Yes, we’ve really narrowed it down. It’s not diving in the Maltese Islands. It’s not even diving in Gozo. Dwejra in Gozo is the hottest spot for diving in the Mediterranean region.

It is simple to understand why it was so easy to pick this prime dive site as the top. No other place offers so much variety to explore underwater. Its geomorphological features include four sinkholes and a variety of caverns, tunnels, arches, chimneys and swim-throughs, all at different depths to suit all levels. Indeed, it would take several dives to fully explore the area.

The dive sites include the world-famous Blue Hole and the Inland Sea Tunnel, which are two of the sinkholes, the others being Berwin and Dwejra Bay. While these offer a great topology, the Crocodile rock offers a variety of Mediterranean marine life. A brand new attraction is the recently collapsed Azure Window, one of Malta’s great icons.

In addition, Dwejra also has several more attractions above ground, such as the famous Fungus Rock.

The Blue Hole

Enjoy the mesmerising display of shafts of sunlight playing upon the walls of this 16 metres deep and 10 metres wide sinkhole, which is considered one of the best dive sites in the Maltese Islands. Starting in an open reservoir, dive down 6 metres along its vertical walls and head out to the open sea through a Golden Cup Coral-adorned arch in the north-west. On your way, peek into the cavern in the south-east, right opposite the arch. But beware: it is home to Moray and Conger eels!

The Inland Sea Tunnel

Be amazed by further play of light in an unusual ambiance of coral and sponges. Start at the Inland sea, another sinkhole measuring up to 400 metres in diameter, and venture through an 80-metre tunnel to the open sea. Emerge in open water and along the reef at 30 meters to admire abundant marine life, including octopus, barracuda and parrotfish.

Note: do bring a dive torch; keep left as you head out (right as you head in); and avoid surfacing as you will share the tunnel with boats!

The Crocodile Rock

Thankfully, there are no actual crocodiles but this rock sure looks like there’s one lurking in the water when viewed from a certain angle. Swim from the shore to the Crocodile rock to the right of the famous Fungus Rock to enjoy abundant marine life: groupers, bream, shoals of salema, barracuda, amberjacks, dentex and other species. Most of these live at depths of 18 metres or more, so this is suitable for advanced divers.

The Azure Window ruins

The already awesome dive location of Dwejra became even more exciting the day of 8 March 2017 when the Azure Window natural arch collapsed into the sea. Prepare to be impressed by the massive chunks of sharp-edged rocks and jagged pillars strewn across the seabed, their sheer size awe-inspiring. Reaching from a depth of 52 metres to 5 metres, the intricate structure came to include canyons and passages that can be explored by divers of all levels. Marine life is taking over at a steady pace and the Azure Window will eventually become a stunning natural reef.

A knock-out underwater tour

Avid diver Joseph Caruana recommends:

“Divers who are good on air can start their dive at the Inland Sea; stay in shallower waters (and, not venture below 20m); proceed along the wall to their left as they swim out of the tunnel; pass by Gћar ix-Xiћ (Old Man's cave); and then come upon the remains of the Azure Window, surfacing at the Blue Hole. CCR divers can enjoy a great dive starting from the Inland Sea, and proceeding as above, although they can also venture deeper and return to the Inland Sea for their exit.”