This dive is very popular with photographers due to the huge variety of fish species – flying gurnards (Dactylopterus volitans), stargazers (Uranoscopus scaber), picarel (Spicara flexuosa) and even seahorses (Hippocampus ramulosus).

There is an interesting cave about 100m along the right-hand wall in 14m which extends quite far in and has a sharp narrow twist to the left at the end. This entrance has many tiny holes and crevices with delicate lacy bryozoans (Reteporella septentrionalis) and lightbulb tunicates (Clavelina lepadiformis). You can surface inside the cave. The sheltered valley and shallow depths make the site very popular for night dives, and you will always find octopuses, burrowing starfish (Astropecten aranciacus) and razorfish (Xyrichthys novacula), which hide under the sand when you approach them.

Location:

At Mgarr ix-Xini inlet, around towards the private beach for the Ta’ Cenc hotel.

Access:

From the beach at the end of the inlet.

Conditions:

Sheltered and easy dive with little boat traffic but very popular with swimmers.

Average depth:

6m

Maximum depth:

14m

Average visibility:

15m