The Canyon - Malta Island
Dropping into The Canyon, you're immediately struck by the sheer walls carved into the seabed. It’s a sheltered spot, making it a good choice when the northwesterlies are blowing. Look for octopus tucked into crevices and the occasional nudibranch creeping along the rock faces. This site is ideal for less experienced divers or those looking for a relaxed second dive.
- Location
- Malta Island, Malta, Mediterranean & Europe
- Coordinates
- 35.966430, 14.407786
Marine Protected Area: Il-Gżejjer ta\' San Pawl (Selmunett), 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
- Ahrax Bay - 5-15m (reef)
- 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
Nearest Dive Centres to The Canyon
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 The Canyon
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