This is post 3/9 in our Malta series. Why not read them now?
A relatively small island, Malta is generally considered to be one great diving spot in itself! The Maltese coastline is a continuous loop of pools, lagoons, wrecks and reefs. This makes it somewhat difficult to separate one dive from another. At Economy Car Hire we have narrowed the selection down to our five favourite underwater wonders so you can spend less time researching and more time exploring!
1. Cathedral Dome (Gozo)
You may never see a blue as brilliant as this. Whilst the climb down the 90 steps to Ghasri Valley in your gear may be a bit of a struggle, the views as you make the descent and the dive itself are well worth the effort! Suitable for all levels of diving, you start in a creek on the right hand side of the bay and enter the cave by a hole in the wall about 6m down. On the way down be sure to look out for a variety of sea urchins and colourful starfish. Once you have emerged into the cave itself you will be able to surface and will be instantly awed. The walls are covered in colourful corals, hydroids, sponges and golden zoanthids. This combined with the blue light that streams through the caves entrance and holes in the ceiling, gives the impression of the jewelled colours of a cathedrals stained glass window. Cathedral dome is a great spot for underwater photography. Due to the acoustics in the cave, it is also the perfect place to practice your singing!
2. P29 Minesweeper Wreck
The eerie wreck of this p29 patrol boat was sunk as a diving attraction for visitors in 2007. Although the wreck doesn’t have a tragic story accounting for its final resting place, it is no less fascinating. Due to the clarity of the sea around Malta, exploring the wreck is exciting without being dangerous. Swim through the passageways and portals and uncover which sea creatures have made the ship their home. As is the same with all wreck dives inexperienced divers will benefit from a guide. They will be able to provide a tour and explain the artificial ‘reefing’ of the wreck by aquatic creatures of every kind. Organised wreck dives operate daily, simply book yourself on one!
3. Blue Chimney
This popular diving site is the start point for a collection of different diving routes that incorporate the Azure Window, Coral gardens and the opportunity to spot a wide array of exotic fish and sea creatures. Once under water, most divers tend to head down along the cliff face. This brings you out at the stunningly blue Azure window, a wide expanse of unblemished sapphire blue water. You can then circle back on yourself via the jewel coloured Coral gardens. Here you can admire the wide variety of marine life that calls this colourful reef home! Once you’ve had your fill of exploring the gardens, head back to your start point the blue chimney. You will then swim up through a shaft of strikingly blue light, perfect for silhouette photos!
4. Blue Lagoon
Blue lagoon is a great spot for first time or inexperienced divers. While the shallow waters of the lagoon itself are more suited to snorkelling, it does provide access to a remarkable underwater tunnel. This leads to a secret cave hidden within an islet. The tunnel is lit by sunlight streaming through a hole in the roof which brings out the colours in the sponges and coral that decorate the tunnel walls. At the end of the tunnel you will reach a pinnacle nicknamed mushroom rock. This is a favourite hiding place for octopus! Passing this and heading west you will come to the wide cave entrance. Although the entrance is completely light, as you swim deeper into the cave it becomes pitch black. You will therefore need a torch to explore the marine life that covers the cave walls. As you return to the cave’s entrance, enjoy the intense blue arch of the exit which like the blue chimney also makes for perfect silhouette photos. These will make a fab souvenir of your underwater adventure!
5. Cirkewwa Arch
This dive is combined with routes that lead to the Rozi tugboat wreck as well as the statue of Madonna. The archway itself was formed when a cavern collapsed leaving a spectacular frame for a wide variety of sea fauna and flora. Once you have passed through the arch you will continue to swim along the sea wall. Here you will come across a series of small caves and caverns. Although these caves are too small to get inside, they act as delightful little windows into the world of marine life. In one of these caverns you will come across the Madonna. This statue of the Virgin Mary was placed here as a diving attraction over 20 years ago and it is visited by thousands of divers every year! Swimming a bit further you will reach the Rozi tugboat wreck. Like the p29 minesweeper, it was also deliberately sunk and is now an artificial reef for a number of fish, sponges and coral.
So, whether you’re a diving pro or haven’t ventured further than snorkelling rock pools, Malta has something to satisfy all your diving desires! With its strikingly clear water, high visibility and abundance of marine life, it is no surprise that this little island was voted the best diving spot in the med. If you’re planning a trip to Malta, be sure to make the most of these fantastic underwater expeditions!
For more ideas to inject a bit of adventure into your holiday why not check out our list of Malta’s best outdoor activities!
Don’t forget to leave a comment if you’ve been scuba diving in Malta and have some suggestions on your favourite spot.
