Top 10 scuba diving spots in Malta with unreal underwater views
Sure, sunbathing is nice—but if you’re spending all your time on the beaches, you’re missing out on what’s happening underneath the surface. Malta’s waters hide a world of beauty just waiting to be explored.
Scuba diving in Malta also means underwater caves, shipwrecks, and colourful sea life you usually only see in nature documentaries. Whether you’re certified or a curious first-timer, the experience is unforgettable.
That’s why we always recommend that you trade your beach towel for a wetsuit—you won’t regret it. Just be warned: once you go down, you’ll want to keep coming back.
1. Blue Hole, Gozo
Media credit: scubadivingmag
Website: https://www.visitmalta.com/en/attraction/blue-hole-natural-attraction-gozo/
Location: San Lawrenz
Pricing: Free
This natural sinkhole in Dwejra drops straight into a dramatic underwater landscape of arches and swim-throughs. At about 60 metres deep, it connects directly to the open sea through a wide, arched tunnel.
Sponges, sea bream, and the occasional octopus blend in with the rocky formations. Light pours in from above, making it one of Malta’s most photographed dive sites.
There’s also a vertical chimney that leads divers from 7 to 10 metres, creating a fun route for those with confident buoyancy control. The nearby collapsed Azure Window remains are also visible from the reef outside.
The entry path is rough and uneven, making it less ideal for those with mobility concerns. Still, once you’re in, the site offers great scenery and marine life.
Pro Tip:
After exiting the arch into the open sea, angle slightly north along the reef slope to find a vertical chimney. Many miss it on the first dive, but it’s one of the Blue Hole’s hidden highlights, ideal for safe, beginner-friendly overhead training.
2. MV Karwela
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Website: https://maltadives.com/sites/mvkarwela-xattlahmar
Location: 278P+M75, Unnamed Road, Ghajnsielem
Pricing: Free
This 50-metre-long wreck was purposefully sunk in 2006 to create an artificial reef. It’s one of Gozo’s most iconic deep dives. The ship rests upright at around 40 metres and is only recommended for divers with deep or technical training.
The interior is partially open, allowing for safe swim-throughs. It includes the famous central staircase illuminated by natural light. Although scuttled, the ship has retained much of its structure, making it visually striking.
You’ll often spot jacks, nudibranchs, and occasionally tuna patrolling the hull. Coral growth has also taken hold along the railings, adding texture to your underwater shots.
Access is via boat or a short rocky descent at Xatt l-Ahmar, but the real value lies in the depth and design of the wreck. For photographers and tech divers, it’s hard to beat.
Pro Tip:
Visibility at MV Karwela drops significantly if you touch down on the sandy seabed. To keep your photos clear and avoid stirring silt, stay 2–3 metres above the bottom when swimming around the wreck, especially near the staircase.
3. HMS Maori
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Website: https://www.visitmalta.com/en/attraction/hms-maori-dive-malta/
Location: St.Elmo Bay, Valletta
Pricing: Free
This British destroyer lies broken at just 16 metres deep in Marsamxett Harbour. Originally sunk during WWII, the wreck has become a magnet for marine life and history lovers.
The bow section is the most intact; you can still see the twin gun mounts and part of the bridge. Several moray eels can be spotted curled into rusted compartments, and schools of damselfish dart in and out.
Silt can kick up easily here, so good finning technique is a must. The harbour setting means there’s not much surge, but visibility varies depending on boat activity.
While not the most pristine dive site, it’s one of the most accessible historical wrecks on the islands.
Pro Tip:
Enter the water an hour or two before high tide for the best visibility and easier access. During low tide, the shallow harbour silt tends to cloud the water, and boat traffic noise can intensify, making navigation disorienting.
4. Um El Faroud, Wied iz-Zurrieq
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Website: https://www.visitmalta.com/en/attraction/um-el-faroud/
Location: RC9X+JWC, Triq Congreve, Il-Qrendi
Pricing: Free
This massive oil tanker was scuttled in 1998 after a gas explosion damaged it beyond repair. At over 115 metres long and ranging from 18 to 25 metres deep, it offers a truly immersive wreck dive.
You can explore the cargo holds, wheelhouse, and even swim beneath the rudder. Barracudas, amberjacks, and scorpionfish are regulars around the structure.
Strong currents occasionally sweep through, so a surface marker is a must. What impressed us most was the ship’s sheer scale—just swimming its length is a full-body workout.
The entry is just a few kicks away from the Blue Grotto shore point, making logistics easy. Still, this dive is best suited for intermediate to advanced divers due to depth and complexity.
Pro Tip:
Avoid entering via the main Wied iz-Zurrieq slipway on weekends between 9 AM and noon. It doubles as a launch site for Blue Grotto boats, making it a crowded and potentially dangerous area. Instead, time your dive between boat runs.
5. Reqqa Point
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Website: https://www.visitmalta.com/en/attraction/Reqqa-Point/
Location: 36JP+RGM, Triq Is-Sagħtrija, Iż-Żebbuġ
Pricing: Free
Located on Gozo’s northern coast, Reqqa Point is famous for its steep drop-offs and rich wall life. The reef starts at just 6 metres but plunges beyond 40, offering plenty for experienced divers.
We saw barracuda circling in the blue and spiny lobsters tucked into ledges. You’ll spot gorgonians, starfish, and the occasional nudibranch along the wall.
There’s also a chimney that connects the deep wall to a shallow exit, making this a favourite for multi-level dives. The current here can get strong, so it’s not ideal for beginners.
Getting in involves a ladder fixed to the rocks, which becomes risky in northerly swells. But on calm days, it’s one of the most dramatic reef dives on the island.
Pro Tip:
To avoid battling current during your return, plan a drift-style loop: start by swimming out along the wall with the current and return closer to the reef’s top at shallower depths, where the current is weaker and air consumption is reduced.
6. P29 Patrol Boat, Cirkewwa
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Website: https://maltadives.com/sites/p29-cirkewwa/en
Location: X8QG+GF8, Mellieħa
Pricing: Free
Sitting upright at 34 metres, the P29 was a former patrol boat scuttled in 2007 to create an artificial reef. Its deck gun and open bridge structure give divers multiple points of interest.
We found large schools of damselfish here and a resident moray eel curled up near the stern. The wreck is surprisingly open, making it easy for first-time wreck divers to explore.
Currents vary but are usually manageable. The sandy bottom enhances visibility, except after a storm. The proximity to the Rozi wreck makes it perfect for a double dive.
Pro Tip:
For fuller meals after a dive, walk a few minutes to the Gozo ferry terminal area, where you’ll find cafes serving Maltese treats like pastizzi or gassatat alongside basic hot food and drinks.
7. Rozi Wreck
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Website: https://maltadives.com/sites/rozi-cirkewwa
Location: X8QG+WM2, Mellieħa
Pricing: Free
Just 100 metres from the P29 lies the Rozi, a tugboat scuttled in 1992. It rests at 34 metres and is fully intact, though the propeller and engine have been removed.
The wheelhouse is wide open, allowing safe swim-throughs even for those with limited wreck experience. As you enter, Glassfish fill the interior, creating a surreal, silvery swirl.
We appreciated how life reclaimed the wreck—anemones, sea squirts, and even flatfish on the sand. Surge is rare, but surface chop can make entry trickier.
Despite being small, the Rozi Wreck is visually stunning and makes for a peaceful, focused dive. It’s often underrated compared to the P29 but deserves equal attention.
Pro Tip:
On calm days, descend directly above the wreck rather than from the usual line near the reef wall. This vertical drop-in lets you spot rays resting in the sand around the hull before other divers swim through and scare them off.
8. Santa Marija Caves, Comino
Media credit: jeffreygarrovillo
Website: https://www.visitmalta.com/en/attraction/st-marija-caves/
Location: 289R+56 Ghajnsielem
Pricing: €
The Santa Marija Caves feature 10 interlinked tunnels winding through Comino’s rugged underwater coastline. The depths range from 5 to 18 metres, making them ideal for all levels.
Each cave offers something different. Some are filled with shimmering cardinalfish, others have air pockets where you can briefly surface. One tunnel even creates a perfect light halo when the sun is high in the sky.
There are no tight squeezes here, so it’s great for divers new to overhead environments. However, some caves are darker than expected, so having a flashlight is essential.
Pro Tip:
Arrive early in the morning, especially during summer, to avoid crowds. This site can get busy even for diving or scenic sightseeing.
9. Double Arch Reef
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Website: https://maltadives.com/sites/doublearch-xwejnibay
Location: Marsalforn, North Coast of Gozo
Pricing: €
This site is named after two massive natural arches stacked on top of each other, beginning at 15 metres and dropping to a depth of over 45 metres. They’re located off Xwejni Bay and can be reached by boat.
Large groupers, amberjacks, and even barracuda patrol the arches, while reef walls are home to octopus and scorpionfish. There’s also a third mini-arch nearby that most divers miss.
The arches dramatically frame the open sea, making it one of Malta’s most striking reef formations. And because it’s an open water descent, it’s best done with a guide familiar with local currents. The reef extends outward, so keep an eye on your air if you’re exploring far.
Pro Tip:
Bring a compass and clip it to your D-ring. Due to the open-water layout and depth, many divers accidentally surface far from the entry point. The arches sit isolated with few reference points, and even a slight current can push you off course.
10. Ghar Lapsi
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Website: https://www.visitmalta.com/en/attraction/%20G%C4%A7ar%20Lapsi/
Location: RCGF+QCJ, Siġġiewi
Pricing: Free
Located near Siggiewi, Ghar Lapsi is a shallow cave system great for beginners and also offers shallow areas for snorkelers. Depths range from 5 to 12 metres, and the natural archway at the entrance sets a dramatic tone.
You’ll see wrasse, seahorses, and sometimes flying gurnards resting on the sand. What stood out was the calm conditions, perfect for long, relaxing bottom times.
The cave is wide with plenty of ambient light, so no torch is needed unless you’re hunting for macro species. Nearby reef shelves extend out for an optional second route.
Pro Tip:
If diving between 10 AM and noon, look back toward the entrance once you’re inside the cave. Sunbeams pour through in angled streaks that create stunning light effects. This is the best time for photography, especially for wide-angle shots.