Dive guide
Shore diving in Malta and Gozo
Most of Malta's dive sites can be reached from the shore, which is why the islands are so popular with independent divers: park, kit up and walk in.
Shore entries are over rock and ladders, so the sea state matters. Check the conditions before you go, and carry a surface marker buoy where there's boat traffic.
Shore dives
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1 Blue Hole
Blue Hole, Dwejra, Gozo: a shore dive through a limestone sinkhole and underwater window to a wall at 25 metres, near the old Azure Window.
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2 Coral Cave
Coral Cave, Dwejra, Gozo: a wide cavern lined with orange cup coral, reached from the Blue Hole, with a seabed at 28–30 metres.
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3 Għar Lapsi
Għar Lapsi, Malta: an easy shore dive into a shallow, sunlit cave system on the south coast, with an air pocket and reef nearby. Up to 15 metres.
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4 HMS Maori
HMS Maori, Valletta: a shallow shore dive on the bow of a WWII destroyer sunk in 1942, lying at 14–16 metres in St Elmo Bay.
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5 Inland Sea
Inland Sea, Dwejra, Gozo: a shore dive from the lagoon through an 80-metre tunnel to the open sea, reaching 26 metres at the exit.
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6 MV Cominoland
MV Cominoland, Xatt l-Aħmar, Gozo: a former minelayer and Comino ferry scuttled in 2006, upright on sand at 32 to 40 metres.
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7 MV Karwela
MV Karwela, Xatt l-Aħmar, Gozo: a 1957 passenger ferry scuttled in 2006, upright at 30 to 40 metres and reached from the shore.
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8 MV Odile
MV Odile (SS Margit), Kalkara: a Second World War wreck sunk in a 1941 air raid, a 22-metre harbour shore dive with low visibility.
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9 MV Xlendi
MV Xlendi, Xatt l-Aħmar, Gozo: a former Gozo ferry scuttled in 1999 that landed upside down at 32 to 42 metres. Do not go inside.
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10 Madonna
The Madonna statue, Ċirkewwa: an easy shore dive from Susie's Pool to a statue of Our Lady in a reef cave at about 18 metres.
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11 Mġarr ix-Xini
Mġarr ix-Xini, Gozo: a sheltered shore dive in a narrow bay with two caves, seagrass and small marine life to about 15 metres.
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12 P29 Patrol Boat
P29 patrol boat, Ċirkewwa: a former minesweeper scuttled in 2007, upright on sand at 12 to 35 metres and dived from the shore.
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13 Paradise Bay (Reef)
Paradise Bay Reef at Ċirkewwa: an easy shore dive with boulder fields, swim-throughs and the White Arch, mostly between 10 and 18 metres.
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14 Qawra Point (Reef)
Qawra Point Reef: a sheltered, shallow shore dive at the tip of St Paul's Bay, good for training, with Fra Ben Cave and a small wall nearby.
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15 Reqqa Point
Reqqa Point, Gozo: a deep shore wall dive at the island's northern tip with big groupers, caves and excellent visibility. For experienced divers.
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16 Rozi Tug Boat
The Rozi tug wreck at Ċirkewwa: an intact harbour tug scuttled in 1992, lying upright at 30 to 36 metres and reached from the shore.
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17 Scorpion Cave
Scorpion Cave in Anchor Bay: a shallow shore dive into a wide cavern with an air pocket and a domed ceiling, suitable for all levels.
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18 The Two Tugs
The Two Tugs at Marsaskala: St Michael and Tug 10, two harbour tugs scuttled in 1998, lying upright at about 20 metres off Żonqor Point.
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19 Tug 2
Tug 2 off Exiles, Sliema: a Grand Harbour tugboat scuttled in 2013, lying at about 22 metres and reached from the shore. Wheelhouse swim-throughs.
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20 Twin Arches
Twin Arches off Marsalforn, Gozo: two stacked rock arches between 20 and 34 metres on a deep reef, reached from Xwejni Bay or by boat.
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21 Um El Faroud
Um El Faroud, Wied iz-Żurrieq: a 110m tanker scuttled in 1998 after a fatal dockyard explosion, lying upright between 15 and 36 metres.
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22 X127 Lighter
The X127 lighter off Manoel Island: a 1915 lighter sunk in 1942, lying on a slope from 5 to 22 metres in Marsamxett Harbour, reached from the shore.
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23 Ċirkewwa Arch
Ċirkewwa Arch: a popular Malta shore dive to a natural rock arch at 12–20 metres, close to the Rozi and P29 wrecks.
Depth, entry and nearby sites
Frequently asked questions
Can you shore dive in Malta without a guide?
Yes, certified divers can dive independently from the shore in Malta, but you'll need to rent tanks from a dive centre. Diving with a buddy and a surface marker buoy is strongly advised.