Malta – West Coast (Golden Bay, Gnejna, Fomm ir-Rih)

About Malta – West Coast (Golden Bay, Gnejna, Fomm ir-Rih)

Malta’s undeveloped west coast is a stretch of golden sand, sheer cliffs and remote bays. Golden Bay and Gnejna offer calm, shallow water ideal for training and night dives, while Fomm ir-Rih and Ras ir-Raħeb reveal spectacular underwater topography with massive boulders, caves and deep walls. The clear, less-dived water is rich in groupers, morays and pelagic visitors, rewarding those who make the effort to reach it. 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

• ✓Golden Bay: a shallow, calm sandy bay ideal for training and night dives with stingrays.
• ✓Gnejna Bay: rocky ledges and seahorses, a gentle site for beginners.
• ✓Fomm ir-Rih: steep cliffs, massive boulders and caves for advanced shore diving.
• ✓Ras ir-Raħeb: a deep wall with sea fans, amberjack and occasional tuna.
• ✓Migra l-Ferħa: a pristine, rarely dived cliffside reef with lobsters and nudibranchs.

Getting There

The west coast is about 30-40 minutes by bus or car from Malta International Airport. Golden Bay and Gnejna have easy shore access; Fomm ir-Rih and Ras ir-Raħeb require careful entry down cliff paths and are best with a guide.