5 Reasons to Choose Gozo for a Break This Winter
It is always tough adjusting to the new year, especially if you are battling the doom and gloom of winter weather at home. Here are 5 reasons to escape to gorgeous Gozo this spring and start the year off right...
1 - Experience the Island at Its Most Stunning.
Gozo, in my opinion, is at its most beautiful in spring.
The more earthy tones of the summer landscape are replaced by lush greenery after the first rain of the year. That vibrant, fresh green palette against the rugged rocky backdrop of the Gozitan coastline is truly stunning.
Anyone looking to explore the natural beauty that Gozo has to offer will love the cooler climate, perfect for longer walking routes. Also, the wide array of vibrant wildflowers lining the walking routes around the island will only add to the beautiful picture that Mother Nature has painted for us here.
2 - Not a Fan of Busy Dive Sites? Now is the time to visit!
If you are someone who enjoys a more tranquil, slower, and more personal dive experience, then the early part of the year would suit you perfectly. Due to the slightly colder water temperatures expected in the early part of the year (January to April), dive sites are extremely quiet. For the most part, they are deserted or at least extremely peaceful. What a blessing it is to experience the incredible dive sites that Gozo has to offer without the crowds! This lack of activity at dive sites also allows marine life to thrive in the winter months, leading to some great sightings.
3 - It's Not So Cold After All...
Are you regularly diving at home, wherever that may be? Often, winter diving, at least for most locations in Europe, means dealing with cold water and difficult conditions.
Now, we cannot control the weather! However, here in Gozo, we often enjoy wonderful conditions all year round! The minimum water temperature here is 16 degrees Celsius, so if we dress properly, this is more than manageable. Also, as we are often blessed with sunny, calm weather, we can enjoy great visibility and forgiving conditions all year round!
4 - Taking Pictures? The Winter Season is a Great Time for Photographers.
If you are a keen photographer, then the winter season in Malta and Gozo may be a wise choice. As previously mentioned, the lush green landscapes make for amazing picture opportunities above the surface.
In addition to the great shots on land, divers will be able to tailor their wants and needs to dive centers much easier. Fewer divers mean a more personalized trip. Also, the lack of other divers at dive sites means you can enjoy images where your subject is the star of the show. It will be much easier to focus on your photography without the risk of divers entering your shot. Always great news!
Not only does the lack of other divers make your life easier behind the lens, but it means you will have plenty to shoot! Less activity from divers and boat traffic means that marine life sightings can be much richer. Plus, some species, for example, the John Dory, come up from the deep during these months to wow divers.
5 - There is Always a Safe Place to Dive.
Here in Gozo, our dive community is very lucky. The island is small, so within 20 minutes, we always have an option to find another dive site if our original plan doesn't work out.
If the weather is not completely kind to us, we are blessed to have a wide number of well-sheltered dive sites that are easily accessible from the shore. This means that no matter what the wind direction, there is usually a sheltered, safe and suitable option for us to get in the water and enjoy a great day's diving.
What more could we need for a short break? That is the way to start the year right!
We hope to see you soon!
The Blue Waters Team.