Salt Pans (Xwejni)
Site Overview
The Salt Pans at Xwejni are a shallow rocky reef beside the historic coastline, rich in nudibranchs, octopus and pipefish and a favourite for macro photography. The easy shore access and clear water make it ideal for training and relaxed dives, and it pairs naturally with the nearby Double Arch. It is one of Gozo’s most productive small reefs for critter hunters. 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
"Enter from the shore and descend along the rocky ledges, moving slowly to spot nudibranchs and octopus. 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
Nudibranch
Chromodorididae
Best: Year-round
Common Octopus
Octopus vulgaris
Best: Year-round
Mediterranean Moray
Muraena helena
Best: Year-round
Two-banded Sea Bream
Diplodus vulgaris
Best: Year-round
Pipefish
Syngnathus typhle
Best: Year-round
Safety & Hazards
- Shore entry over rocks
- Occasional mild current
- Boat traffic in the area
- Limited visibility after rain
- Sea urchins on rocks
- Variable surge
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
Ideal for open-water divers and macro photographers who want an easy, rich reef close to Marsalforn. It is also a good training and night-dive site. 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