Diving in Gozo
Why dive here
Gozo is a diving destination where divers can encounter dolphins, ocean sunfish (mola mola) and sea turtles. Water ranges 15-28°C, warmest July, August, September.
Gozo. Ah, Gozo. This little island just off Malta packs a serious punch for divers. We love that it feels a bit more laid-back than the main island, like diving just got a dose of chill. The Blue Hole and Inland Sea are, without a doubt, the headliners here. Dropping into the Blue Hole feels like entering another dimension, especially when sunlight pierces the water, illuminating the sheer rock walls. You drift through a colossal archway, often spotting hefty dusky groupers lurking in the shadows, then emerge into the open sea. The Inland Sea, on the other hand, is a proper adventure; you enter through a narrow tunnel, often with marbled electric rays camouflaged on the sandy bottom, then pop out into a vast, sun-drenched lagoon. Beyond the famous spots, don't miss the chance to explore the numerous caves and wrecks. Our favourite is probably the Um El Faroud wreck, a seriously impressive artificial reef now home to schools of salema and painted comber. Visibility is usually superb, often 20 metres plus, especially from spring through autumn, and the water temperature can hit a pleasant 26°C in late summer. Currents are generally manageable, but keep an eye on the forecast, especially near exposed points. We'd suggest getting there early for the Blue Hole to avoid the crowds - it’s a popular spot for a reason.
Gozo Dive Site Map
Dive sites and dive centres in Gozo
Gozo Dive Sites
69 dive sites in Gozo
ARIANNA PRIMA
The Arianna Prima, a stern trawler with a history stretching back to 1970, lies shallow in Gozo’s waters, making it an ideal wreck for less experienced divers or those looking for a relaxed second dive. At just 7 metres deep, we love how the sunlight still filters down, illuminating the vessel's structure. You can fin slowly over the deck, spotting the remnants of fishing gear and imagining its working life. We found plenty of little nudibranchs clinging to the metal, and small groups of damselfish flitting through the superstructure. It’s not a dramatic drop-off, but the wreck creates its own ecosystem, drawing in juvenile fish seeking shelter. Our pick for this site? Take your time. Look inside the wheelhouse if you can, peer into the holds. The Arianna Prima offers a gentle introduction to wreck diving, showing how quickly a sunken vessel can become part of the underwater landscape, providing homes for marine life.
ARSIA
Arsia, off Gozo's coast, is a shallow wreck, only 6m deep, making it a good spot for newer divers or those looking for a longer bottom time. The site is an old fishing vessel, now broken up and scattered across the seabed. You'll find moray eels and octopus hiding in the crevices, with schools of damselfish flitting over the remaining metalwork. It’s an easy dive, often combined with others nearby.
Big Bear-Little Bear
The Big Bear-Little Bear dive site, tucked away in Gozo, offers a quiet exploration for those looking for a relaxed dive. We’ve found it’s usually pretty sheltered, making for calm conditions even when other spots are choppy. Keep an eye out for the Dusky groupers that often lurk in the crevices, and we’ve spotted Mediterranean slipper lobsters tucked under ledges too. It’s a nice option for a second dive or if you want to take your time looking for smaller stuff like the vivid Sunset cup corals.
Billinghurst Cave
Billinghurst Cave on Gozo is one of those dives that sticks with you, a bit of an adventure from the get-go. We usually head out there when the sea's calm enough for the entry ladder, which can be a bit of a scramble if there’s any chop. Once inside, the cave opens up, and you’re looking at some impressive rock formations, often with dusky groupers lurking in the shadows. We’ve spotted loggerhead turtles cruising by the entrance on occasion, and the walls are home to patches of bushy and scarlet coral. It’s a great pick for divers comfortable in an overhead environment, offering a solid cave experience without being overly challenging.
Billinghurst Cave
Billinghurst Cave is a Gozo staple, and for good reason. We’ve found the entry can be a bit of a scramble depending on conditions, but once you’re in, the cave itself is pretty straightforward, an easy swim-through for anyone comfortable in an overhead environment. You’ll often spot dusky groupers here, tucked into crevices, and we’ve seen plenty of salema schooling in the bluer light near the entrance. Keep an eye on the walls for the scarlet and sunset cup corals, they really pop. It’s a solid dive, a nice, relaxed penetration, perfect for a second dive of the day or when you’re looking for something a bit less current-exposed.
Blue Grotto
The Blue Grotto, over on Malta’s south coast, is one of those sites that sounds a bit like a tourist trap, but beneath the surface, it’s genuinely captivating. We’ve done it a few times, always early in the morning. That’s when the sun really does its thing, shooting those incredible shafts of electric blue light down into the cavern. It’s not just a subtle glow; it's like someone’s rigged up neon lights underwater. The entry can be a bit of a scramble depending on where your boat drops you, but once you’re in, it’s all about following that light. We love finning through the main cave, looking up at the archway at about 15 metres. There’s a certain peaceful hum in there, a quiet stillness that feels different from an open reef dive. You'll spot painted combers tucked into crevices, and our favourite, the scarlet coral, a beautiful deep red against the blue. Keep an eye out for butterfly blennies bobbing their heads; they're everywhere if you look closely. Visibility usually holds around 20 metres, making those light rays even more dramatic. It’s a gentle dive, really, more about the atmosphere than spotting big pelagics, though we have seen barracuda cruise by the entrance. This one suits divers who appreciate unique topography and the magic of natural light play.
Blue Grotto
Carbón is one of those surprisingly tranquil spots, a pleasant escape from the city bustle. We're not talking vibrant coral here, but rather a sandy expanse that, for the observant diver, delivers a quiet charm. Our pick for a relaxed afternoon dive, especially for those new to temperate waters or photographers who like to slow down. Don't come expecting wall-to-wall fish; Carbón is more about the details. We've spent easy dives here, finning slowly over the rippled sand, spotting barred pipefish blending perfectly with the bottom. Keep your eyes peeled for the Pacific speckled crabs scuttling past, and we've often seen small schools of anchovy shimmering overhead, creating a silver ceiling. The max depth of 13m and general lack of current make it an ideal site for stretching out your bottom time, giving you ample opportunity to really hunt for those smaller critters. Visibility averages a modest 4m, so it’s not a site for grand vistas, but it’s perfect for focusing on macro life and enjoying the calm.
Blue Hole
Dropping into Gozo’s Blue Hole, you’re enveloped by the deep azure, a stark contrast to the surrounding rock formations. It’s less about abundant reef life here and more about the geology, the play of light as you descend through the chimney into open water. We often find schooling damselfish darting around the entrance. It’s a site for those who appreciate dramatic seascapes and the thrill of navigating an unusual natural formation.
Bottleneck Cave (Dive Site)
Bottleneck Cave offers a taste of Gozo's cavern diving without feeling too intense. We usually drop in from a small boat, descending onto a sandy patch that leads directly to the cave mouth. Inside, the light plays nicely, revealing patches of scarlet coral and bushy coral, often with painted combers darting in and out. Keep an eye out for slipper lobsters tucked away in crevices, and dusky groupers often hang near the exit. It’s a good option for divers comfortable in overhead environments but not looking for a full-on penetration dive.
Calypso Cave
Calypso Cave isn't the biggest show in Gozo, but it offers a genuinely pleasant dive, especially if you’re looking for a relaxed exploration. We usually fin around the cave mouth, where the light plays nicely with the deeper blues. You’ll spot plenty of Painted Combers darting about, and the Wrasse are always curious. Look a little closer and you might catch a Slender Seagrass swaying gently, or even a sleepy Mediterranean Slipper Lobster tucked into a crevice. It’s a good spot for a second dive of the day, or for newer divers getting comfortable in Gozo’s waters.
Cathedral Cave
Cathedral Cave, just off Xwejni Bay, is a Gozo favourite, and we can see why. It’s a proper cavern, not a full cave, so you get all the drama of overhead environments without the squeeze. The main chamber is huge, opening up into a massive dome where the light plays beautifully through the entrance. Look up, and you’ll often spot salema schooling near the surface, their scales flashing. Deeper inside, it gets darker, but your torch will pick out ornate wrasse and dusky groupers tucked into crevices. We’ve even seen a slipper lobster or two if you look closely enough. It’s a relatively shallow dive, making it great for newer divers wanting to try a cavern, but there’s enough to explore to keep experienced divers happy too.
Cave of Wheat
The Cave of Wheat, or Għar il-Qamħ as it’s known locally, is a decent shore dive on Gozo’s north coast. You’ll find the entrance opens up into a large chamber, usually a good spot to shelter from any surface chop. Inside, the main draw is the light play, especially on a sunny day when the sunbeams cut through the water, illuminating the walls. We often see dusky groupers lurking in the shadows and common spiny lobsters tucked into crevices. It’s a pretty easy dive, suitable for those looking for a relaxing exploration rather than anything too dramatic.
Gozo Dive Centres
15 dive shops and operators in Gozo
ASD POSEIDON DIVING LAMPEDUSA
Blue Waters Dive Cove
Calypso Diving
Diving Center
Extra Divers Gozo
MEDITERRANEAN ADVENTURES LTD
Nike Diving Center
OceanoMare diving center
Ocean Wildlife in Gozo
22 species recorded in Gozo
Gozo Daylight & Sunrise/Sunset
Sunrise and sunset times for Gozo, calculated from coordinates
Today - Monday 24 August
Sunrise
05:29
Sunset
18:44
Daylight
13h 15m
Golden Hour
18:09
First light (dawn) at 05:02 · Last light (dusk) at 19:11
Monthly Averages
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 07:14 | 17:11 | 9h 56m |
| Feb | 06:53 | 17:43 | 10h 50m |
| Mar | 06:17 | 18:10 | 11h 53m |
| Apr | 05:32 | 18:36 | 13h 4m |
| May | 04:59 | 19:02 | 14h 3m |
| JunLongest | 04:46 | 19:22 | 14h 36m |
| Jul | 04:57 | 19:22 | 14h 25m |
| AugNow | 05:21 | 18:56 | 13h 36m |
| Sep | 05:45 | 18:14 | 12h 29m |
| Oct | 06:09 | 17:30 | 11h 21m |
| Nov | 06:39 | 16:57 | 10h 18m |
| DecShortest | 07:07 | 16:50 | 9h 43m |
Times are approximate local times based on longitude. Actual times may vary slightly depending on the exact timezone observed in Gozo.
Where to Stay near Gozo
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Marine Protected Areas near Gozo
81 protected areas near Gozo - please respect local regulations when diving
Żona fil-Baħar fl-inħawi tal-Graben ta’ Medina
Żona fil-Baħar fl-inħawi tal-Graben ta’ Medina
Żona fil-Baħar fin-Nofsinhar
Żona fil-Baħar fin-Nofsinhar
Żona fil-Baħar fil-Lvant
Żona fil-Baħar fil-Lvant
Żona fil-Baħar madwar Għawdex
Żona fil-Baħar madwar Għawdex
Żona fil-Baħar fil-Punent
Żona fil-Baħar fil-Punent
Żona fil-Baħar fl-inħawi tal-Graben tat-Tramuntana ta’ Għawdex
Żona fil-Baħar fl-inħawi tal-Graben tat-Tramuntana ta’ Għawdex
Showing 12 largest of 81
Getting to Gozo
Valletta
Catania
Palermo
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