Diving in Malta and Gozo: Best Dive Sites and Wrecks

Malta and Gozo are among the best places to dive in Europe. The water is clear, the sea is warm for much of the year, many of the best sites start right from the shore, and the seabed is scattered with wartime wrecks and ships sunk on purpose as artificial reefs. Whether you want to try diving for the first time or plan a week of wreck and cave dives, this is our guide from us at Experiences Malta to the best dive sites, when to go and how to choose a dive centre.

Map of Malta’s Best Dive Sites

The dive sites in this guide on one map. Most are shore dives you can drive to.

Why Dive in Malta?

• Clear water: visibility is commonly 20 to 40 metres, and often more than 30 metres after a spell of calm weather.
• Year-round diving: the water is about 24 to 28°C in summer, 18 to 24°C in spring and autumn and around 15°C in winter, when you will want a thicker wetsuit or a drysuit.
• Easy logistics: many of the best sites are shore dives, so you drive, kit up and walk in, without needing a boat.
• Variety: wrecks, caves, arches, reefs and drop-offs within a short drive of each other on three islands.

Best Dive Sites in Malta and Gozo

Dive site	Where	Type	Depth	Level
Blue Hole	Dwejra, Gozo	Sinkhole, arch, caves	5 to 35 m+	Advanced
Inland Sea	Dwejra, Gozo	Tunnel to open sea	5 to 30 m	Open Water and up
Ċirkewwa Marine Park	Ċirkewwa, Malta	Reef, cave, wrecks	5 to 35 m+	All levels
Um El Faroud	Wied iż-Żurrieq, Malta	Tanker wreck	18 to 36 m	Advanced, deep
HMS Maori	Valletta, Malta	WWII destroyer	12 to 16 m	Beginners
MV Karwela	Xatt l-Aħmar, Gozo	Ferry wreck	30 to 42 m	Advanced, deep
P31	Comino	Patrol boat wreck	About 20 m	Open Water and up
Santa Maria Caves	Comino	Caverns and arches	6 to 20 m	All levels
Reqqa Point	Gozo	Wall, overhangs	20 to 40 m	Advanced

Depths are typical ranges for recreational dives. Always dive within your training and with a local guide if you do not know the site.

Best Wreck Dives in Malta

Diving in Gozo and Comino

Gozo has the most dramatic underwater scenery. At Dwejra on the west coast you can dive the Blue Hole, a natural pool in the rock that opens into an arch, and the fallen blocks of the Azure Window, the famous rock arch that collapsed in a storm in 2017. Nearby, the Inland Sea is a lagoon linked to the open sea by a natural tunnel of around 80 to 100 metres, with beautiful light effects as you swim out. Most divers reach Gozo on the ferry from Ċirkewwa for the day, while Marsalforn is the main dive base on the island.

Comino, between the two, has the Santa Maria Caves, a set of shallow caverns and tunnels full of light, and the wreck of the patrol boat P31, sunk in 2009. Read our Comino guide for the rest of the island.

Snorkelling in Malta

• Blue Lagoon, Comino: shallow turquoise water over white sand, best early in the morning. See our Blue Lagoon guide.
• St Peter’s Pool, near Marsaxlokk: deep, clear water off rock ledges.
• Wied il-Għasri, Gozo: a narrow gorge with excellent snorkelling on calm days.
• Blue Hole, Gozo: you can snorkel over the top of the pool on calm days.

For more swimming spots, see our guide to the best beaches in Malta.

Learning to Dive in Malta

Dive centres across Malta and Gozo run try-dives for complete beginners and full entry-level courses such as Open Water, usually over a few days. Many beginners train at sheltered shore sites, which is one reason Malta is so popular for learning.

• Choose a dive centre affiliated with a recognised training agency, and ask about group sizes and what is included (equipment, transport, Gozo ferry).
• Bring your certification card and logbook if you are already qualified.
• Medical questions: you will be asked to complete a medical questionnaire before diving.
• Do not fly straight after diving: most agencies recommend waiting at least 18 to 24 hours before flying home.

Diving in Malta FAQ

When is the best time to dive in Malta?

May to October has the warmest water and the most settled weather. Diving runs all year, and May, June, October and early November often combine good visibility with fewer people.

What is the water temperature for diving in Malta?

About 15°C in winter, 18 to 24°C in spring and autumn, and 24 to 28°C in summer.

Can beginners dive in Malta?

Yes. Shallow sites such as HMS Maori and the reef at Ċirkewwa suit newer divers, and dive centres run try-dives and Open Water courses.

What is the most famous dive site in Malta?

The Blue Hole in Gozo and the Um El Faroud wreck off the south coast are the best known.

Can you still dive the Azure Window?

The arch collapsed in 2017, but its fallen blocks now form a dive site next to the Blue Hole at Dwejra.

Keep Planning

Sources: SSI: Malta diving, 10 best dive sites, Oyster Diving: Wreck diving in Malta and Gozo, Wikivoyage: Diving in Malta, Time Out: Best beaches in Malta.