Mġarr ix-Xini

Mġarr ix-Xini is a narrow, steep-sided inlet on Gozo’s south coast, west of Mġarr harbour. In the time of the Knights it was used as a small harbour for galleys; today it is a quiet, sheltered bay with a shingle beach.

The sandy seabed, crossed by Neptune grass, slopes gently towards the mouth of the bay, with boulders along the sides. Two caves sit below the cliff on the west (right-hand) wall at about 6 and 16 metres. The bay is known for smaller life: seahorses, pipefish, gurnards, stargazers, octopus and cuttlefish.

It is an easy shore dive from the beach and a favourite for training and night dives. The swim out to the caves is fairly long, so plan your air. Boat traffic in summer means a surface marker buoy is wise.