Sultan Rock - Comino
Saxon Reef is one of those spots we always point people towards when they ask about the Outer Reef. It’s got a real mix of topography, from gentle slopes to some dramatic drop-offs, keeping things interesting even on repeat dives. We’ve had some cracking drifts along its eastern edge, just soaring over huge gardens of staghorn coral, the light playing through the branches. Look closely in those areas for Greensnout Parrotfish munching away, their colours really pop against the blues. What we particularly love about Saxon is the consistent visibility, usually 20m plus, which makes spotting those cruising whitetip reef sharks much easier. Keep an eye out for Johnston Island Damsels darting around the brain corals; they're tiny but spirited. Our favourite time to hit Saxon is mid-morning, just as the sun is getting high, illuminating all those stony corals. It’s a cracker of a dive for anyone who appreciates healthy coral architecture and a good chance to spot some reef sharks.
- Location
- Comino, Malta, Mediterranean & Europe
- Coordinates
- 36.006668, 14.353333
- Type
- reef
Marine Protected Area: Għaram tar- Ramel fir-Ramla tat-Torri, limiti tal Mellieħa
Best Time to Dive in Comino
The warmest water temperatures in Comino occur in August, averaging 28.1°C. The coolest conditions are in March at 15.3°C.
Monthly Water Temperatures
- January: 16.4°C
- February: 15.5°C
- March: 15.3°C
- April: 16.2°C
- May: 18.7°C
- June: 22.9°C
- July: 26.9°C
- August: 28.1°C
- September: 27.3°C
- October: 24.9°C
- November: 22.2°C
- December: 19.3°C
Nearby Dive Sites in Comino
- ABINGDON - 14m (wreck)
- Alex's Cave Dive Site (cave)
- Anadrian - 60m (wreck)
- Anchor Reef Dive Site (reef)
- ANTONIO E FRANCESCO - 55m (wreck)
- BARGE 1 - 60m (wreck)
- Bengħisa Patch (reef)
- Bengħisa Reef (reef)
- BLACK PEARL - 2m (wreck)
- BLENHEIM BOMBER - 28m (wreck)
- Blue Lagoon Tunnel Dive Site (cave)
- Blue Waters Dive Cove - 5-20m (reef)
- BRISTOL BEAUFIGHTER - 35m (wreck)
- CAROLINA - 11m (wreck)
- Ċirkewwa Arch Dive Site (cave)
Nearest Dive Centres to Sultan Rock
- ABC Diving - PADI
- Aquamarina
- Aquatica Scuba Diving
- Atlantis Diving Centre - PADI, BSAC, VDST, TDI
- Blue Waters Dive Cove - ["PADI"]
- Bubbles Dive Shop
Marine Life in Comino
Home to 24 recorded species including 12 reef fish, 4 sharks & rays, 2 whales & dolphins, 2 seagrass & algae, 2 hard corals, 1 other.
Notable Species
- Painted Comber (Serranus scriba) - Reef Fish
- Wrasse (Coris julis) - Reef Fish
- Parrotfish (Sparisoma cretense) - Reef Fish
- Ornate Wrasse (Thalassoma pavo) - Reef Fish
- loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)
- Salema (Sarpa salpa) - Reef Fish
- Garrupa (Serranus cabrilla) - Reef Fish
- Dusky grouper (Epinephelus marginatus) - Reef Fish
- Blue-white Dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) - Whales & Dolphins
- Mediterranean tapeweed (Posidonia oceanica) - Seagrass & Algae
- Cowfish (Tursiops truncatus) - Whales & Dolphins
- Damsel fish (Chromis chromis) - Reef Fish
- sting ray (Dasyatis pastinaca) - Sharks & Rays
- killer alga (Caulerpa taxifolia) - Seagrass & Algae
- Marbled Spinefoot (Siganus rivulatus) - Reef Fish
- dogfish (Scyliorhinus canicula) - Sharks & Rays
- Moonfish (Mola mola) - Reef Fish
- Scarlet Coral (Balanophyllia (Balanophyllia) europaea) - Hard Corals
- Red coral (Corallium rubrum) - Soft Corals
- Bushy Coral (Cladocora caespitosa) - Hard Corals
Recommended Packing List for Sultan Rock
Based on average water temperature of 21.1°C, currents 2 cm/s.
- Wetsuit (3-5mm) - comfortable for 21°C water
- Mask - essential for every dive
- Fins
- BCD - buoyancy compensator
- Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
- Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
- Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
- Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
- Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories