Xlendi Bay
Site Overview
Xlendi Bay is a pretty, sheltered inlet on Gozo’s south coast, ideal for training, night dives and macro photography. Seahorses, octopus and nudibranchs inhabit the rocks, and the calm, clear water makes it one of the most convenient southern dives. Its easy access from the village and gentle setting suit divers of all levels. 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 sloping reef, moving slowly to spot seahorses and nudibranchs. Ascend with a safety stop, watching for boat traffic in the small 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
Nudibranch
Chromodorididae
Best: Year-round
Two-banded Sea Bream
Diplodus vulgaris
Best: Year-round
Cuttlefish
Sepia officinalis
Best: April, May, June
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, scenic bay close to Xlendi. It is also a good 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