Places I have Dived

Choose from the Countries below to view a list of some of the dives available in that area.

Some may even contain Maps of the dive.

Dives marked with * I recommend.

Which can be very useful if you are planning a trip of your own.

Malta	Gozo	Comino

Marfa - Madonna*	Blue Hole*	Comino Caves*
Marfa - The Rozi (Wreck)*	Inland Sea*	Alex's Cave*
Marfa - The Arch	Coral Cave*	Santa Maria Reef*
Paradise Bay*	Reqqa Point*	Lighthouse Point*
L-Ahrax Bay	Xlendi Ferry (Wreck)*
Dragonara Cave*
Smugglers Cove
Slugs Bay / Sharks Bay
Anchor Bay (Popeye Village)*
Coralita Barge (Wreck)
Hms Maori (Wreck)*
Migra Ferha*
Ghar Lapsi (Cave)*
Blue Grotto
Um-El-Faroud (Wreck)*

I have dived many other sites.If you would like to find out which others then mail me.
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If you plan to go to Sosua, I would have to strongly recommend that you visit a bar called Rocky's.
Mark is the owner, and he makes anyone feel welcome. While at the restaraunt, you have to try either
the Steak or his Famous Ribs. He also has accommodation at a very reasonable price. He hosts an
online Yahoo community called "The Sosua info club". Contact details are below.

ROCKY'S ROCK & BLUES BAR
Bar - Restaurant - Hotel.
Sosua,Dominican Republic
Telephone (809) 571-2951
http://www.rockysbar.com

Marfa - Madonna

Max Depth 25m, usual dive time approx 35-40min (Recommend 10ltr Cylinder). Highlights of the dive is the drop off from 6m down to 25m. The Statue of the Madonna at 18m, placed there by locals to protect all divers visiting the area. A small swim-thru (tunnel) at 12m. Map is available.

Marfa - The Rozi (For Experienced Divers) (Wreck)

Max Depth 36m, usual dive time approx 40-45min (Recommend 15ltr Cylinder). A good Wreck dive. Keep an eye out for moray and conger eels. Best dived with someone who knows the area well. Best reached by a 5-10min surface swim. Then drop straight on it. Keep an eye on your NO-DECO time. It is very easy to forget. Wreck is of a Tug Boat, sunk purposely as artificial reef and for divers. If you go down into the back, just be careful as there are pieces of metal sticking out. On the way back you should see a large anchor which rests at 30m. Map is available.

Marfa - The Arch

Max Depth 19m, usual dive time approx 35-40min (Recommend 10ltr Cylinder). On this dive there is a swim-thru at about 15m and of course the arch. Not an amazing dive, but it is worth it. Map is available.

Paradise Bay

Max Depth 26m, usual dive time approx 40-45min (Recommend 12ltr Cylinder). This is a fantastic site if you have time to explore the large boulders. There are many swim-thru's, but you have to find them. At start of dive there is also another small arch. I suggest you have your own boots as the rocks can be very hard on your feet. Don't leave any valuables in your vehicle as the fisherman are not very friendly towards divers. Map is available.

L-Ahrax

Max Depth 13m, usual dive time 30-40min (Recommend 10ltr Cylinder). To be totally honest about this dive, it's crap. If you like fining and are able to reach the drop off around the right hand side of the bay, it will get a lot better. It's even possible to reach Dragonara Cave from here. Bigger cylinders could be useful. Map is available.

Dragonara Cave (Boat Dive)

Max Depth 23m, usual dive time approx 35-40min (Recommend 10ltr Cylinder). This is a beautiful dive. I would suggest that if you have a camera, then take it with you. Can be reached by shore from the above dive. But it's a very long swim. Map is available.

Smugglers Cove (Boat Dive)

Max Depth 17m, usual dive time approx 30-35min (Recommend 10ltr Cylinder). Beautiful dive with a very shallow open top cave.

Slugs Bay / Sharks Bay

Max Depth 9m, usual dive time approx 30-35min (Recommend 10ltr Cylinder). It is good place to spot octopus and cuttle fish. Don't worry about the name sharks bay. There are no sharks, but do keep your eyes open for fossilised sharks teeth. Best to find them after a bit of bad weather. Map is available.

Anchor Bay - Popeye Village (Cave)

Max Depth 11m, usual dive time approx 45-50min (Recommend 10ltr Cylinder). Try not to take anything with you to the dive site, unless it is going into the water with you. It's is very bad for thefts. Once you enter the water, follow the wall on the left side. Stay following until you find the entrance, it is hidden behind some large boulders. If you have been fining constantly for more than 15min, it's a good guess that you have missed the entrance. Have a good look around the cave. It gets shallower, the further you go in. You can surface in most of the cave. Keep your eyes open for a couple of large conger eels. There is even a large anchor, about 10 metres away from the end of the jetty. Map is available.

Coralita Barge (Wreck)

Max Depth 22m, usual dive time approx 35-40min (Recommend 10ltr Cylinder). Near the entrance of this dive is an old quarantine hospital. Do not go inside, who knows what you might catch. Beware of the silt on this dive. It is very easy to loose your buddy and destroy the visibility. Make sure you know your procedures for missing divers. On this dive you should come across a car, lots of bottles, beds, bath tubs etc.. as well as the wreck. DO NOT PENETRATE this wreck. It is dangerous, and there is nothing to see. It is easy to do a saw tooth profile on this dive, remember to start at deep end first. Map is available.

Hms Maori (Wreck)

Max Depth 14m, usual dive time approx 35-40min (Recommend 10ltr Cylinder). A good dive to have a play around on a wreck. It was sunk in the grand harbour and later moved to where it sits now, the stern end broke off during the move. It is not known where it is. This really is a nice dive. It can be a bit tricky to find. The general direction is head on 20Degrees until you reach the small drop down to the sand. If you hit 14m or deeper then turn right. If you hit less than 9m, turn left. There is a large swim-thru, be aware that it is easy to disturb the visibility inside. Map is available.

Migrah Ferha (For Experienced Divers Only) (Deep)

Max Depth 30m+, usual dive time approx 35-40min (Recommend 15ltr Cylinder). It's important that you check the entry/exit before you start. I hope you like climbing, and I hope you feel fit. To start, you have to climb down about 130 steps. Once in the water, stay to the right hand side, you should come across a swim-thru and quite a lot of car wrecks. Watch your depth and be careful. Let people know that you are coming to this site. And if there is any current, abort the dive. This site has only one entry/exit. Use it wisely. It's a very good dive and very interesting. Good luck with the climb back up the hill. Take it easy.

Ghar Lapsi (Cave)

Max Depth 18m, usual dive time approx 35-40min (Recommend 10ltr Cylinder). To start, it is a shallow dive, with a narrow cave. So mind your head. The entrance to the cave next to the ladders on the other side of the small bay, and under a little arch. Follow the cave to the right. When you exit the cave be sure to note where you came out, or you will have to swim all the way around to get back into the bay. Also be sure to note the current. Every time I have dived here, there has been a current. Use the map provided to plan where you would like to go. There are a few options. Map is available.

Blue Grotto

Max Depth 21m, usual dive time approx 35-40min (Recommend 10ltr Cylinder). There can be strong currents in this area. Also watch out for the many boat ferrying tourists. Some of them even trail fishing lines. There is a small chimney cave here around the right hand side. Entrance is at the bottom on the sand. If you choose to exit from the top of the cave. Beware it can be quite tight, suck that chest in. Keep your eyes peeled for sea horses. This is the only place I have seen them on Malta. On your way back, remember the boats going over head. Map is available.

Um-El-Faroud (For Experinced Divers) (Wreck)

Max Depth 35m, usual dive time approx 40-45min (Recommend 15ltr Cylinder). This is probably the best dive on Malta. Sometimes you'll see barracuda, tuna, eels, and even sun fish. Was sunk there to form artificial reef, and for divers. There is a commemorative plaque outside the wheel house on the front. To honour the Maltese locals who died when there was an explosion in dry-docks. There can be very strong currents. Best dived with a good guide. If you do penetrate, make sure you know what you are doing. Have fun. Map is available.

Blue Hole

Max Depth 30m+, usual dive time approx 45-50min (Recommend 15ltr Cylinder). This dive is great. The sheltered entry/exit area make this place dive-able in moderately rough water. If the waves are crashing over wall and into the pool like area then it's too rough. Here is the most likely place to spot groupers. The dive mainly consists of descending thru the blue whole, swimming out and around the leg of the big arch (The Azure Window), then returning to the blue whole and having a look around the rather large cave just beneath the entry/exit. When your on your way back up to the surface, there is a nice little ledge at 5m, which is a great place to do your safety stop. Map is available.

Inland Sea

Max Depth 30m+, usual dive time approx 35-40min (Recommend 15ltr Cylinder). Entry is from the slipway. Remember it is slippery. Swim over to the entrance of the cave on the left hand side. Descend out side the cave. Then swim into the cave making sure you stay as close to the left wall. Also try to stay close to the bottom. The cave above is a channel for small motor boats. Surfacing inside the cave/tunnel is extremely dangerous as the boat will not be able to see you. If you do have to surface, stay very close to the wall. If you have a torch use it. When you have gone thru to the other side, it is your choice to which wall you follow, either left or right. Watch your depth. You can see large groupers here and even barracuda. I suggest you return when the first person gets to 120bar. Map is available.

Coral Cave

Max Depth 30m, usual dive time 35-45min (Recommend 15ltr Cylinder). The entry point is to the left, before you get to the railings used to get to the blue hole dive. Although the exit is from the blue hole. You should be entering the water right above the cave. All you have to do is descend and be amazed at such a big cave the opens up to you. This is probably the most colourful and coral rich place on the islands. It's is well worth taking your time, and having a really good look around. there is a smaller cave to the back of this. But only go in one at a time. It is very easy to loose visibility inside. I'd also suggest a line. It's not very big, but there is usually lots of shrimp inside. As you exit the cave, just follow the wall to the right and eventually after about 10-15min you'll reach the blue hole. Map is available.

Reqqa Point

Max Depth 30m+, usual dive time approx 35-40min (Recommend 15ltr Cylinder). This has to be my most favourite entry point on the island. If you are daring enough. You can either stumble your way down to the point over sharp rocks to get to the waters edge, or you could take a giant leap of faith. It's fantastic. When you are in the water it really does not matter which way you go. As you are bound to enjoy the dive. Lots of tuna in this area. Underwater there is a metal ladder, if you go to the left of this and go to about 18m there is an entrance to a chimney cave. It is possible to exit the cave with a 15ltr tank strapped to your back. This place holds special memories for me. I shall not forget it. Map is available.

Xlendi Ferry (For Experienced Divers Only) (Wreck)

Max Depth 42m, usual dive time 30-40min (Recommend 15ltr Cylinder). A very good wreck dive. Best to dive it with some one who knows where it is. It's a good idea to have extra air, just in case. Park your vehicle sensibly, as you may block others, if it has been raining, don't park on the mud, or you will get stuck. The wreck is good. it is resting upside down. The shallowest part is at 30m. The inside is falling apart quickly. Just keep a look out. I would also suggest a few good torches. Don't venture away from your buddy. When on your way back, there is a nice large ledge for a safety stop. Keep your eyes open for sting rays, and other larger life.

Comino Caves

Max Depth 20m, usual dive time approx 50-60min (Recommend 12ltr Cylinder). I hope you have taken some bread with you to feed the fish. The fish here have become quite large. The are a variety of bream. The dive consists mainly of a large tunnel, which has an open air pool inside, a couple of arches, and a swim thru. It is a very good dive, and your most likely going to see, the most fish in one area than you'll ever see around the Maltese islands. It is a great trip and well worth the boat ride. Map is available.

Alex's Cave

Max Depth 18m, usual dive time approx 35-40min (Recommend 10ltr Cylinder). Another cave dive on Comino. You should start the dive by going thru a very beautiful arch. Keeping the wall to your right while swimming along. You'll come to a cave. I hope you have a good torch. This caves gets very dark. It is possible to surface towards the very back of the cave. But I would not recommend it if you have been having problems with clearing your ears. There is no other way out but the way you came. When on the sand look out for rays, eels and flounders. Map is available.

Santa Maria Reef

Max depth 18m, usual dive time approx 35-40min (Recommend 10ltr Cylinder). I could not believe, that in all my time diving the islands of Malta, I had never dived this site before. It was fantastic. There was a big arch to the right of where we entered the water, this had lots of very colourful coral. We also had a couple a large tuna swim swiftly bye. It was simply amazing. If you do go to Mata, I would strongly suggest trying to find someone who knows this site.

Lighthouse Point

Max depth 30m+, usual dive time approx 35-40min (Recommend 15ltr Cylinder). Beware of the currents in this area. The is a large bottle shape cave here. To find, head towards the point. You should come across a whole which drops down into it. There is an exit at the bottom. It's important to watch your depth as you follow the wall. If you stayed shallow, and followed the top of the wall, it becomes an impressive drop off. Leaving you the option of going thru the bottle on the way back. Watch your head for other boats that might be dropping their anchor.

Pete's Bay

Max Depth 17m, usual dive time approx 50-60min (Recommend 10ltr Cylinder). Rocky Shore Entry. A shallow dive, but very colourful. Not a lot of fish, but do keep eye open for octopus, groupers in the distance and even rays.

Lar's Drop

Max Depth 20m, usual dive time approx 60-70min (Recommend 12ltr Cylinder). A little surface swim to descent point. We dropped down to 6m then gradually worked our way deeper. A few overhangs and a few small caves. Very easy and relaxing dive. Look for groupers, barracuda and eels.

Dawn Dive

Max Depth 20m, usual dive time 40-45min (Recommend 12ltr Cylinder). Lots of larger fish, in this area. Also loads of sponges. Water looks to be very rich in plankton. Can be tricky to get out of the water when wind picks up.

No Fish Bay (Fakowi Bay)

Max Depth 15m, usual dive time approx 60min (Recommend 10ltr Cylinder). Dive also known as Fakowi bay, because if your navigation goes wrong and you surface, it's a case of "Where the F***K are We". Long surface swim to get some depth. Lots of parrot fish, sting rays and groupers. There are a few nets lying around. Just watch where your going.

Three Rocks

Max Depth 8 - 12m, dive time around 40min. Mostly dived with inexperienced divers. Large amounts of fish, mostly sargeant majors, yellow fin snappers. Small morays are also to be seen here sometimes. On a few ocassions large crabs have been hiding in holes. Dive site is named because there are three rocks, two relatively large and one small. Beware of boats on surface. Is possible to swim to coral gardens from here. Heading 330 degrees from the middle rock.

Coral Gardens

Max Depth 18m, dive time around 40mins. Very beautiful dive. Each visit is different. Good for all level of divers. Fish to be seen vary, keep special eye open for snake eels, sting rays and morays.

La Puntilla

Max Depth 14m, dive time around 45min. Not really a great dive. Coral is in bad condition, lots of rubish. However have been surprised many times with variety of aquatic life. Keep look out for sting rays, bat fish, and puffer fish. Shallow Reef and one swim thru to the right of the buoy along the shore. Beware of fishing line on this dive as there is a lot. Boats pass overhead, surface near your boat.

Paradise 2

Max Depth 35-40m, dive time around 40min. One of my favourite dives. Wall Dive. Shallowest part of dive is 18m on top of reef. At the bottom of reef depth is about 33m. You can swim further out to reach about 40m or more. There are a couple of large boulders there which are very interesting and sometimes house large aquatic life such as octopus and lobster. Keep wall on your left until it ends. Then go to top of reef at 18m and follow edge back. Simple dive. Mooring line makes easy safety stop.

Canyon

Max Depth 19m, dive time as usual around 40min. Another nice dive. Do not expect grand canyon. Site is called canyon because of the gap between two reefs. The life around the canyon is impressive. Please do be careful not to break/damage any life here. I saw my first ever short nosed bat fish here. Well worth a dive. Once swam thru canyon, I prefer to turn left and follow reef. The right hand side is also good, but not as mush to see.

Airport

Max Depth 35m, dive time also 35-45min. Boat moores up to line. Descend line and follow reef wall in either direction. Personally I prefer keeping the wall on my right. This can be a good dive. Keep an eye out towards the open sea as you may see some large fish around. Use the top of the reef to return to ascent point at beginning of dive. Top of reef has more coral to look at.

Zingara Wreck (For experienced Divers)

Max Depth 36m, dive time around 25min. The wreck is an old cargo vessel, believed to have been used to transport sugar caine. It was purposely sank to form an artificial reef and a site for the local dive centres. This is a good dive, but do make sure you have a hang tank at 5m. Keep an eye on both your air gauge and no-stop time. 15min is enough time to have a swim around the whole wreck on the outside and still have time to play in the wheel house. This is my most favourite dive but then again, I do like wreck dives.