Gozo’s Top Dive Sites: Reqqa Reef
Reqqa point, or Ras ir-Reqqa in Maltese, is the most northerly point on Gozo. This little outcrop marks the entry point for one of the north coast’s many great dives and often boasts an abundance of marine life.
The experience begins before even entering the water. Gozo’s north coast is rugged and the small ‘road’ down to the coast can be pretty exciting for anyone who is not familiar. This part of the island is beautiful, with the warm honey colour of the rugged limestone cliffs contrasting with the azure waters.
The entrance point here has a little shelter from the west from the rocky point. You can enter from a ladder, a few metres tall, or by making a giant stride entry from the small flat shelf on the point.
Once in the water you can descend, the bottom here sits at around 20m. It slowly slopes away with large boulders, eventually reaching around 60m when the sand levels out.
After descending you can follow the wall, it will be on your left shoulder. There is a small swim through which takes you to 30m if you are planning a deeper dive. This is a great place for it, with the wall at this point continuing to 60m. Tec divers and those looking to explore the deeper waters around the coast will be treated to some bigger fish. It is not uncommon to see some big Grouper, as well as Dentex and other predatory fish, around this point!
After some time you will start to ascend, making your way around a small pinnacle as the wall turns left, almost back on itself. This area is usually full of life, so keep your eyes open.
I like to spend as much time as I can around this area. Once looping around the pinnacle you can ascend to 20-18m. There is a nice plateau which makes up much of the reef. Here there are many places for the likes of Octopus, Lobster, Moray and Cuttlefish to hide, so take your time and explore the many cracks and crevices.
On top of the plateau you can sit and just watch the many species of reef fish go about their business. It is wonderful to move slowly and just appreciate the many colours, shapes and sizes moving around you in a synchronised dance. You can expect to find some large shoals of Salpa, the silver and yellow fish moving as one. In the summer Amberjack and Blue Runner hunt the smaller Damselfish, making for some great viewing.
The fact that this area is the most ‘busy’ means that confident Open Water divers can still enjoy the marine life in this more shallow area.
Once you reach your turn pressure you can make your way back slowly, keeping the wall on your right side until you reach the area under the ladder. Here you can make a safety/deco stop before exiting. Those that are looking for a slightly more adventurous way to finish the dive, if they have time, could also explore the chimney which goes from 18m-10/8m just to the left side of the exit point.
Reqqa Reef is perfect for those that enjoy marine life dives over anything else. The topography is still stunning, but this area makes certainly boasts a regular abundance of fish.
Get in touch for some information and the possibility of joining us to dive this iconic site.