We
would like to welcome you to our PADI 5 Star IDC Dive Center.
Buddies is the premier centre for scuba diving in Malta, Gozo
and Comino.
Buddies
is a family run dive school & shop on the northern coast of
Malta, with the islands of Gozo and Comino just minutes away by boat.
Together with our team of highly qualified Padi Instructors we pride
ourselves in giving you our personal attention to
ensure that your scuba diving Malta experience is a total success.
Whether you are interested in a Discover Scuba Diving session, joining
one of our Padi Open Water Diver courses or becoming a Padi Open Water
Scuba Instructor, you are assured that we will meet your expectations
while maintaining the highest possible standards of diver safety
and education.
If
you just want to dive the jewel of the Mediterranean on your vacation
in Malta, we run daily boat and shore dives around the three islands.
While we are taking care of all the logistics, you
can go ahead and enjoy wrecks, caverns, reefs and the spectacular
underwater landscape that the Maltese islands are famous for. For the
more Technical-Diving minded, we offer internationally recognised tek
diver training and Nitrox / Trimix facilities.
Check
out our special offer on escorted dives using Nitrox 32% this SUMMER
and contact us
if you require further information.
Buddies Dive Cove - the premier centre for
scuba diving in Malta.
24/2, Pioneer Road, Bugibba SPB 2808 - Malta Tel: (+356) 2157 6266/ 2757 6266
Fax: (+356) 2157 1042 Mobile: (+356)
9947 8975
Looking for a scuba diving centre in Malta? Want to go scuba diving in
Gozo, Comino or Malta? If you are looking to be trained and dive with
some of the very best dive instructors in Malta and want to experience
scuba diving off the coast of Gozo and Comino; Buddies is here for you.
With the very finest dive centre covering the islands we look forward
to showing you the best way to dive, with true personal attention at
our number one diving centre for Malta and the islands
The Maltese Islands are situated in the southern central Mediterranean
95km (60 miles) south of Sicily and only a three-hour flight from
Britain. Collectively known as Malta, the three islands of Malta, Gozo
and Comino have a population of 350,000, 98 per cent of whom follow the
Catholic faith. The islands are incredibly rich in history, boasting
the oldest standing ruins in Europe (3,400 BC) at Mnajdra Temple on
Malta and Ggantija on Gozo.
Subject to many conquests over the years - by the Phoenicians,
Carthaginians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans, Spanish and French - the
islands were ruled for more than 200 years by the Knights of St John,
who left their mark in the form of the massively fortified town of
Valletta, numerous fabulous cathedrals and a system of forts in
strategic positions. During the Second World War, the islands were once
more under siege, and in 1942 the people of Malta were awarded the
George Cross for their outstanding bravery. Now fully independent, the
islanders speak a curious mixture of Arabic and Latin, known as Malti.
English is spoken everywhere, however, and German in most hotels and
dive centres.
Once the top overseas diving destination for Brits, Malta used to
provide many with their first taste of (semi) tropical diving. Compared
to our northern climes, the Mediterranean was seen as a great place to
explore, with exceptionally clear and warm water. But then it fell out
of favour. Scare stories of massive pollution, no fish, devastated
corals and poor visibility throughout the Mediterranean, combined with
the ready availability of diving in the Red Sea, resulted in a decline
in diver numbers. Now, I'm delighted to say, Malta appears to have
weathered the storm and is at last seeing a resurgence in popularity.
Unlike many other areas of the Mediterranean, Malta still provides
first-class diving, with stunning topography, varied marine life and
good visibility. Increasing numbers of British divers are coming to
realise this - and that the islands offer a cheap and more accessible
alternative to the Red Sea. I, for one, would have no problem
recommending Malta as a great destination, whether you're a learner, a
more experienced diver or a marine photographer.
There are around 25 registered dive centres on the islands which, for
the most part, are very professional with many years' experience. All
have weekly training courses. In addition, diving is remarkably cheap:
several dive centres can offer amazing weekly packages for less than
£95, to include all accommodation and unlimited diving.
Getting there won't break the bank either, with affordable flights from
all over the UK, while eating out costs at least 30 per cent less than
in Britain and is generally of a high standard. As for the diving
itself, Malta has some of the most scenic sites I have ever
encountered, with wonderful walls, spectacular natural archways, caves,
caverns and wrecks. Fish life is much more profuse than I'd been led to
believe, with huge shoals of damselfish, bream, bogue and smelt at most
sites and a resident school of barracuda at San Dimitri Point on Gozo.
Night diving is very popular and most dive centres offer several trips
a week. There have been problems in the past with visiting divers
applying for dive permits (which allow you to dive without a
Maltese-registered instructor) and letting the lure of going deep
override their commonsense. The vast number of underwater caves
and caverns have claimed their fair share of victims, too. As a result,
it's recommended that all visitors dive only with a qualified guide who
knows the area well. Malta is the largest of the three islands, at 27km
(17 miles) long by 14km (9 miles) wide. The diving is predominantly in
three main areas: north of the Marfa ridge; Qawra to Meliena; and, to a
lesser extent, Valletta Harbour and a few isolated sites on the south
and east coasts.
Most of the diving can be done from the shore and the majority of sites
have fairly easy access, but a number are only for the extremely
energetic, with long walks down steep cliffs. There are also some very
deep wrecks, such as HMS Stubborn and HMS Southwold, which are not
described here as they're considered too deep for the average sport
diver on holiday.
The caves and cliffs to the south-west are spectacular and the tiny
island of Filfla - once used for target practice during the war, now a
nature reserve - is still relatively unexplored (permits are needed).
The surrounding waters are littered with armaments, but one or two dive
centres, including the local British Sub-Aqua Club branch, regularly
visit the waters around the island.
North of the Marfa Ridge
Cirkewwa, or Marfa Point as it's more commonly known, is a mecca both
for dive training and for more experienced divers keen to visit the
wreck of the tugboat Rozi. At the time of writing, however, major
redevelopment work is scheduled for the area around the ferry port,
with an extension being made to the existing harbour, and there's a
possibility that several of the most popular sites may be lost to
divers. It will probably take several years to complete the work, so
enjoy the diving here while you can.
Marfa Point has six sites, each with its own characteristics: a natural
arch to the north of the ferry pier, the Rozi, the training pool, the
Madonna statue, the chimney and Paradise Bay.
Maltese diving Sites
1 Cirkewwa Arch
Seldom dived, as most divers tend never to go beyond the Rozi, this
archway is located along the edge of the protective reef and set back
from the drop-off. The arch is the crowning glory of the dive as the
rest of the reef is made up of a thick algae fuzz and posidonia beds.
2 The Rozi
Accessed from the shore by an old iron pier, the Rozi was sunk
deliberately in 1992 as an attraction for tourists taking a submarine
trip around the area. Sadly, the trips have stopped due to escalating
costs, but this wonderful little tugboat sits perfectly upright on a
sandy bottom inside a rocky amphitheatre, with the level deck at 30m.
The ship is slowly being colonised and all areas are accessible.
Surrounding the ship are thousands of fish, with chromis, bream and
sand smelt the predominant species. Huge anemones (Condylactis
aurantica) cover the flat sandy sea-bed around the wreck.
3 The Madonna
This statue of the Virgin Mary was donated, and placed by the
Amphibians Diving Club. It sits in a small natural cavern in 18m of
water. As you continue out towards the point from the Madonna, you'll
come to some attractive overhangs covered in golden zoanthids
(Parazoanthus axinellae). These lead to a largish swim-through, which
can be negotiated all the way through the headland.
4 The Training Pool
Access is via a concrete ramp down to the water. A short swim takes you
into the first of two small valleys between the rocky reefs where much
of the dive training takes place. If you continue over to your left and
then out to sea, you'll reach the edge of the wall with a large
overhanging shelf.
5 The Chimney
Further round to the left beyond the first headland you'll come across
a fissure where you can find moray eels (Muraena helena) and coral
shrimps (Stenopus spinosus). The fissure runs towards a large cavern
with four narrow exits, which is very photogenic. The site is great for
night dives and quite safe.
6 Paradise Bay
You'll need to take a hike over very sharp fossilised rock south of the
car-park before you can start this dive, which goes around the headland
to the north and follows the edge of the wall. The shallows are always
filled with thousands of juvenile fish, but beware of fishermen who
feed them to attract them closer to their bait. Divers should keep
clear of all fishing areas.
Qawra to Millieha
7 Dragonnara Cave (Coral Grotto/ L'Ahrax Point)
This is a popular dive with photographers as there are some beautiful
scenic views looking out to sea from inside the caverns. The boat
anchors in around 10m and from there it's a short swim to the outside
cavern. A tunnel at 5 to 7m leads to a mini inland sea which is open to
the sky. Being almost completely land-locked, the water is often a few
degrees warmer than outside, resulting in increased coral growth with
lots of golden cup corals (Astroides calycularis), false coral
(Myriapora truncata) and many different types of tubeworm and starfish.
8 Qawra Reef
Here, the dive boat can anchor on the reef lip in around 12m. Dropping
over the algae-covered rocks, you'll see there are five big caves to
explore, all indented about 10 to 12m into the rocky wall. The caverns
are safe for divers and the walls are covered in the sea rose algae
Pseudolithophyllum expansum) and the sea lace bryozoan (Sertella
septentrionalis). The marine goldfish (Anthia anthias), considered
quite rare around the islands, can be found here. Valletta Harbour Once
the scene of massive aerial bombardments during the Second World War,
Valletta Harbour is host to a large number of wrecks, most of which are
off-limits due to their location in major shipping lanes. Two of them,
however, HMS Maori and the barge Carolito, are perfect for exploration.
9 Barge Carolita (The Coral)
Probably mistaken for a submarine, the Carolita barge was struck in her
stern by a torpedo on the night of April 21, 1942. She sank immediately
and now rests facing up a steep, silty slope, her bow at 6m, her stern
at 22m. The deck is flat and covered in silt and there are two hatches
up front with restricted access. The engine room can be reached from
beneath the bridge or in through the damaged stern.
10 HMS Maori
Launched in 1937, HMS Maori saw considerable action in the Norwegian
Campaign, Atlantic convoys and the Mediterranean. On the night of
February 12, 1942, she received a direct hit into her engine room and
sank. Declared a hazard to navigation, she was subsequently 'wrecked'
and her guns removed. Part of the raised bridge is still there and,
from the rear, divers are able to gain relatively safe and easy access
to her remains with exit through the large holes in her starboard side.
There are still some live shells sticking out of the wreckage and mud,
which should not be touched.
South East Coast
11 Blenheim Bomber
Approximately 800m due east of Xorb Il-Ghagin, off south-east Malta, in
a depth of 42m, the remains of this aircraft are now on the list of
'essential things to see' for the experienced diver. The engine and
wings are intact, but the foresection of the fuselage has been smashed
off and now lies several metres in front of the main part of the
wreckage. Most of the Maltese operators visit this site.
12 Delimara Point
This very exposed site is at the extreme south-east of Malta, around
the flat wedge-shaped rock off the headland. A popular dive, as the
visibility is often the clearest of anywhere around the islands, the
wall drops down to around 12m. Here you should be able to find a
vertical fissure, which drops to the sea-bed among some huge
algae-covered boulders. 2
Gozo
Gozo is one of the most popular diving destinations in the
Mediterranean. At just over a quarter the size of Malta, the island is
15km long by 7km at its widest point and has a total of 43km of
coastline. The diving is incredibly scenic with some of the most
dramatic vertical cliff faces, natural arches and caves to be found
anywhere in the world.
Most of the diving is from the shore and several of the more popular
sheltered sites are prey to rainwater run-off. This can reduce the
underwater visibility to nil, due to the suspended particulate washed
down from the limestone hills and quarries. The north shore from
Marsalforn to the Ghasri Valley has deep water directly off the
limestone shore, so visibility is generally good, but by far the best
diving in all of the archipelago is at Dwejra Point.
To the south-west and south of Gozo, the land mass rears up vertically,
with few entry points except at Xlendi Bay. From St Andrew's Divers
Cove, much of the coastline is visited by dive boat as it's the only
way to reach the caves below, particularly towards the Ta Cenc Cliffs,
which are quite incredible.
Gozo Dive Sites
Dwejra Point
This area of western Gozo has several fantastic sites, a number of
which you'll want to return to time after time. Here, divers can visit
two of the natural wonders of the Mediterranean, the gigantic natural
arch known as the Azure Window, and the Inland Sea, a sheltered lagoon
cut by an awesome fissure running through the headland.
1 Fungus Rock
This massive lump of limestone, which can be reached only by boat, has
a hole running through the northern part of it. During the time of the
Knights of St John, a cable-car operated between the rock and the
mainland, enabling the Knights to collect a rare fungus (Cynomorium
coccineum), which is effective against dysentery. Underwater, the
scenery is as dramatic as above, with vertical walls, fissures, gullies
and caverns.
2 Crocodile Rock
Dive boats anchor on the top of the rocky reef between Crocodile Rock
and the shore, where the depth is around 7m. The rock platform here is
deeply grooved and covered in several species of marine algae.
Following the reef to the southern edge of the rock, there is a natural
amphitheatre with near vertical walls. Continue around to the right and
you'll find a number of deeply incised fissures, where the bottom of
the wall gives way to a steeply sloping sea-bed of huge algae-covered
boulders.
3 Coral Cave
This is a cave with a huge semi-circular opening, a sandy bottom and a
tumble of boulders beside the entrance. The silty sea-bed slopes up to
around 21m, where large, burrowing anemones (Cerianthus membranaceus)
can be found. Turning right, or to the north, you will then come to a
vertical wall which drops to 30m. Exit is via the Blue Hole.
4 The Blue Hole and The Chimney
The Blue Hole is a natural rock formation carved out over the centuries
by the action of the wind and water. Offering a sheltered entry, the
site has a huge, almost square archway covered in golden cup corals
(Parazoanthus axinellae). The large cave at the bottom of the hole is
also worth exploring. This dive leads you round to the left, or west,
until you reach a fissure in the near vertical wall. Follow the fissure
in and it will lead you into a chimney, which rises up through the reef
and has two exit points.
5 Azure Window
Looking up from the depths to the huge arch above the surface, you can
see how this site got its name. Large boulders lie below the archway
where they've fallen from above (which is somewhat disconcerting), but
the marine life is prolific and the rocky surfaces are covered in spiny
starfish (Marthasterias glacialis) and tiny tubeworms (Bispira
vulticornis). It's incredibly scenic here and divers tend to travel
around the headland and back to the Blue Hole, which is the best entry
and exit point.
6 Inland Sea
This site is often spoiled by rainwater run-off from the quarries in
the hills, but when conditions are perfect it's a fantastic dive
through a narrow canyon that stretches 80m through the headland to open
water beyond. The view of the deep blue ocean is spectacular. Around
the corner, to both the right and the left, further vertical fissures
in the cliff face can be explored at all levels.
7 San Dimitri Point
Just south of the point, the most westerly tip of Gozo, a shallow reef
juts out from a sheltered spike off the headland. Here a dive boat can
anchor in 6m and the reef top is perfect for completing any timed
safety stops at the end of your dive. Head out due west in open water
and you'll come across some massive shoals of barracuda (Sphyraena
sphyraena), then turn around and come back into the wall as it curves
around to the south.
8 The Blue Dome (Ghasri Valley/The Cathedral Cave)
The dive here goes from the right-hand side of the steeply sloping wall
at the mouth of the Ghasri Valley and is where I photographed my first
seahorse (Hippocampus ramulosus) in Malta. However, the best part of
the dive is the cave itself. Entry is only 5m below the surface and
leads you through to a huge dome where you can surface and have a chat
with your buddy. The sea-bed is covered in massive boulders and the
view to the outside 'blue' of the ocean is breathtaking.
9 Reqqa Point
Depending on the surge, access is either to the right or left of the
headland, but the dive is conducted by swimming around the headland to
the left. The wall here is near vertical in many places and is cut by
numerous fissures, caves and crevices. On the submarine section of the
headland there are two chimneys or holes, which drop down through the
wall. To the right of the sheltered inlet a chimney plunges through the
reef from 6 to 16m, and on the headland you'll find another, much
deeper chimney.
10 Twin Arches (Marsalforn Reef)
An extended rocky headland with two large archways. The first starts at
20m and directly underneath is the second, which stretches to the
sea-bed at 45m. The undersides of the arches are covered in small
colourful sponges and golden cup corals (Astroides calycularis) and the
fish life is prolific.
11 Fessej Rock (Black Rock)
Fessej Rock rises about 12m above the water and plunges 50m below into
a tumble of huge boulders. Boats can anchor by placing a chain around a
small rocky outcrop close to the surface. Essentially the dive is
around the rock, descending and then ascending in a spiral to bring you
back to the boat's mooring. Barracuda, tuna and grouper, as well as
octopus and lobster, can be found on this dive. This site is one of the
handful around the islands to which the government restricts access
primarily to conserve archaeological treasures. Permission can be
granted but it is often laborious to achieve. Your dive centre will
provide up-to-date information.
12 Mgarr Ix-Xini
This is a very popular dive with photographers due to the huge variety
of fish species, including flying gurnard (Dactylopterus volitans),
stargazers (Uranoscopus scaber), picarel (Spicara flexuosa) and
seahorses (Hippocampus ramulosus). There is also an interesting cave
about 100 along the right-hand wall at 14m, which travels quite far in
and has a sharp, narrow twist to the left at the end. The sheltered
valley and shallow depths make this a very popular site for night
dives.
13 Dawra tas-Sanap
A personal favourite, this is a deep cave and natural arch eroded from
the surrounding cliffs. At the bottom of the arch are some massive
boulders covered in colourful sponges. Swimming south from here at
around 20m, you'll find the massive semi-circular cavern. The wall
becomes vertical once more as you swim around to the bay on your left
and the water becomes much shallower, offering easy pick-up by the dive
boat.
14 Xlendi Cave and Reef
The dive starts with a swim through a tunnel that is only 2m deep in
Xlendi Bay and 6m on the other side. From here, you dive to the left,
to the outer, gentle drop-off, and around the reef which extends
underwater from the headland. Part of this forms a pinnacle which
should be avoided by boats. The cave is more popular at night, as it's
a pleasant easy dive in shallow water.
Comino
The island of Comino is situated mid-channel between Malta and Gozo and
is only 2sq km in size. The Blue Lagoon is legendary and countless
boats make the daily pilgrimage to the sheltered shallow lagoon nestled
between the main island of Comino and its smaller sister islet of
Cominotto.
The northern shore of Comino is cut by numerous caves and caverns, many
of which can be accessed both on the surface and underwater. All are
teeming with fish, and this is a very popular area with snorkellers for
feeding chromis, sand smelt and saddled bream. I don't agree with the
practice, but droves of snorkelling and diving tourists seem to love
the experience of being surrounded by thousands of fish which quite
clearly enjoy the bread and eggs from hotel breakfast tables!
On the south-west point, a small lighthouse marks a subterranean reef,
which drops vertically to a huge tumble of boulders with a superb
chimney dissecting the cliff. This is definitely the best site around
the small island and most dive centres will organise a boat trip from
either Malta or Gozo to dive this gem. (Comino does have its own dive
centre and arrangements can be made to coordinate catching the ferry
and the dive boat.)
1 Lighthouse Reef
The best dive on Comino, down from a low rocky shelf at 6m, where the
dive boat anchors. You start the dive at the entrance to a chimney,
which drops through the limestone plateau and exits at 16m. The tunnel
is wide enough for divers to manoeuvre without touching the sides and
here you will find white-tufted worms (Protula tubularia) and lots of
fireworms (Hermodice carunculata). The gravel base at the mouth of the
cavern has a small group of purple heart urchins (Spatangus purpureus),
while spiny starfish (Marthasterias glacialis) are common on the outer
boulders. These boulders have created huge caverns and swim-throughs.
2 Inner Lantern Point
A dramatic dive down a vertical wall to huge boulders and large patches
of posidonia. As you work along the wall, keeping it to your right, you
come to a vertical slash in the limestone with a shallow cave.
3 Crystal Lagoon
The dive here involves swimming through a tunnel that cuts through the
headland to the west of the island and back again. The bottom of the
tunnel is littered with boulders, so it's generally quite clear of
silt, but there are few fish in the area until you reach the sheltered
lagoon. Here, cuttlefish, flounders, weaverfish and gobies can be found
among the posidonia sea grass.
4 Cominotto Cave (Alex's Cave)
This is an interesting cave, with a sandy bottom and smooth sides
sculpted by wave action. A torch is recommended for the rather gloomy
15m swim from the entrance, but the chimney at the back of the cave
means, when the sea is flat calm, you can surface to natural light.
Look out for the algae debris that tends to collect on the floor of the
cave.
Essentials
Getting Around
The best bet is by hire car, which most people pick up at the airport
on arrival. You'll find Hertz, Avis and Budget here (Budget has a deal
with Air Malta), as well as many local firms, such as Westminster Car
Hire (356 577172) on Malta and ER Car Rental (356 559977) on Gozo.
A word of warning: Maltese roads are far from perfect and you should
check the tyres on your hire car, including the spare, before setting
off. Punctures are commonplace.
The ferry between Malta and Gozo runs from Cirkewwa at the extreme
north-westerly point of Malta to Mgarr Harbour on Gozo. This is a very
regular service which runs 24 hours a day from May to September. The
return trip costs Lm5:75 (£9) for car and driver and an
additional Lm1:75 (£2.70) per passenger. A small passenger
ferry goes from both Mgarr and Cirkewwa to Comino and costs Lm2
(£3) if you're not a resident.
Alternatively, Air Malta has a helicopter service from the airport on
Malta to Gozo. The Gozo hotels and dive centres can arrange pick-up and
transportation to avoid any driving at all. The dive centres can also
arrange taxi collection from the airport.
Emergency Info
For medical emergencies, including all decompression accidents, a
helicopter service is available with direct links to the police and
nearest hospital. Emergency services: 196 Hyperbaric unit: 356 234766
General Hospital, Gozo: 356 561600 St Luke's Hospital, Malta: 356
241251/247860
Who to dive with
There are around 25 diving operations registered with the Maltese
Ministry of Tourism, with a number of others (mainly German) operating
seasonally in various hotels. The full list is available in the UK from
the Malta Tourist Office (0171 292 4900) or from the Federation of
Underwater Activities in Malta (FUAM), PO Box 29, Gzira, Malta. All
visiting divers must have an up-to-date medical certificate. If you
know the islands well and wish to dive independently, it is necessary
to apply for a dive permit. Ask the Malta Tourist Office (see above)
for details.
Weather
Diving conditions around the islands are entirely dependent on the
prevailing winds, which are from the north-west or south-east and can
blow out half the dive sites at one time. The most settled period is
from June to September, when the sea temperature reaches
29¡C. A full suit is still required during the summer months,
while a drysuit is recommended in winter, as the sea temperature can
drop to as low as 13¡C . The clearest water is from November
to March, when it can exceed 50m.
Maltese Driving
Poking fun at themselves, a local song tells of Maltese drivers driving
in the shade. Let me tell you that it's true. In the land where the
Ford Anglia is king and where Triumph Heralds come to die, Maltese
drivers not only drive in the shade, but also avoid puddles, ignore
traffic lights and overtake going over the brow of a hill. What with
the faithful old Bedford and Leyland 'luxury' coaches taking visitors
around the islands, not to mention the numerous Ford Cortinas, Hillman
Imps and Rileys, this is a car connoisseur's dream island come true
(except for the driving).
Where to Stay
The registered dive centres either have their own accommodation or are
able to book any type you require, from a five-star hotel to a
converted farmhouse with swimming pool. The centres are more than able
to cater for large groups and can advise on which hotel would best suit
you. There are also a large numberof budget hotels with prices at
around Lm5 (£7.80) per night. Contact the Malta Tourist
Office on 0171 292 4900 for details.
Money
The exchange rate is approximately one pound sterling to 0.64 Maltese
lira or pound (written as Lm 0.64). The cost of living is very cheap -
about one-third of what you'd expect to pay in the UK.
Gozo is the second largest island in the Maltese Archipelago, but
unlike its larger sister island, Malta, Gozo has managed to preserve
its characteristics that have given Calypso Isle (as it is also known)
the title of "the island where time stands still". It is historically
ancient and can boast of having the oldest standing temple in the
world. This temple was probably built by trading merchants, who crossed
regularly between North Africa and Europe, after finding shelter in the
several natural inlets and harbours that adorn the Gozitan coastline.
From time to time scuba divers come across
pottery of various ages, but certainly the most common material is that
of the Roman period when much trading between the two continents seemed
to have taken place. A visit to Gozo Museum of Archeology, followed by
another to the Gozo Museum of Natural Sciences, would reveal to those
interested, the various civilisations that inhabited the islands; and
much about the marine life that adorns this beautiful and clear (up to
30 metres visibility) part of the Mediterranean.
The picturesque fishing village of Xlendi (Shlendi) is a bay surrounded
by high cliffs that slope down gently to the incredibly blue-green sea.
The bay itself can be a venue of at least two varied shore dives, a
reef-dive and a cave-dive, the latter much used for night diving that
often ends with a very enjoyable barbecue for the divers, their
families and friends. One can also do a large number of boat dives
around the bay on rugged reefs that are still abundant in marine life.
There is ample accommodation in Xlendi Bay, which includes the most
comfortable self-catered villas, holiday apartments and hotels, that
are sure to suit everyone's pocket. More than 12 restaurants and bars
are open from breakfast to the early hours of the morning, and better
still, the prices are probably by far the most reasonable in Europe.
The village offers many other amenities that include a bank,
supermarket and a bus service. For those who would like and extra kick
out of a holiday, Xlendi can also boast of having one of the nicest
Disco Clubs on the whole island, and this is just a short walking
distance from the bay itself. For many years Xlendi Bay has been known
to divers around the world and this is because of the many Roman wrecks
that are known to exist on and beyond the Xlendi reefs. Of course
Maltese laws do not permit anyone to touch or collect archeological
material; and with one such wreck it is not even allowed to dive
anywhere within its perimeter. But just the same diving around Xlendi
is fascinating: the crystal clear water, the abundance of marine life
and the scenic underwater sea-scapes.
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The Gozo Diving Sites: Xlendi Cave (Shore) 5-18 m, Xlendi Reef (Shore)
20-30m, Reef Dive (Boat) 40m, Bajjada pt. (Boat) 30+ m, Ta' Cenc (Boat)
12m, Ta' Cenc Caves (Shore) 25m, Mgarr ix-Xini (Shore) 17m, Xatt
l-Ahmar (Shore) 5-35m, Cominotto Reef (Boat) 30m, Crystal Lagoon (Boat)
15m, Irqiqa pt. (Boat) 35+m, Wreck "Rosy" (Shore) 35m, Our Lady Statue
(Shore) 17-30m, Cirkewwa Arch (Shore) 20m, L-Ahrax pt. (Shore) 25m,
Elephant Rock (Boat) 25m, Comino Caves (Boat) 10m, St.Maria Reef (Boat)
20m, Hondoq (Shore) 10m, Qala pt. (Boat) 30m, Qala Quarry (Boat) 25m,
Dahlet Qorrot (Shore) 10m, Marsalforn Reef
(Boat/Shore) 10m, Qbajjar Bay (Shore) 15m, Double Arch (Shore) 25m,
Xwejni Bay (Shore) 15m, Reqqa pt.Reef (Shore) 35-40m, Reqqa pt. Cave
(Shore) 30m, Ghasri Valley (Shore) 30m, Il-Margun (Boat) 35m, Hekka pt.
(Boat) 30-35m, Tac-Cawla (Boat) 25m, Wied Rap (Boat) 35+m, Ta-Camma
(boat) 33m, San Mitri (Boat) 30m, Hawcija (Boat) 33m, Tirxa (Boat) 35m,
Ta-tejtu (Boat) 30m, Ta-Sliema (Boat) 25-30m, Inland Sea (Shore) 6m,
Blue Hole (Shore) 15-35m, Skuljetti Reef (Shore) 27m, Zirka pt. (Shore)
30m, Fungus Rock (Boat-Shore) 30+m, Ta Pawla (Boat) 30m, Wardija pt.
(Boat) 25-20m, Zur Ziep Reef (Boat) 25-35m,
Ulysses Cave (Boat) 30m, Crocodile Rock (Boat/Shore) 35m