A short boat ride from the mainland, the small island of Gozo is the perfect base for divers wanting to experience some of the best diving spots in the Mediterranean. Like much of the rest of Malta the island is full of relics from previous colonisers, including Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, Sicilians, French and British.
There are plenty of things to see and do here, such as visiting one of the many interesting museums or archaeological sites, getting out into nature on horseback, abseiling down rugged cliff faces or taking a stroll along a golden sanded beach. Gozo’s depth of culture and heritage is as deep as it’s surrounding oceans, that are full of fantastic tec and wreck diving sites.
Don’t miss the opportunity to experience the mainland with a trip to Valetta. Being a UNESCO world heritage site with a history spanning back to the 15th century, this awe inspiring fortress city contains many hidden cafes, old ports and historical buildings set amongst and near the famous cobblestoned narrow streets.
Mediterranean climate with its seasons strongly influenced by the sea. There are four distinct seasons:
Summer (June – August): Expect hot, dry, balmy days with day-time temperatures averaging 30°C with a refreshing sea breeze and night-time temperatures dropping to a comfortable 21°C.
Autumn (September – November): Enjoy daily temperatures of 24°C and wrap up warm as night-time temperatures drop to 17°C. Also, expect a few rainy days as autumn heads into winter.
Winter (December – February): Expect cool to mild days with the some rain and the occasional cold spell from Central Europe. Daily temperatures average at about 16C and night temperatures dropping to around 10 C.”
Spring (March – May): Expect less rainy days with day temperatures reaching a mild average of 20C while night temperatures drop to around 12C
If you’re a lover of rust, then you will love diving here! Although there are some sites in recreational depths, to make the most of diving here we recommend getting the relevant certifications to explore some of the deeper dive sites, some of which lie at over 65m.
During World War II, Malta became one of the most bombed locations in history. Its position allowed the British Royal Navy and RAF to disrupt supply lines of Axis armies cutting their way through North Africa. Cargo ships carrying food, fuel and ammunition were under constant attack, allied fighters took on hordes of enemy aircraft in a ferocious and unrelenting air war. Much of the legacy of the battle for Malta now lies in the clear blue waters that surround the island.
The bulk of dive sites in Malta are in the north-west of Gozo. If you want to have a look around some non-wreck sites, then there are some stunning underwater caves, caverns and walls to explore too.
As the Mediterranean is a temperate sea, there is minimal growth on wrecks, as the number of coral species is not as prolific as you would find in tropical seas. Subsequently diving here is a different experience; even on the oldest wrecks, there is much more definition than tropical wreck divers are used to, giving the sites an eerie beauty.
The Mediterranean has a series of thermoclines year round, with the depth down to 20 metres changing with the season with consistent temperatures below certain depths.
Surface to 20m – Temperature ranges from 20 to 28 degrees depending on the season.
Apr – Jun : 22- 25 degrees
Jul – Sep : 25- 28 degrees
Oct – Nov: 22- 25 degrees
Depth: 20m – 30m : 20- 21 degrees
Depth: 30- 40m: 17 degrees
Depth: 40m + : 14- 15 degrees
Technical divers: recommend dry suit or 7mm semi dry
Recreational divers : 5 – 7mm wetsuit
April – November
Tugboats St. Michael & 10
Maximum Depth: 18 metres
These two tugboats were scuttled as artificial reefs in 1998 off Zonqor Point. The 10 wreck, named because of the still visible No. 10 painted on the wreck, is a 16 metre long intact tugboat. From the stern, you will find the St. Michael tug at less than 50 metres distance. Two nice wrecks suitable for beginners.
Um el Faroud
Maximum Depth: 36 metres
The Um El Faroud was sunk in 1998 following a terrible explosion on board that killed nine
Maltese dockyard workers. Lying on the sandy seabed southwest of Wied iz-Zurrieq, the Um El Faroud weighs 10,000 tons and is 115 metres long. The depth to the top of the bridge is 18 metres and 25 metres to the main deck.
HMS Stubborn
Maximum Depth: 57 metres
HMS Stubborn was an S class submarine of the Royal Naxy, and part of the Third Group built of that class. HMS Stubborn survived the Second World War and was sunk on April 30, 1946 by the British Navy after suffering extensive damage.
Le Polynesien
Maximum Depth: 64 meters
An absolutely magnificent wreck, lying at 64m it is suitable only for tech divers. This 19th-century passenger liner was sunk in WWI by a German U-Boat. It is one of the largest wrecks in the area at over 152m in length. Miraculously it lies in one piece upright on the seafloor!
Tugboat Rozi
Maximum Depth: 36 metres
One of the most popular dive sites in Malta due to the prevalence of fish life. It was purposely scuttled in 1991 as an attraction for tourists during glass-bottom boat tours. Expect to see an abundance of fish, including seabreams, cardinalfish and scorpionfish. The wreck itself was once a tugboat, it is 40 meters long and sits intact and upright in 36m of water.
MV Imperial Eagle and Kristu tal-Baħħara (Christ of the Sailors)
Maximum Depth: 42 metres
The MV Imperial Eagle was built in England as an excursion ship in in 1938. It was later used in WWll and then as a ferry between Gozo & Malta. It was scuttled in 1999 by the local dive community and now sits on a sandy seafloor in 42m. With its wide hold open, it can be easily penetrated by divers. From this wreck you can head through a small cave and dive one of the most well know sites in Europe – the Kristu tal-Baħħara (Christ of the Sailors). This beautiful sculpture was commissioned in 1990 and created by a Maltese artist to commemorate a visit from Pope John Paul II.
Culture
There are so many amazing cultural sights in Gozo! Take a tour on e-bikes, quad bikes or the sightseeing bus. Or do it independently, without missing out on The Citadel, the Ta’ Pinu National Shrine, the Neolithic Ggantija Megalithic Temples and the Roman Xwejni Salt Pans. There are so many old buildings, churches and sites of historical significance; it’s easy to get lost in history here!
Nature
Gozo is dotted with stunning golden sanded beaches, such as San Blas, Dahlet Qottot and Ramla Bay. There are dramatic rock features, such as the Azure window (now a popular dive site since it’s roof fell into the sea), Xlendi beach, cliff and caves, and Wied il-Ghasri. Take a kayak, paddleboard, horseback or bike tour around a few of them. Or pack a picnic and your swimmers and enjoy a day relaxing by these stunning coastlines. A trip to Gozo would not be complete without a trip to the spectacular Blue Lagoon.
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