St. Julian’s Reef
Site Overview
St. Julian’s Reef is a shallow rocky reef on the east coast, easily reached from the shore and ideal for training, refresher dives and night diving. The sloping boulders and sandy patches are home to octopus, cuttlefish and the occasional seahorse, with nudibranchs and small fish among the rocks. Its calm, protected setting and clear water make it a dependable site when other Malta dives are affected by wind. 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 gently along the sloping reef, controlling buoyancy over the rocky bottom. Explore the boulders for octopus and cuttlefish, then ascend with a safety stop. A night dive with a torch reveals far more life, including crustaceans and hunting squid. 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
Common Octopus
Octopus vulgaris
Best: Year-round
Cuttlefish
Sepia officinalis
Best: April, May, June
Seahorse
Hippocampus hippocampus
Best: Year-round
Two-banded Sea Bream
Diplodus vulgaris
Best: Year-round
Nudibranch
Chromodorididae
Best: Year-round
Safety & Hazards
- Shore entry over rocks
- Boat traffic near the bay
- Occasional mild current
- Limited visibility after rain
- Sea urchins on rocks
- Variable surge
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
Perfect for beginners, students and anyone wanting an easy, reliable shore dive or night dive close to the St. Julian’s dive centres. It is also good for macro photography. 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 Systems
- Hurricane Diving
Photography Info
Best for: macro, wide_angle