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The sea in Malta is warm. By July and August it regularly reaches 29-30 degrees Celsius, which means you can stay in the water for hours without thinking about it. I have lived here since 2011 and swim nearly every day in summer. I started taking my snorkelling mask along not because I planned a snorkelling trip, but because it makes a swim more interesting. You see fish. Sometimes something unexpected.
This guide covers 14 snorkelling spots across Malta, Gozo and Comino, with honest notes on what you will actually find at each one.
Is snorkelling in Malta worth it?
Malta is a good destination for snorkelling. The water is clean and clear, with visibility typically reaching 20-30 metres and up to around 40 metres in the clearest conditions. You can snorkel almost anywhere along the rocky coast except in harbour areas, and you do not need a boat or a guide. Sea temperatures in July and August regularly reach 29-30 degrees Celsius, so no wetsuit is needed for most of the season.
The variety of marine life is decent rather than spectacular: sea bass, octopus, moray eels, the occasional ray. The real draw is accessibility. Pull on a mask and you are underwater within minutes of arriving at almost any rocky beach. I am not sure it is dramatically different from other Mediterranean destinations, but it is consistently good and very easy to do independently.
What marine life can you see snorkelling in Malta?
The most common sightings along Malta’s rocky coastline are sea bass, octopus, moray eels, groupers, crabs and various reef fish. On sandy-bottomed bays you may spot stingrays resting on the seabed, and occasionally flying fish.
Octopus are worth watching for specifically. Go in the morning, when they are far more active and often visible in the shallows. They are easy to miss because they adapt to the colour and texture of the rocks around them, almost like chameleons. Once you know what to look for, you start seeing them regularly.
I once saw a turtle while swimming at Exiles in Sliema, close to the surf site. I had no idea they came that close to shore. I tried to follow it but it was considerably faster than me. Malta’s waters are also home to barracuda, snappers, shrimp, lobsters, sponges and sea caves where creatures that do not live in open water tend to congregate.
Best snorkelling spots in Malta
Wherever you go in Malta, bring your snorkelling mask. If the beach has a rocky coastline, swim along the rocks rather than staying on the sand. That is where the fish are. Most spots below are accessible on foot with no boat required. I have noted beginner-friendly options throughout. The map below shows all 14 locations: blue for Malta, yellow for Comino, green for Gozo.
Ghajn Tuffieha Beach (also called Riviera)
Swim along the rocks on either side of the beach rather than straight out to sea. You will see sea bass, crabs and octopus, and the light plays well around the rocky formations. On the sandy bottom, keep an eye out for stingrays. The depth is roughly 2-4 metres, making this one of the better beginner spots on the main island. My Ghajn Tuffieha guide has directions and tips for the beach itself.
Blue Grotto
The water here is deep and that deep blue colour is the point, not the fish count. You can swim along the colourful walls and see some fish, but the real experience is visual. Be aware of boats exploring the caves and note that currents can be present. Not suitable for beginners. My Blue Grotto guide has the full picture on visiting this area.
Munxar Window
A secluded bay near Marsaskala where, when the water is calm, you can swim through a natural limestone arch. There is marine life along the walls, but reaching the arch requires swimming a few hundred metres from the entry point. Not a beginner spot. Kayaking to the area is another option if you prefer not to swim the distance.
Exiles Beach, Sliema
My local spot. I live nearby and swim here regularly. It is a rocky city beach, which sounds unpromising, but the rock formations in the water are genuinely interesting. Sea bass groups are common, and it is the spot where I once came face to face with a turtle. The bay beside Independence Gardens is murkier with less to see, so head towards the open sea instead.
Ghar Lapsi
A natural swimming pool on the west side of the island, mostly locals rather than tourists, which is usually a good sign. The water inside the pool is shallow and very clear, and you can swim further out for deeper water and more fish. One of the best beginner spots on the main island. See my Ghar Lapsi guide for how to get there.
Paradise Bay Beach
A sandy beach where the snorkelling is along the rocky sides. The shallow entry makes it safe and manageable for first-timers. Accessible from Mellieha.
Imgiebah Beach
My favourite snorkelling spot on the main island. Sandy beach combined with a rocky coastline to explore, in shallow protected water where currents are not a concern. Good for beginners and experienced snorkellers alike. Full directions in my Imgiebah Beach guide.
Snorkelling in Comino
Comino is a small island between Malta and Gozo, accessible only by boat or ferry. In summer it gets extremely busy, but the snorkelling is genuinely good if you know where to look. My complete Blue Lagoon guide covers getting there and what to expect. If you would rather not organise the ferry yourself, I have listed the best Blue Lagoon boat tours too.
Blue Lagoon
Worth snorkelling despite the crowds. Stick to the rocky areas rather than the open swimming zone. The best thing you can do is swim across the lagoon to the rock formation on the opposite side. There is a short cave you can swim through, which most people miss completely. Watch out for boats moving through the area.
Crystal Lagoon Cave
Boat tours to Comino stop at Crystal Lagoon, where a short tunnel-like cave leads into a sheltered bay with a small sandy beach at the back. Small boats enter the tunnel, so swim along the wall to stay clear. It is dark inside but shallow at the end, opening into a small cove. One of my favourite snorkelling spots on Comino.
Santa Marija Caves
On the north side of Comino, harder to find, so use the map above. There is a natural swimming pool with two sea openings and a ladder leading down to the water, from which you can swim to other cave systems. Worth combining with Crystal Lagoon if you are already on the island.
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Snorkelling in Gozo
Gozo’s coastline is more dramatic than Malta’s, which makes for more varied snorkelling terrain: more caves, more rock formations, more depth variation in a short distance. My guide to boat trips in Malta covers how to get between the islands if you are planning time in the water on both.
Blue Hole, Dwejra
My favourite snorkelling spot in Gozo. The Blue Hole is a natural limestone sinkhole at Dwejra Bay, quite small, but the light through the cave opening that leads to the open sea is beautiful. Do not try to swim through the cave: it is too deep.
Outside the Blue Hole on the left, there is a shallow area with a good reef and plenty of fish. On the right, the sea drops sharply and the water turns that intense deep blue. If you want to go deeper, the Blue Hole is also one of Malta’s best scuba diving sites.
One important note: the entry is over sharp rocks and getting out can be genuinely difficult if there is any swell. Check conditions before you go and do not attempt it in a rough sea. The Inland Sea nearby is a calmer alternative on rough days.
Xwejni Bay
A very shallow bay with rocky surfaces, so wear aqua shoes here. Swim right towards the Xwejni rock, which is visible from the bay, and you will find underwater tunnels and interesting rock formations. One of my two favourite snorkelling spots in Gozo. My Xwejni Bay guide covers the area in more detail.
Ghasri Valley
A narrow canyon with a small pebble beach leading into a bay that opens to the sea. Swim along the walls and you will see plenty of marine life. The depth increases gradually from the beach outwards, making this a good option for beginners who want something more dramatic than a sandy bay.
Ramla Bay
Swim along the rocks on either side of this red-sand beach rather than in the open water. You will see sea bass, moray eels and crabs. Shallow and safe for first-timers. More on the beach in my Ramla Beach guide.
When is the best time to snorkel in Malta?
The snorkelling season runs from roughly April through November. June to September is warmest, with sea temperatures in July and August regularly reaching 29-30 degrees Celsius, which means you can stay in the water for hours. May and October are quieter with excellent visibility, though the water is cooler at around 19-22 degrees Celsius. For a full seasonal breakdown, my guide to the best time to visit Malta goes into more detail. For summer-specific advice, see my guide to summer in Malta.
Do you need a wetsuit for snorkelling in Malta?
In the main summer months, no. Sea temperatures in July and August regularly reach 29-30 degrees Celsius, so a wetsuit would be uncomfortable rather than useful. In May, early June, or October and November, a shorty or thin wetsuit can be worth having for longer sessions, when the water is typically around 19-22 degrees Celsius. Outside those months, most people do not need one.
Safety tips for snorkelling in Malta
The most specific hazard in Malta is boats. If you are snorkelling anywhere that is not a designated swimming area, use a surface marker buoy: a brightly coloured float that attaches to your snorkel tube and signals your position to passing vessels. In areas where a lot of boats gather, this is not optional.
Do not go in if the sea is rough, especially at rocky entry points. Getting into the water is usually straightforward; getting out when there is swell can be genuinely dangerous. The Blue Hole in Gozo is the most common example of this. Watch out for jellyfish too. I have written a separate guide on jellyfish in Malta covering when they are most likely to appear. Do not swim too far from the coast if you are alone, and wear plenty of sun protection on long sessions. Summer light on the water is deceptive.
Tips for beginner snorkellers
Snorkelling in Malta is well suited to beginners because conditions are generally calm and entry at most beaches is shallow. The main rule is to start shallow: get used to breathing through the mask before heading into deeper water. Stick to the spots marked as beginner-friendly above. Ghar Lapsi, Imgiebah, Paradise Bay and the Blue Lagoon at Comino are all good starting points.
Use fins. They make movement much more efficient and help you keep up with fish rather than watching them disappear ahead of you. Bring aqua shoes for any rocky entry, which covers most spots outside the sandy beaches. If you need gear, rental from a dive shop runs roughly 10-20 euros per day for a basic set. Avoid tourist souvenir shops for equipment: the same items cost significantly more.
Do you need a guide for snorkelling in Malta?
In most cases, no. All the spots in this guide are accessible on foot and easy to find with a map. Malta is not a destination where a guide takes you to locations you could not reach independently. The snorkelling spots are along the public coastline.
If you are a complete beginner and want a briefing on using the equipment and some basic safety guidance, a guided trip can be useful for the confidence it provides. Guided snorkelling tours typically cost between 40 and 80 euros per person, including boat transport and basic gear. You can book a snorkelling tour here.
For snorkelling specifically, guides are much less common than for scuba diving in Malta, where a guide makes a genuine difference. Snorkelling is considered the independent option in Malta’s water sports scene.
If you want everything planned out, I put together a stress-free 7-day Malta itinerary that takes the guesswork out of the order.
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Frequently asked questions about snorkelling in Malta
Can you snorkel at the Blue Lagoon in Malta?
Yes – the Blue Lagoon in Comino is one of the most popular snorkelling spots in Malta. The water is shallow, turquoise, and warm in summer, making it ideal for beginners. There is also a small cave in the rock opposite the main beach that you can swim through. Arrive early in the morning to avoid the summer crowds.
How much does a snorkelling tour in Malta cost?
Guided snorkelling tours in Malta typically cost between €40 and €80 per person, including boat transport and basic equipment. You can also rent a mask and fins independently for around €5 to €10 per day and explore at your own pace.
Is snorkelling in Malta suitable for children?
Yes, snorkelling in Malta is well suited to children, particularly at sheltered spots such as the Blue Lagoon in Comino and St Peter’s Pool. The sea is calm in summer, warm, and has good visibility. Always ensure children wear a floatation aid when swimming in open water.
