Cathedral Cave (Għasri)
Site Overview
Cathedral Cave is a soaring cavern in the Għasri Valley, accessed by boat, with a high-domed ceiling, light shafts and massive stalactites. One of Gozo’s most spectacular underwater sights, it is guided-only to protect the fragile formations and ensure safety. Glassfish, morays and octopus inhabit the cavern, and the play of light makes it a photographer’s highlight. 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 mouth and enter with your licensed guide, controlling buoyancy under the dome. Marvel at the light shafts and stalactites, watching for morays, then exit and 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
Mediterranean Moray
Muraena helena
Best: Year-round
Common Octopus
Octopus vulgaris
Best: Year-round
Two-banded Sea Bream
Diplodus vulgaris
Best: Year-round
Nudibranch
Chromodorididae
Best: Year-round
Glassfish
Ambassis keyensis
Best: Year-round
Safety & Hazards
- Enclosed cavern
- Guided dive only
- Light loss if torches fail
- Boat traffic in the area
- Limited visibility after rain
- Depth near 30 m
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
Suited to advanced divers comfortable in caverns who want one of the Mediterranean’s most beautiful enclosed dive sites. A guide is mandatory. 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: wide_angle, macro