Cirkewwa Arch

Mellieha · Northern Malta · Malta

Cirkewwa Arch sits at the northwestern tip of Malta, where the ferry terminal for Gozo overlooks a rocky coastline that drops into some of the clearest water in the central Mediterranean. This is Malta's most-dived shore site, and for good reason: a natural limestone arch at accessible depth, abundant marine life, and the option to extend deeper to the nearby MV Rozi tugboat wreck, all accessible from an easy shore entry with parking and facilities. The entry is among the best in Malta. Concrete steps with handrails lead into shallow water over a sandy bottom, and from there a short swim brings you to the reef edge where the seabed drops away. The arch itself is unmistakable: a broad limestone bridge at roughly 10 metres depth, wide enough for several divers to pass through simultaneously. Swimming through the arch toward the open sea, the light effect is classic Mediterranean, electric blue water framing the arch's opening with the silhouette of the reef beyond. I have dived Cirkewwa dozens of times across all seasons, and its reliability is its greatest asset. On all but the most storm-affected days, visibility exceeds 25 metres. The water temperature ranges from a brisk 15 degrees in February to a comfortable 27 degrees in August. The arch itself is the focal point, but the surrounding reef provides excellent diving in its own right. Octopuses are common in the rocky reef around the arch, often visible during the day tucked into crevices with just their tentacles exposed. Moray eels inhabit several permanent holes that local divemasters know well. Schools of damselfish and ornate wrasse swirl around the reef structure, and the occasional Mediterranean barracuda patrols the blue water off the reef edge.