Gozo’s Top Dive Sites: Cathedral Cave

Cathedral Cave, or the Blue Dome, is an iconic dive which showcases the true beauty of diving Gozo and Malta.

On Gozo’s North Coast, just to the east of the idyllic Wied il-Għasri, sits one of the most unique and spellbinding dive sites in the Maltese islands.
There are 2 options to enter the water for this dive. Either Wied il-Għasri (Għasri valley) itself, or from a ladder on the opposite side of the cave. Whichever way you choose, there will be a 15-25 minute swim to the entrance of this magical place. This is time that can be well spent, with an abundance of marine life to be spotted. Cuttlefish and octopus are commonly found in the valley, while the deeper water on the other side being the perfect environment for Blue Runner Jacks, Amberjack and Grouper, often seen hunting as you swim along the wall.

The cave entrance is huge. Divers must swim through a spectacular archway which invites divers into the cave. It is worth to spend a little time exploring the cave, which is littered with huge boulders, creating perfect hiding places for animals that prefer the dark. The cave becomes shallower the further back you go, with a kind-of shelf at the back sitting at 6m, making it the perfect place for a safety stop.
For me, this is the most beautiful way imaginable to spend the 3 minutes. Facing the cave entrance you are greeted with deep blue, crystal clear water, framed by the silhouette of the huge archway. This image is then mirrored on the surface. A truly beautiful play of light. To sit and enjoy the view invites a completely calm, meditative state.
After the 3 minute stop divers can enjoy a unique experience of surfacing inside the cave. This natural ‘Cathedral’ is very, very impressive. The scale. The colour of the stone. The acoustics. The electric blue water, dancing as it ripples with the movements of your body. It is my favourite place in Gozo.
There is light and fresh air coming into the cavern through a crack in the wall. This means you can remove your regulator, relax and enjoy the experience for as long as you like.

Once you decide it is time to head back, descending into the cave, you can enjoy the spectacular archway as you swim through slowly. This also makes for amazing photo opportunities for anyone with a camera.

The swim back can then be used as a very relaxed cruise. If it is necessary to save air you can make the swim at a very shallow depth and will still have plenty of chances to find some lovely little critters.

This is a dive not to be missed on a trip to the rock.