnel itself sits between 1 and 15 metres, making it accessible for beginners under guidance. Beyond the tunnel mouth is where the site opens up for advanced divers, with wall diving, caves, and a small wreck (the MV Karwela sits close by) adding further interest. The contrast between the calm, shallow lagoon and the vast blue of the open sea on the other side is something you simply don’t find elsewhere.
Cirkewwa Reef, Malta
Depth: 6–36 m | Level: All levels
Cirkewwa is arguably Malta’s most versatile dive location, and it’s where many divers first fall in love with diving in Malta. Situated at the island’s northwest tip near the Gozo ferry terminal, the site offers multiple dive routes from a single entry point — which is exactly what makes it so popular with dive centres island-wide.
The shallow training area (known locally as Susie’s Pool, just 6 metres deep) is ideal for beginners and skill refreshers. Follow the reef wall deeper and you’ll find two arches, a network of swim-throughs, and — tucked into a small cave at 18 metres — a statue of the Madonna placed there by the Amphibians Diving Club in 1987. Go deeper still and you reach the wrecks of the P29 patrol boat (34 metres) and the Rozi tugboat (36 metres), both deliberately scuttled as dive attractions. Marine life is abundant: barracuda, damselfish, conger eels, and morays are regular company.
The Blue Grotto, Malta
Depth: 5–30 m | Level: All levels
The Blue Grotto on Malta’s southern coastline is probably best known to tourists as a boat trip, but the underwater version is arguably even more impressive. The area is characterised by a series of sea caves, arches, and tunnels carved into the limestone cliff face, all bathed in the kind of electric blue light that gives the place its name.
Visibility here is excellent, and the site is accessible to divers of most experience levels. The tunnels and caverns create natural frames for the light, especially during morning dives when the sun angle is right. Sea fans, sponges, and nudibranchs make this a favourite among underwater photographers. It’s a gentler, more colourful dive than the wreck sites — and a beautiful one.
MV Karwela, Gozo
Depth: 18–42 m | Level: Advanced
Gozo’s south coast is home to a trio of deliberately scuttled wrecks, and the MV Karwela is the most photogenic of the three. A former passenger ferry, she sits upright on the seabed at 42 metres, remarkably intact — complete with her wheelhouse, staircase, and cargo hold, all now draped in soft corals and inhabited by a steady population of fish.
The wreck’s upper structures are accessible from around 18 metres, making parts of the dive viable for open-water divers. But the serious exploration happens deeper. The intact staircase has become something of an iconic photo spot, and if conditions are good, the visibility that frames the full length of the vessel is extraordinary.
The Cathedral Cave, Gozo
Depth: 15–40 m | Level: Advanced
Not every great dive site is about marine life or historical artefacts. The Cathedral Cave (Blue Dome) near Reqqa Point is a pure geological spectacle. A vast cavern system cuts into the Gozitan cliff face, its ceiling soaring high above the waterline to create a space so dramatic that the “cathedral” name barely does it justice.
This is a dive for those comfortable with overhead environments. Inside, rays of natural light filter through from above, illuminating the cave walls and casting the kind of light show you’d normally only see in a painting. Stalactites hang from the ceiling in sections that once sat above sea level. Experienced guides who know the cave’s layout well are strongly recommended.
The P29 Patrol Boat, Malta
Depth: 12–34 m | Level: Intermediate to advanced
Scuttled in 2007 specifically as a dive attraction, the P29 Patrol Boat has aged beautifully into its new role. The 52-metre former patrol boat of the Armed Forces of Malta sits upright on the seabed at 34 metres – close enough to the surface (the top of the wreck sits at just 12 metres) that even intermediate divers can enjoy a meaningful encounter with her.
The P29 shares the Cirkewwa dive area with the Rozi tugboat, meaning a two-wreck dive in a single session is very achievable. Marine life is well established — the hard surfaces of the hull have become home to sponges, tube worms, and a rotating cast of fish. It’s a satisfying wreck with good penetration options for those certified to do so.
Reqqa Point, Gozo
Depth: 5–45 m+ | Level: Intermediate to advanced
Reqqa Point on Gozo’s north coast is the site for divers who want a big wall dive. The reef drops near-vertically from just below the surface down past recreational limits, with caves, overhangs, and swim-throughs punctuating the descent. Large pelagics occasionally pass through — including the odd tuna and amberjack — and the deeper sections are home to sea fans and sponge communities you won’t find in shallower water.
This is primarily a boat dive, and conditions here can be more challenging than elsewhere on Gozo. Currents can run, visibility varies, and the exposed nature of the site means timing your dive with the conditions matters. When it’s good, though, Reqqa Point is genuinely world-class.
Wied iz-Zurrieq, Malta
Depth: 5–25m | Level: All levels
Wied iz-Zurrieq is a picturesque inlet on Malta’s southern coast — a narrow creek between dramatic limestone cliffs — and it marks the entry point for several excellent dives, including access to the Blue Grotto area and a section of the Um El Faroud wreck at its shallower end.
The sheltered nature of the inlet makes entries and exits easy, and the underwater topography — boulders, ridges, rocky gullies, and sandy patches — keeps divers of all levels engaged. It’s a productive site for marine life too: octopus, nudibranch, and various reef fish are reliably present. Worth combining with a stop at the Blue Grotto for a full day on Malta’s south coast.
Planning Your Malta Diving Trip
The best time to dive in Malta is between April and November, though the islands offer year-round diving thanks to mild winters and stable underwater conditions. Water temperatures peak around 26–27°C in summer, dropping to around 14°C in the winter months — a 5mm wetsuit covers most of the year comfortably, with a 7mm or dry suit for winter dives.
Visibility across Maltese dive sites regularly exceeds 20–30 metres, which is one of the main reasons divers rate the archipelago so highly in European terms. The combination of clear water, historic wrecks, dramatic geology, and accessible shore diving makes Malta a destination that genuinely rewards multiple visits.
Whether you’re planning your first Mediterranean dive trip or adding Malta to a long list of dive destinations, the sites above are the ones we’d start with — and the ones our divers consistently leave talking about.
