Ahrax Bay - Malta Island
Ahrax Bay offers a straightforward shore dive, ideal for those looking to get wet without much fuss. We've found the shallow entry gives way to a gently sloping seabed, mostly sand and scattered rocks. Keep an eye out for small octopuses tucked away and the occasional stingray buried in the sand. It’s a solid choice for a relaxed second dive or for divers getting comfortable with shore entries.
- Location
- Malta Island, Malta, Mediterranean & Europe
- Coordinates
- 35.996850, 14.366201
- Type
- reef
- Maximum Depth
- 5-15m
Marine Protected Area: Għaram tar- Ramel fir-Ramla tat-Torri, limiti tal Mellieħa
Best Time to Dive in Malta Island
The warmest water temperatures in Malta Island occur in January, averaging 16.8°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 16.8°C.
Monthly Water Temperatures
- January: 16.8°C (air: 13.8°C)
- February: 16.8°C (air: 13.8°C)
- March: 16.8°C (air: 14.3°C)
- April: 16.8°C (air: 16.2°C)
- May: 16.8°C (air: 19.8°C)
- June: 16.8°C (air: 24.1°C)
- July: 16.8°C (air: 27.2°C)
- August: 16.8°C (air: 27.7°C)
- September: 16.8°C (air: 25.6°C)
- October: 16.8°C (air: 22.3°C)
- November: 16.8°C (air: 19.1°C)
- December: 16.8°C (air: 15.8°C)
Nearby Dive Sites in Malta Island
- Anchor Bay (Dive Site) (reef)
- Balluta Bay (Dive Site) (reef)
- BARGE 2 - 60m (wreck)
- Cirkewwa - Outer Reef (Dive Site) (reef)
- Cirkewwa - Susie's Pool and Reef (Dive Site) (reef)
- Dragonara cave (cave)
- Filflette (Dive Site)
- Ghar Lapsi - Left Reef (Dive Site) (reef)
- HMS KINGSTON - 5m (wreck)
- HMSM STUBBORN - 51m (wreck)
- HMS Stubborn (wreck)
- IMPERIAL EAGLE - 28m (wreck)
- Is-Sikka l-Bajda
- Is-Sikka tal-Qawwi
- Jesus of Qawra
Nearest Dive Centres to Ahrax Bay
Marine Life in Malta Island
Home to 62 recorded species including 39 reef fish, 4 hard corals, 4 whales & dolphins, 3 seagrass & algae, 2 other, 2 crabs & lobsters.
Notable Species
- Painted Comber (Serranus scriba) - Reef Fish
- Wrasse (Coris julis) - Reef Fish
- Parrotfish (Sparisoma cretense) - Reef Fish
- Ornate Wrasse (Thalassoma pavo) - Reef Fish
- Salema (Sarpa salpa) - Reef Fish
- Garrupa (Serranus cabrilla) - Reef Fish
- loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)
- Dusky grouper (Epinephelus marginatus) - Reef Fish
- Damsel fish (Chromis chromis) - Reef Fish
- Mediterranean tapeweed (Posidonia oceanica) - Seagrass & Algae
- killer alga (Caulerpa taxifolia) - Seagrass & Algae
- Marbled Spinefoot (Siganus rivulatus) - Reef Fish
- Scarlet Coral (Balanophyllia (Balanophyllia) europaea) - Hard Corals
- Bushy Coral (Cladocora caespitosa) - Hard Corals
- Red coral (Corallium rubrum) - Soft Corals
- Common Spiny Lobster (Palinurus elephas) - Crabs & Lobsters
- Sunset cup coral (Leptopsammia pruvoti) - Hard Corals
- Tub (Chelidonichthys lucerna) - Reef Fish
- Butterfly blenny (Blennius ocellaris) - Reef Fish
- Lanternfish (Hygophum benoiti) - Reef Fish
Recommended Packing List for Ahrax Bay
Based on average water temperature of 16.8°C.
- Wetsuit (5-7mm) - recommended for 17°C water
- Hood & Gloves (3-5mm) - helps retain warmth
- 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