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Shore Dives
The islands invite you to discover their natural harbours, bays, sheltered creeks, cliffs, reefs and wrecks. The waters here are some of the most limpid and clear in the world. Visibility is excellent down to around 30 metres. So Malta is a dream destination for underwater photography. Marine life flourishes in a vibrant display of colours.
Images featured in this section are derived from: SCUBA DIVING MALTA GOZO COMINO – A Complete Diving Guide to the Maltese Islands by Peter G. Lemon. All rights reserved. Copyright material used by permission from the author.
Anchor Bay
limits of Mellieħa, Malta
This is an ideal location when strong north-easterly winds prevent diving in many other areas. Entry to the water is from a pier.
Blenheim Bomber
Delimara, limits of Marsaxlokk, Malta
The Bleinheim was a light World War II bomber in the English air force, now lying in the waters of Xorb il-Għaġin.
Carolita Barge
Marsamxett Valletta, Malta
The Carolita Barge is reached from the Manoel Island in Marsamxett Harbour.
Ċirkewwa
near Ċirkewwa, Malta
Situated in the north of the island, this location has long been a favourite among local divers, mainly for its impressive drop-off from eight to 30 metres.
Crocodile Rock & Coral Cave
Dwejra, limits of San Lawrenz, Gozo
The crocodile-shaped rock is just offshore between Dwejra Point and Fungus rock. It can be reached both by boat or from the rocky shore.
Delimara Point
limits of Marsaxlokk, Malta
At the tip of the Delimara Peninsula, past Marsaxlokk, is a small square rock which indicates the diving area.
Double Arch Reef
Xwieni Bay, near Marsalforn, Gozo
This dive site is found a short distance to the east of Xwieni Bay, on the north coast of Gozo. It requires a 200 metre swim in a northerly direction, where a drop-off is reached.
Dragonara Cave
Aħrax Point, limits of Mellieħa, Malta
This is the north-eastern point of Malta. There are a number of caves at the surface, inside of which there are several tunnels.
Għar Lapsi
limits of Qrendi, Malta
In the Maltese language ‘għar’ means cave. Għar Lapsi is a fishing hamlet on the southern coast.
Għasri Valley
near Għasri, Gozo
This dive site is located between Reqqa Point and Forna Point, on the North coast of Gozo. Għasri Valley is a spectacular deep cut which widens as it reaches the sea. This dive site is also known as the Blue Dome or Cathedral Cave. This dive is ideal for all levels of divers.
HMS Maori
Grand Harbour, Valletta, Malta
The site is found below fort St. Elmo, in front of a cafe which has its outside walls covered with a number of painted Destroyers, amongst which is the HMS Maori.
Il-Kantra
Mġarr ix-Xini, limits of Xewkija, Gozo
This site is located inside the western entrance to an inlet called Mġarr ix-Xini. At the western side of the inlet a number of rare fish can be seen…
Marfa Point
Marfa Ċirkewwa, Malta
This dive is a shore dive, and starts off from a shallow lagoon. There is a reef which drops down to about 18 metres.
Merkanti Reef
near St. Julian’s, Malta
This reef lies off St. Julian’s Bay. A boat dive is recommended although stronger swimmers can easily reach it from land. The many nooks and crannies house a variety of fish…
Mġarr ix-Xini
limits of Xewkija, Gozo
The caverns at 10m and 16m in this bay can be reached from both Mġarr ix-Xini and Ta’ Ċenċ.
MV Odile
Kalkara Reef, Kalkara, Malta
The MV Odile (also known as the Margit) was an old steam-freighter that sank in course of a bombing attack on April 4, 1942 at Kalkara reef, off Grand Harbour.
Qawra Point
Qawra, St. Paul’s Bay, Malta
This is the southern tip of St. Paul’s Bay. A large Roman anchor was recovered from the sea in this area. The profile drops slowly at first…
Reqqa Point
limits of Għasri, Gozo
This is the northernmost tip of Gozo. The beach road is rough, the entry is tricky with a strong swell, but it is a fantastic dive.
St. Paul’s Islands
near St. Paul’s Bay, Malta
These islands are at the western entrance to St. Paul’s Bay and the only way of reaching the islands is by boat. There are various dive sites at St. Paul’s Islands, including the location where St. Paul was supposed to…
The Blue Hole & The Chimney
Dwejra, limits of San Lawrenz, Gozo
Reportedly one of Jacques Cousteau’s favourite dives…This site is located at the bottom of Dwejra Point. It is a shore dive, which is reached via a fairly difficult walk over rough coralline limestone, however steps…
The Tugboat Rozi
near Ċirkewwa, Malta
At the North of Malta there is Marfa Point. Here there is an old metal jetty, and approximitely 135 metres out from here lies the tugboat Rozi.
Um El Faroud
Wied iż-Żurrieq, near Żurrieq, Malta
The Um El Faroud was sunk in 1998 following a terrible explosion on board…
Wied iż-Żurrieq
near Qrendi, Malta
Wied iż-Żurrieq is a valley on the south coast of Malta. The steep slope of the valley continues underwater.
Xlendi Cave
near Xlendi, Gozo
Xlendi Cave is found in Xlendi Bay. It is best to swim across the bay either on the surface on underwater. The maximum depth of this dive is…
Xlendi Reef
near Xlendi, Gozo
Xlendi Reef is located in the middle of Xlendi Bay. Part of the reef forms a pinnacle, which reaches up to within a metre of the surface.
