The Washing Machine - Gozo

The Washing Machine, near Xwejni Bay, certainly lives up to its name. You'll drop into a channel where surge pushes and pulls you through a series of rocks and small caverns, mimicking a gentle tumble cycle. It's a shallow dive, maxing out around 12 metres, but the movement means you stay alert. Look for painted combers and wrasse darting between the rocks, and if you’re lucky, a slipper lobster tucked into a crevice. We’d suggest this one for divers comfortable with current and a bit of a ride, especially if you’re looking for something a bit different from Gozo’s usual caves and wrecks.

Location
Gozo, Malta, Mediterranean & Europe
Coordinates
36.079790, 14.246585
Type
drift

Marine Protected Area: Il-Bajja tax-Xlendi

Best Time to Dive in Gozo

The warmest water temperatures in Gozo occur in August, averaging 27.7°C. The coolest conditions are in March at 15.3°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 16.4°C
  • February: 15.3°C
  • March: 15.3°C
  • April: 16.1°C
  • May: 18.5°C
  • June: 22.6°C
  • July: 26.3°C
  • August: 27.7°C
  • September: 27.1°C
  • October: 24.5°C
  • November: 22.0°C
  • December: 18.9°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Gozo

Nearest Dive Centres to The Washing Machine

Marine Life in Gozo

Home to 24 recorded species including 12 reef fish, 3 hard corals, 2 whales & dolphins, 2 seagrass & algae, 2 sharks & rays, 1 other.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for The Washing Machine

Based on average water temperature of 20.9°C, currents 9 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