Level: Free shore access This spot have a free shore access: you can go snorkeling there freely and without having to book a tour or pay an entrance fee.
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Last updated on July 20, 2023
Gozo’s Blue Hole is probably the most famous diving spot in the Malta Islands. This round blue hole about 50 feet/16 meters deep looks like it was carved into the surrounding rocks. While you are snorkeling the Blue Hole, make sure to visit one of the most interesting parts of this spot, and that is the nearby rocky plateau called “Coral Gardens”. There you will swim amongst many fish over a multi-leveled rocky seabed. Altogether, this spot is a must-do on your Malta snorkeling list.
The Blue Hole is located in Dwejra, on Gozo Island’s west coast. Follow “Dwejra/Inland Sea” signs until you reach a public car park at the road’s end. If you are in Victoria, the bus line 311 also stops here. A rough path carved into the stone leads down to the sea where you will enter the water.
This site has one water entrance, which is right at the end of the small path. From the entry point, you can then swim right (to snorkel the Blue Hole, snorkeling area #1 on the map above) or swim left (to snorkel the Coral Gardens, snorkeling area #2 on the map above). Be aware that the rocks in this area can be sharp.
The gorgeous Blue Hole (snorkeling area #1 on the map) can be snorkeled, but the area is very small and can get crowded. Even if free diving the Blue Hole’s underwater arch is tempting, don’t practice apnea (free diving) if you are not specifically trained for it.
The Coral Gardens are a much better area for snorkelers. This relatively shallow plateau (↕3-30ft/1-10m) extends right next to the Blue Hole. The seabed here is varied, including several steps, cracks, and even small canyons.
Despite its name, there is are coral reefs in the Coral Gardens, but sea life is still abundant. Near the snorkeling entry, you will easily spot damselfish and thicklip grey mullets. The rocky areas are covered with seaweed and attract ornate wrasse in great numbers. The ornate wrasse, especially the bright blue-green males, are probably the most colorful species you will spot at this location.
Sea stars, sea urchins and jellyfish are the most common invertebrates living on rocky beds. If you are lucky, you might also spot morays, small groupers or the reddish Mediterranean parrotfish.
This spot is not sheltered from the open sea, so be careful. Don’t enter the water when it swells, even slightly. During October and November underwater visibility is at its best, but you will need a wetsuit to stay in cold water.
Gozo Island is more quiet than Malta, and you can enjoy a peaceful stay here. There are numerous vacation rental options on the island, suiting all budgets. You will have no trouble finding somewhere to eat on site: several restaurants are located around the parking lot.
This reference identification guide includes all the 860 marine fish species that may be encountered while snorkeling in coastal Western Europe and the Mediterranean and is an invaluable aid in identifying the fish you see.
These spots are only recommended to good swimmers, in good physical conditions, and with excellent snorkeling skills. These spots can experience currents, moderate waves, important depths, tight or narrow passages, or tricky water entrance, and can be located near hazardous areas (channels, boat traffic, strong currents…). The distance to swim to reach the most interesting snorkeling areas can be important - up to 500 meters. The “advanced” category includes drift snorkeling (transported by currents) and snorkeling off the coast. This level only apply when the spot experiences optimal sea and/or weather conditions. It is not applicable if the sea and/or weather conditions deteriorate, in particular in the presence of rough sea, rain, strong wind, unusual current, large tides, waves and/or swell.You can find more details about the definition of our snorkeling levels on our snorkeling safety page.
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Snorkeling spots are part of a wild environment and their aspect can be significantly altered by weather, seasons, sea conditions, human impact and climate events (storms, hurricanes, seawater-warming episodes…). The consequences can be an alteration of the seabed (coral bleaching, coral destruction, and invasive seagrass), a poor underwater visibility, or a decrease of the sea life present in the area. Snorkeling Report makes every effort to ensure that all the information displayed on this website is accurate and up-to-date, but no guarantee is given that the underwater visibility and seabed aspect will be exactly as described on this page the day you will snorkel the spot. If you recently snorkeled this area and noticed some changes compared to the information contained on this page, please contact us.
The data contained in this website is for general information purposes only, and is not legal advice. It is intended to provide snorkelers with the information that will enable them to engage in safe and enjoyable snorkeling, and it is not meant as a substitute for swim level, physical condition, experience, or local knowledge. Remember that all marine activities, including snorkeling, are potentially dangerous, and that you enter the water at your own risk. You must take an individual weather, sea conditions and hazards assessment before entering the water. If snorkeling conditions are degraded, postpone your snorkeling or select an alternate site. Know and obey local laws and regulations, including regulated areas, protected species, wildlife interaction and dive flag laws.
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