This dive is best started on the right-hand side of a steeply sloping wall, which drops down underwater to a huge cluster of large, rounded boulders covered in algae, sea urchins and brilliant coloured starfish (Ophidiaster ophidianus).

The shallows are also home to huge number of damselfish (Chromis chromis) and seahorses (Hippocampus ramulosus) can occasionally be seen, almost perfectly camouflaged among the spiky algae. The best part of this dive, however, is the cave itself. The entrance is only 5m below the surface and leads you through to a huge domed vault, where you can surface.

As the dome extends above water level, there is no danger here of your exhalations disrupting marine species on the ceiling. Although there are few fish in the cave, the walls are covered in delicate corals, hydroids, sponges and golden zoanthids (Parazoanthus axinellae). The interior of the cave’s seabed is covered in massive boulders and the view to the outside blue of the ocean is breathtaking, perfect for diver-silhouette photographs.

Location:

Between Reqqa Point and Forna point, a very distinctive deep winding cut in the headland.

Access:

Can be done from the shore, but requires an arduous climb (particularly after it has rained, when the valley silts up very quickly), over rock and down steps and then a long snorkel swim. Best done by dive boat.

Conditions:

Sheltered inlet ideal for all levels of diver.

Average depth:

12m (in cave) to 30m

Maximum depth:

30m

Average visibility:

25m