Billingshurst Cave (Reqqa)
Site Overview
Billingshurst Cave is a shallow cavern near Reqqa Point with a trapped air pocket, stalactites and rich macro life. Lobsters and octopus hide in the rocks, nudibranchs cover the walls, and the clear water makes it a favourite for beginners and photographers. Its easy access and shallow depth suit a range of experience levels on the Gozo north coast. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for Malta’s marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among Mediterranean divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for Malta’s marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among Mediterranean divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for Malta’s marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among Mediterranean divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for Malta’s marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among Mediterranean divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for Malta’s marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among Mediterranean divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for Malta’s marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among Mediterranean divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for Malta’s marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among Mediterranean divers. The site rewards careful planning, good buoyancy and a respect for Malta’s marine-protection rules, and remains a favourite among Mediterranean divers.
Dive Briefing
"Boat to the cave and descend into the shallow cavern, controlling buoyancy and not breathing the air pocket. Explore for lobsters and nudibranchs, then ascend with a safety stop. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point. Follow your guide closely, monitor your thermal comfort and complete a safety stop before exiting at the designated point."
Signature Marine Life
European Lobster
Homarus gammarus
Best: Year-round
Common Octopus
Octopus vulgaris
Best: Year-round
Nudibranch
Chromodorididae
Best: Year-round
Mediterranean Moray
Muraena helena
Best: Year-round
Two-banded Sea Bream
Diplodus vulgaris
Best: Year-round
Safety & Hazards
- Enclosed cavern
- Air pocket (do not breathe)
- Boat traffic in the area
- Limited visibility after rain
- Rocky entry by boat
- Depth near 18 m
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
Ideal for open-water divers and macro photographers who want a gentle cavern with air pocket and critters. It is also a good introduction to cave diving with a guide. It suits confident Mediterranean divers who value dramatic scenery, wrecks and rich marine life over tropical abundance. It suits confident Mediterranean divers who value dramatic scenery, wrecks and rich marine life over tropical abundance. It suits confident Mediterranean divers who value dramatic scenery, wrecks and rich marine life over tropical abundance. It suits confident Mediterranean divers who value dramatic scenery, wrecks and rich marine life over tropical abundance.
Quick Stats
Dive Logistics
- Dive Gozo
- St. Andrew’s Divers Cove
Photography Info
Best for: macro, wide_angle