Malta – Cirkewwa & Marfa (North Coast)

About Malta – Cirkewwa & Marfa (North Coast)

The north coast around Cirkewwa, Marfa and Mellieħa is the gateway to Gozo and Comino and one of Malta’s most popular diving areas. Cirkewwa Reef is famous for its statues, a large archway, swim-throughs and the small ferry wreck MV Cominoland. Nearby Anchor Reef holds a giant 19th-century Admiralty anchor, while L’Ahrax Point and Qawra offer gentle sloping reefs rich in macro life. The area suits all levels and is a hub for boat diving into the channel. The area rewards careful planning and respects Maltese marine-protection rules, offering rewarding diving for a range of Mediterranean experience levels. The area rewards careful planning and respects Maltese marine-protection rules, offering rewarding diving for a range of Mediterranean experience levels.

Highlights

• ✓Cirkewwa Reef: two large statues, a scuttled ferry, a big archway and abundant fish life.
• ✓Anchor Reef: a massive 19th-century Admiralty anchor embedded in the reef at 22 m.
• ✓L’Ahrax Point: a sloping boulder reef with nudibranchs, pipefish and great night dives.
• ✓Qawra Point: shallow reef, seagrass and the Imperial Eagle ferry wreck as an artificial reef.
• ✓Bugibba & Salina: easy shallow training sites with small scuttled boats and macro life.

Getting There

Reach the north by bus or rental car from Malta International Airport (about 45 minutes). Cirkewwa is also the terminal for the Gozo ferry, so many divers base here for channel crossings and boat dives.