Where to snorkel in Malta, Gozo and Comino

Snorkelling is the cheapest way to see what lies under Malta’s surface, and in these islands it’s well worth seeing. With a mask, a snorkel and a calm sea, Gozo and Comino give you caves, arches and pools that elsewhere you’d only reach with a tank. Here’s my pick, built on what the official sources say.

Gozo, the snorkelling island

If I had to choose one island for snorkelling, it would be Gozo. The Ministry for Gozo names its best sites as San Dimitri Point in the west, Wied il-Għasri in the north and the Blue Hole at Dwejra. For colourful marine life, it recommends Reqqa Point in the north and Xatt l-Aħmar in the south.

The Blue Hole is the one that pulls me in. The Ministry for Gozo describes it as a 25-metre-deep hole connected to the open sea eight metres down by a submerged arch. From the surface you can already see the chimney and the light pouring in, and for me it proves a snorkel is no consolation prize. The whole area is covered in my guide to Dwejra.

Wied il-Għasri is something else entirely. A deep gorge dropping between rock walls to a pebbly cove, with steps cut into the cliff. The Ministry for Gozo itself warns that in rough weather it’s spectacular, but to be admired from a safe distance. I’d only go in when the sea is flat. More in my guide to Wied il-Għasri.

Comino, caves and turquoise water

A quarter of an hour by boat from Mġarr lies Comino. The Ministry for Gozo recommends the Santa Marija Caves to snorkellers and divers, a network of sea caves full of rock formations and marine life. Its dive profiles class them as beginner dives no deeper than 10 metres, with a passage cutting clean through the headland and clouds of seabream used to being fed bread. They’re shallow, which makes them ideal with a snorkel.

The Blue Lagoon is the other big draw, with turquoise water and a clear seabed. The trouble is the crowds, which is why, from 1 May 2025, landing requires a free slot and numbers are capped at 4,000. If you’re snorkelling there, the morning slot is the one I’d book. Bring water and sun cream too, because the Ministry for Gozo warns that Comino has no shops beyond a few seasonal kiosks. The booking rules are explained in the Blue Lagoon on Comino guide, and the rest of the island in Comino.

With children in tow, the Ministry for Gozo points to two gentler options. Xlendi Bay and Ħondoq ir-Rummien offer all sorts of fun in the water, from banana rides to pedalos and canoes, and on Comino, Santa Marija Bay has sand and shallow water that suits younger swimmers. I’d start small ones there with a mask before trying any cave.

What about the main island?

You can snorkel on Malta itself, although the official sources say less. What I do know is that the Spanish Foreign Ministry warns of falling rock at three popular rocky swimming spots, Għar Lapsi, Kalanka and St Peter’s Pool, and advises against swimming near Magħtab. And that the Malta Tourism Authority runs snorkelling events as part of its beach campaigns. At Ċirkewwa, next to Paradise Bay, there’s also a protected marine area closely tied to diving.

Rules and safety

Three things I’d keep in mind. First, the MTA’s flags, with purple for jellyfish, red for high hazard and double red for no swimming. Second, the Ministry for Gozo reminds visitors that spearfishing isn’t allowed inside marine conservation zones. And third, snorkelling in caves and gorges is for calm days only.

If you catch the bug and want to go deeper, the natural next step is a try-dive with an MTA-licensed centre. It’s all in my guide to diving in Malta.

When to snorkel in Malta

June to October. The water averages 22°C in June, climbs to 26.1°C in September and still reads 24°C in October, going by the Met Office norms, and the Ministry for Gozo puts the floor at 14°C. September, for me, is the perfect month, warm in the water and past the August peak.