Marsalforn Bay
Site Overview
Marsalforn Bay is the main dive hub of Gozo, a sheltered bay with small wrecks, rocky reefs and seagrass that is ideal for training, night dives and macro photography. Seahorses, pipefish and octopus inhabit the shallows, and the easy access from the village makes it one of the most convenient Gozo dives. It is a dependable site for courses and relaxed fun dives. 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
"Enter from the shore and descend along the shallow reef, moving slowly to spot seahorses and pipefish. Explore the small wrecks for octopus, then ascend with a safety stop, watching for boat traffic in the bay. 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
Seahorse
Hippocampus hippocampus
Best: Year-round
Common Octopus
Octopus vulgaris
Best: Year-round
Pipefish
Syngnathus typhle
Best: Year-round
Two-banded Sea Bream
Diplodus vulgaris
Best: Year-round
Nudibranch
Chromodorididae
Best: Year-round
Safety & Hazards
- Shore entry over rocks
- Occasional mild current
- Boat traffic in the bay
- Limited visibility after rain
- Sea urchins on rocks
- Variable surge
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
Perfect for beginners, students and macro lovers who want an easy, convenient bay close to the Marsalforn dive centres. It is also good for night dives. 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