Find out how to visit, swim, or dive at the magnificent natural rock formation and dive site on Gozo’s west coast.
The magical islands of Malta are well-renowned for their unique blue geological formations including the famous Blue Lagoon and Blue Grotto. But perhaps one of the most famous of these is Gozo’s iconic Blue Hole.
Just off the shores of San Lawrenz, visitors can discover this large underwater hole, which results in a sudden drop into a wide, upright tube of crystal clear water.
Due to the beautiful surrounding coral gardens and iconic underwater archway leading into the open sea, this formation has also earned its fame as Malta’s most famous scuba dive site.
What You Need to Know About the Gozo Blue Hole in Malta
The Blue Hole is a deep rock formation just meters from the shore near Dwejra Bay. It drops to a depth of 15 meters right from the shore and it's great for swimming and diving! Here's what you need to know.
- The Gozo Blue Hole is an upright underwater tunnel carved out over thousands of years by the powerful natural sea and wind forces.
- This site offers a sheltered entry directly from the shallow water shelf, passing some surrounding rocks and large boulders.
- Descending 6 meters of depth, there is a large archway acting as an underwater doorway to the open sea. Additionally, the bottom of the hole contains a large cave that is popular with scuba divers.
Where is Malta's Blue Hole?
You'll find the Blue Hole on Gozo's west coast in an area known as Dwejra Bay in San Lawrenz. This is a famous spot as it sits directly beneath the former Azure Window, which has now fallen to the sea. Just nearby, however, there is also another natural formation called the Inland Sea, also great for diving!
Below I've pinned the exact location to help you find it.
Location: 36°03'11.6"N 14°11'19.6"E
How to Get to the Blue Hole on Gozo
The best way to get around Malta and explore all the epic attractions is to rent your own car. This is exactly what we did and was the reason why we could explore so many of Gozo's attractions in a short amount of time.
If you're staying in the popular tourist hubs on the main island, then I recommend you rent a car there. I found that DiscoverCars has the largest range and best deals across car dealerships in Malta.
Of course, you'll need to get your car across to the island of Gozo. This is easy via the affordable and reliable Gozo Channel Ferry, with scheduled crossings every 45 minutes or so.
There is a large Public Parking area just near the Blue Hole, and getting here from the main ferry terminal in Mġarr Harbor will take roughly 20 minutes.
Alternatively, it's possible to reach this site via the frequent bus service on the 311 line bus, stopping at the Dwejra stop.
If you're planning on scuba diving in the Blue Hole, then the shop will likely arrange transport for you.
Scuba Diving in the Malta Blue Hole
I was fortunate to dive in the Blue Hole with St Andrew's Divers Cove, who arranged all my gear and a guided dive with transport from the nearby Xlendi Bay.
After gearing up in the car park, we walked out onto the shallow-water shelf and hopped into the sheltered entry natural pool of the Blue Hole.
Immediately looking down, we were ecstatic to see the bottom sharply through the crystal clear waters. Descending down, we dropped all the way to the bottom of the hole, where we explored all the way to the back of the cave (15 meters). With a sandy bottom, the cave featured only some small marine life including sea urchins and colorful coral tubeworms.
After this, we swam back out towards the beautiful archway, a window that leads to the open sea. Here, we continued to descend and explore the surrounding coral gardens and underwater rock debris from the former Azure Window.
We managed to spot some small groupers and other Mediterranean fish species before ascending and entering through the archway again into the walls of the hole. The exit point for the dive was back at the surface of the gorgeous Blue Hole where we had descended.
Tip: the edges of the above-water rock have sharp edges, so try not to scrape your arms or legs on them.
Is the Blue Hole Worth it If I'm not Diving?
In my opinion, this natural underwater rock formation is best enjoyed below the surface! This means that you can also enjoy it if you are snorkeling or freediving.
However, due to the easy accessibility, I believe that everybody should go and check out the Blue Hole if you're planning to explore other attractions on Gozo's west coast, including the nearby inland sea.
In saying that, the Blue Hole is quite a spectacular site from above the water too! I highly recommend walking up the rocky coastal cliffs adjacent to the hole and admiring it from a birds-eye perspective.
The Gozo Blue Hole somewhat resembles an eye from above, a little like Croatia's famous Eye of the Earth. The surrounding scenery of small canyons, large boulders, and sharp rocks makes it a great place for photography as well.
Where to Stay on Gozo Island
Due to its small size and well-connected network of buses and roads, choosing the ideal location to stay in Gozo is less crucial than on the main island of Malta.
However, if you ask, locals will always tell you that to get the complete Gozitan experience, what's more important is picking a traditional boutique hotel over a luxury resort or modern hotel. You'll find many boutique hotels in Gozo dotted all over the island, from Nadur to Xlendi. Below are the 3 top picks.
1.
Accommodation on Malta’s quieter sister island should reflect its more peaceful and traditional ambiance. This beautifully renovated boutique hotel is situated directly beside the Nadur Parish Church, with spacious balcony terraces looking over the town square.
2. Viewpoint Boutique Living - Xlendi
This family-run boutique hotel dates back 300 years and is situated on a beautiful cliff overlooking the Xlendi Valley and the Mediterranean Sea. The location is ideal for couples looking to get away, with convenient access to the beach and just a short 2 km drive to the Citadella.
3. Kempinski Hotel - San Lawrenz
For travelers preferring modern, 5-star luxury, the Kempinski Hotel is your best bet. This amazing hotel is located in San Lawrenz, on a 30,000m² tropical oasis. An excellent choice for larger groups and families as there are self-catering apartment options as well!
FAQs About the Blue Hole in Malta
How was the Blue Hole formed?
The Blue Hole is a natural feature formed by centuries of wave power, and years of wind energy. As wave surge and current pushes through the archway, it funnels up the upright shaft, slowly weathering through the softer rock to form this amazing natural phenomenon.
Is the Blue Hole worth it?
The Blue Hole in Malta is certainly worth exploring, especially if you are a scuba diver as this is one of the most beautiful dive sites of the Maltese Islands.
How deep is the Blue Hole?
The Blue Hole has an official depth of 15 meters but some sources claim 16 meters, likely due to tidal fluctuations.
Is this a dangerous dive site?
No, this is an entry-level dive site suitable for beginner divers and Open Water students. The hole and archway are both very large and the depths are quite shallow.
When is the best time to dive?
The best time to dive in the Maltese Islands is during the summertime, from June to September. This period has calmer seas, warmer sea temperatures, and less wind.
Is the Blue Hole the best dive site in Malta?
While it is undoubtedly spectacular, I believe that there are much better sites in Malta, including the El Faroud Oil Tanker and the accessible P31 Wreck.
I hope that you've found this detailed guide to Malta's Blue Hole helpful in planning your adventures on the archipelago.
Check out the list below for more inspiration and travel guides to this beautiful slice of the Mediterranean.
- 70+ Things to do in Malta - my ultimate Maltese Travel Guide covering all the must-see attractions and hidden gems in the archipelago.
- 16 Things to do on Comino - my detailed guide to the island of Comino
- 40 Amazing Things to do on Gozo - I explored every corner of Malta's sister island of Gozo to form this comprehensive travel guide
- Best Beaches in Malta - a thorough beach guide covering the most popular spots and plenty of hidden gems
- Guide to Mellieha - a detailed travel guide covering the top 16 things to do in Mellieha
- 26 Things to do in Valletta - I cover my favorite things to do in Malta's capital
- Top Sunset Spoints in Malta - wind down your day at one of these epic sunset locations in Malta
- The Malta Blue Lagoon Guide - the most up-to-date resource on visiting Malta's most popular natural attraction, the Blue Lagoon!
- Accommodation resources: Looking for places to stay? Read my guide to finding where to stay in Malta. Or, for a unique stay, check out this list of great Boutique Hotels in Gozo and more Boutique Hotels in Valletta.