Is a ladder rickety or missing? Any dangers that someone could do something about? Are you noticing illegal activities on site? Do you have a suggestion to improve the diving facilities on site? Or on the positive side: Something well done that you would like to let others know, like addition / change of ladders or good maintenance of public utilities? Tell authorities and visitors to this website about it by filling the form below.
Current entries received from you
| Date | Name of diving site | Site issue, Comment or Message to send to authorities and divers about this diving site | File Upload (Publicly viewable) | Issue status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18/07/2024 | Xatt l-Ahmar - Haepheastus entry | Entry ladder for MT Haephastus at xatt l-Ahmar missing wooden grips and very slippery | Open / Current Issue | |
| 26/05/2024 | Cathedral Cave entry by ladder | Not sure whether this has been reported but I was told the ladder is missing/needs fixing. The inlet is often called Ras il Kanun. --- Update 1/7/2024 - divers reported this to have been fixed about two weeks ago. | Resolved | |
| 23/05/2024 | Xatt L'Ahmar | Only one ladder at the entry and that needs some repairs. The second ladder has disappeared. | Open / Current Issue | |
| 05/05/2024 | Xatt l-Ahmar, Mgarr ix-Xini, Ras il-Hobz, Reqqa Point | Lack of toilets means that tourist divers have nowhere to go to relieve themselves before, in between or after dives, except for bushes! The Gozitan diving industry could be rewarded with a few more mobile toilets at key spots such as Xatt l-ahmar (three wrecks and Hephaestus entry), Mgarr ix-Xini, Ras il-Hobz and Reqqa Point. Spent hundreds to come dive to Gozo & then relieve yourself in the bushes, or behind rocks! The most disgusting pictures are sent in private not to disgust the readers! Divinginfo.mt update 07/05/2024 -- Response from Public entity: "The mobile toilets in Xatt l-Ahmar and Mgarr ix-Xini will be in place in two days..most probably tomorrow.". Additional feedback was provided for the two other sites. | 20240502_104413.jpg 20240502_104434.jpg 20240502_105633.jpg 20240502_110241.jpg 20240502_110303.jpg | Open / Current Issue |
| 23/04/2024 | Mgarr ix-Xini | No toilets in place but loooots of divers (10+ trucks) which use the bushes at the back of the Cafe. Disgusting! | 20240423_124839.jpg | Open / Current Issue |
| 30/04/2024 | Xatt L’Ahmar Wrecks | The only ladder in place from the 2, needs serious maintenance as it is just kept in place by 1 chain, the rest is hanging broken | Open / Current Issue | |
| 30/04/2024 | Cirkewwa - P29 and ROzi | Commercial boats driving over the P29 and Rozi Wrecks against notice to mariners 215 of 2023. Boats in video are clearly identifiable and should be at the very least warned! Update 07/09/2024 - A new notice to Mariners was issued which now outlaws all boat traffic, save for diving support boats. | 2024-04-30_21-15-03.mp4 | Partly resolved |
| 30/04/2024 | Anchor Bay | Extremely slippery on the jetty and walk way to the ladder First ladder is missing (from road down to jetty) plus, hand rail is missing The second ladder on the jetty is very loose Update: 07/09/2024 - During a visit on site we noted these issues were sorted. | Resolved | |
| 29/04/2024 | Anchor Bay - Popeye Village | Anchor Bay (old broken quay side) - Still no safe ladder / pathway for safe entrance/exit for scuba divers. Also, the whole path going down is full of fallen rocks and debris. I see in the list that its been reported two years ago! Can this site be made safer, with anti-rockfall netting? A general cleanup would be nice too! Divinginfo.mt update: Cleansing & maintenance Department reply 01/05/2024: "issues for beach ladders and cleaning of bay were forwarded to the relative sections" Divinginfo.mt update: On-site visit on 07/09/2024 - General cleanup had been carried out and beach ladders and a pathway were present. | 20240429_192233.jpg 20240429_192243_001.jpg | Resolved |
| 27/04/2024 | Exiles Beach / Tug 2 | No entry ladder under the Paradise Exiles entry - missing for a few weeks now. MTA - update 29/04/2024 - "Our contractor had been informed and a new ladder has been ordered. Hopefully it will be installed within the coming weeks." Update 29/052024 - Issue has been resolved as seen from pictures on social media. | Resolved | |
| 26/04/2024 | Xatt l-Aħmar and Reqqa Point, mgarr ix-xini, Ras il-Hobz | No portaloo /bathroom facilties at any of these sites, with visiting divers having to use bushes and trees, and a general mess thus caused. Somone forgot that Gozo has a diving Industry? How can instructors tell tourists to go in bushes to relieve themselves??? | Open / Current Issue | |
| 22/03/2024 | Xatt l-Ahmar | The video attached shows sewage or dirty water runoff that is ongoing for weeks at Xatt l-Ahmar, in Ghajnsielem, Gozo. This spot is a popular diving site that is used year-round and frequented by both locals and tourists. Divers on site report the smell to be disgusting. Can you kindly direct WSC drainage staff to try to find the source of leaks and sort this once and for all? Ideally, a cleaning up operation is needed too as the stagnant water in pools makes the area feel like a cesspit. | 434148417_25073810968933473_1259519947226970844_n-1.mp4 10000000_6857601074346393_6140579917112540825_n-1.mp4 432601587_392551883542553_6497363553526560075_n-1.jpg 432579174_3644900295730637_3258941788020849375_n-1.jpg 432574432_385532064433664_4867696605568047518_n-1.jpg | Resolved |
| 25/02/2024 | Xatt l-ahmar / MT Hephaestus | A contributor to our site has advised us today that the path to access the Xatt l-Ahmar diving site has been washed out due to recent storms, making it highly difficult for diving support vehicles (save 4x4s) to arrive near enough to the entry point for the M/T Hephaestus wreck for divers with heavy equipment (as is needed for such a dive). This has also reminded me about the previous correspondence exchanged which you can see below, where we had pointed out that no kitting up facilities were available in the area, such as benches or equipment setting up tables, as further to the west for the Three Wrecks entry point. Over a year later so far no improvement has been noted at this site. Your attention is kindly solicited to take the necessary action so that both the local residents, as well as the very much prized & sought quality tourists that the diving spots of Gozo attract, can have decent access to and at the very least, basic facilities rather than setting up highly sensitive equipment worth thousands of euros on a muddy shore. | 2024.02.25-Xatt-l-Ahmar-Washout.jpg | Partly resolved |
| 13/01/2024 | Cathedral Cavern, Reqqa Point, Anchor Reef, Billinghurst Cavern | We're informed that the following dive sites are currently inaccessible due to lack of ladders: -Cathedral Cave near Wied il-Ghasri -Reqqa Point (West of Xwejni) -Anchor Reef (mid-way between Reqqa and Xwejni) -Billinghurst Cave (just round the corner from Reqqa Point) Wied il-Mielah also has lost shore access a long time ago - which is both an issue for swimmers and divers at this iconic point which also draws lots of tourists since it is popular on social media and has taken over some attention which in the past was given to the Azure Window. May this access be restored and/or are there any related plans? Divers have also asked for an update on the Dwejra bathroom/shower facilities previously used by divers which have been closed for quite a while, understandably as well because of the unfortunate fatality which occurred during their maintenance a few years ago. Update on 16/05/2024: BIllinghurst ladder back in Update on 09/06/2024: Reqqa Point ladder and top rails in place. Update on 01/07/2024: Catherdral Cave ladder reported to be in place for the last two weeks. | Partly resolved | |
| 08/12/2023 | Xatt l-Ahmar, Billinghurst, Reqqa, Cathedral Cave | Even though it's winter and maybe for some people the water may be too cold, for visiting tourists & locals using the appropriate gear it's still dive season, especially when holidays are coming up and both tourists and local Maltese divers travel up for some final days off for the year. Some few reports that we got and saw with our own eyes or got reports about. Pictures may be supplied. Xatt l-Ahmar: One of the ladders has fallen, probably as it had no chains & bolts and the few cm of pipe in the rock being kept in with cement has given way. The ladder may be fished out easily just under its intended location. Since the NW wind is prevalent during winter, important that there is a backup (not just one ladder) at Xattl-Ahmar as it serves as a double deep dive option regularly for both Gozitan and Maltese Dive Centres Billinghurst cavern entry point at Xwejni (South west of Reqqa Point: Both ladder and top handrail are gone. This makes this site unusable even though it is an iconic cavern for Cave Diving training and on every guide book. Reqqa Point: One chain is broken from the ladder, so it's at risk of getting washed away by the first storm. Unless recently retrieved, a washed away ladder was also located below it at about 15m depth - with some long ropes that could be resurfaced & reused or kept as a reserve. Cathedral Cave: Chains have been broken up - so at the first decent storm, this will be washed away. Thank you in advance for pushing for immediate maintenance where possible. Update on 16/05/2024: BIllinghurst ladder back in Update on 09/06/2024: Reqqa Point ladder and railings in place. | Partly resolved | |
| 01/11/2023 | Xatt l-Aħmar and Reqqa Point - Gozo | As per attached picture and comments noted, the second ladder at Xatt l-Ahmar appears to have been washed away since it was not secured. We received no update on the Handrail at Reqqa Point. Update on 07/06/2024: Still no second ladder at Xatt l-Ahmar. Update on 09/06/2024: Reqqa Point ladder and top rails in place. | Partly resolved | |
| 16/10/2023 | Xatt l-Aħmar and Reqqa Point - Gozo | I'm informed that this morning workers have started works and secured one ladder. Hopefully later on in the day, or later in the coming days, the second ladder may be secured too. Like we referred to in previous emails, at Reqqa there is also a need for a simple handrail to be replaced which would be of a great aid to divers coming up the ladder. There used to be up to mid-summer, but one has been reported lost at least since the middle of August. This handrail (left hand side when coming up the ladder) is needed as otherwise a diver with easily 30kg on his back has to grab on a single arm to pull himself up the rocks from the last ladder step. For the taller diver it's not a big issue, but for mid-size and shorter divers this is a dangerous maneuver without this handrail. The picture below shows the location of the previous handrail's holes, and gives an idea of the height involved. Update 07/06/2024: Only 1 ladder in place at Xatt l-Ahmar. Reminder sent. Update 09/06/2024: Reqqa ladder and handrails in place. | image.png | Partly resolved |
| 15/10/2023 | Xatt l-Aħmar and Reqqa Point - Gozo | Your kind and urgent attention is being solicited to address the Xatt l-Aħmar divers' access ladders which we are informed that they are, as per attached pictures, in dire need of maintenance as they will soon fall off or injure someone. Since winter is coming, it is most important that these are fixed before being lost to the weather, as this site is also a safety valve for both local club members and the diving industry in strong NW winds. Please note that the diving season is nowadays a year-round season and the importance of this site for Gozo visitors cannot be underestimated. The Diving Industry Master Plan - 2022 lists this site as a key site and therefore also needs year-round, sturdy access. A kind reminder is also being made regarding Reqqa Point, where a handrail that was extremely helpful for divers is still missing, months after it was reported. There is also a ladder sitting down at the bottom which should be recovered as it's a waste of a good ladder. Should you have no available divers to help bring it up from the sea, let us know and we can seek volunteers to assist to pass a rope so it can be pulled up. Update 07/06/2024: Only 1 ladder in place at Xatt l-Ahmar. Reminder sent. Update 09/06/2024: Reqqa ladder and handrails in place. | 370232300_1542406049629112_2145517023175557540_n.jpg 393090340_836428334613669_6013507448070466017_n.jpg 387593647_150639798129483_8067006665999280481_n.jpg 387583356_1265765847440335_2556246306618249131_n.jpg | Partly resolved |
| 01/06/2023 | Xatt l-Ahmar | Diving Boat anchoring at the Xatt l-Ahmar Diving site. Boat owners and MTA/Eco-Gozo contacted to consider a permanent mooring on the reef for diving boats in windy weather rather than anchoring. | Open / Current Issue | |
| 28/05/2023 | MT Hephaestus and Cirkewwa | Illegal Fishing and transiting within diving zone at Xatt l-Ahmar Wrecks and Cirkewwa Marine Park - More information in private message During the dive we encountered a Fishing Pot right on the wreck, as per attached pictures. Through communication with other local diving instructors we have been informed that regular illegal transiting and fishing is being carried out in he wrecks area as follows: 'Small Luzzo every morning and eve 7-10am same one. Also a bigger one trawling via the wrecks and middle finger (Ras il-Hobz). 9-10am daily' Whilst we were on site with divers surfacing from this deep dive at least one pleasure boat also navigated throughout the restricted zone (inside of the Karwela buoy) without hearing heed from the divers & the diving boat boatman who advised the driver of the pleasure boat to keep out of the zone. Unfortunately we could not identify the boat registration number. Also, yesterday morning (Saturday), I personally witnessed multiple vessels transiting again very close, within a few feet from the Cirkewwa wreck marker buoys, one of which was inside of them and directly in the divers' transiting zone. I took photos with a long range 300mm lens which in some cases can clearly identify the vessels. I am attaching these photos to this email. The rental boat seen in the pictures taken did not just pass once, but did so at least four or five times! Freedivers frequent the Cirkewwa wrecks regularly as well, so they are even more in danger. AFM unfortunately knows too well what it means to lose a fellow member due to being hit by a boat and we'd appreciate efforts to prevent this, rather than seek for the culprit later. These pictures were taken only in the span of a few minutes before kitting up or de-kitting, hence the numbers presented in this email are just the top of the iceberg. | ResDSC_0025.jpg ResDSC_0024.jpg Res_5280057.jpg Res_5280055.jpg | Open / Current Issue |
| 07/05/2023 | Reqqa Point | We have noted posts on social media that Reqqa Point' s access ladder has fallen in the sea. The site is extremely difficult to access otherwise, and is however one of the best sites in Gozo for underwater landscape, caverns and marine life. Due to technical diving carried out, shore access is difficult and may lead to medical complications following a deep dive. | Resolved | |
| 10/04/2024 | Billinghurst, Xatt l-Ahmar and Reqqa Point | Billinghurst - no ladder but there were two on shore (maybe retrieved by divers or your workers) Xatt l-Ahmar - only 1 ladder which already has a broken chain Reqqa Point - railing on top sorely needed for divers using twinset or heavy rebreathers - they cannot simply climb on rocks. Update on 16/05/2024: BIllinghurst ladder back in Update on 09/06/2024 - Reqqa Point top rails seen in place. | Partly resolved | |
| 17/04/2023 | Ras il-Hobz | We have noted reports in the media that there has been a drainage overflow at Ras il-Hobz, as reported by Lovin Malta today. As reproduced on this site, https://www.divinginfo.mt/unbelievable-worst-timing-ever-drainage-spill-at-ras-il-hobz/ this is the worst timing ever to have such a spill at this site due to visiting Scuba Diving International Influencers visiting these shores for two international events happening over this same week! | Resolved | |
| 12/11/2022 | M/T Hephaestus / Xatt l-Ahmar | Recently our website www.divinginfo.mt has been contacted by tourist and local divers with a suggestion to pass on to authorities. The suggestion is to install a kitting up bench (or more) at Xatt l-Ahmar in a location which is now being more frequented for diving the new wreck scuttled this year, the M/T Hephaestus. Whilst similar benches are located further to the west, setting up a bench or more in a closer location will make it more comfortable for tourists and locals alike to dive the new wreck from this zone, which is preferred as the shorter swimming distance enables lesser decompression requirement (and reduces dangers) since it is much closer to wreck than the main kitting up area. I am attaching a screenshot from google maps highlighting the zone indicated. Can you kindly look into the suggestion and let us know if this may be considered? | Newbench-location.png Newbench-location-sideview.png xattl-ahmar-benches.png Xatt-l-Ahmar-New-benches.png | Open / Current Issue |
| 19/07/2022 | Anchor Bay / Popeye Village | The dive site at Popeye village needs to be taken care of! The sides leading to the broken quay could use some anti-rockfall netting like that installed at Ghar Lapsi and other places before someone is seriously injured! Attaching an image of the result of a rockfall - imagine if it was someone's head! | 20180805_124828.jpg | Open / Current Issue |
Reporting Form
Where possible, provide us with photos/videos if available.
Other related news items
Reports received include the following:
- Ladders back in in Gozo!
After a winter during which several sites suffered from ladder washouts, we’re glad to share the news (shared originally by our friends in Gozo) that several ladders have been re-installed over the last week by Eco-Gozo & Gozo Maintenance Department workers. We share below some of the pictures & posts. We thank all those who Read More - Updated:Protest against the Minister’s balancing act: Fishing in conservation areas vs Diver Safety vs livelihood of fishermen
As of Saturday 9 March 2024, 90 protest emails were sent – join them – read the below! Edit: a previous verison of this post had the Minister’s answer to the second question pasted incorrectly. Most divers were baffled with the unbelievable U-turn on fishing in conservation zones around wrecks which we reported on last Read More - — REVERSED — Halleluljah! – Navigation banned through Wreck Conservation Areas
Update 01/12/2023 — After only two weeks, the below decision was reversed by authorities – read here for more information Finally Transport Malta has updated the relative Notice to Mariners related to conservation areas around wrecks and now navigation by boats in these conservation zones is disallowed, except for anchoring for diving support vessels. This Read More - Updated dive site report: Handrail still missing at Reqqa Point – 3rd Reminder sent
A reader’s report was received on the 18/08/2023 about a missing handrail at Reqqa Point, Gozo Issue is being flagged to Eco-Gozo Directorate which is in charge of diving infrastructure in Gozo Update 25/08/2023 Comment or Message The second handrail at Reqqa Point is still missing. For some it can be difficult to exit especially Read More - Updated: Xatt l-Aħmar – New Diving Wrecks – The access ladders! — one of the ladders has since been secured —
Updated 18:00 on 1/10/2023 with pictures showing one ladder was secured — read below Readers have brought to our attention that Xatt L-Aħmar in Gozo, the site of the iconic wrecks Karwela, Cominoland, Xlendi and Hephaestus (scuttled last year) now has two new wrecks, the main access ladders! Falling into pieces, rickety, getting out of Read More - Updated – SOLVED – Slippery steps at Ċirkewwa Marine Park
Update at noon on 4 October 2023 – Issue has been resolved, with MTA staff having brushed away the algal growth. What divers had reported: Steps at the Ċirkewwa Marine Park (especially “Susie’s Pool” – the entry in the middle of the diving site down from he sloped pathway) have over the past months increasingly Read More - Ghost traps… with Ghost authorities?
Activist and long-time diver Raniero Borg shared this video below of several pots found during one dive off Qawra point, St. Paul’s Bay. These pots are commonly found around the coast by divers – many times lost after their lines become entangled in marine reefs and other debris, or they become lost due to boating Read More - X127 “Carolita” access under threat – representations needed!
For the attention of divers & especially diving schools – the development application for Manoel Island seems to preclude vehicle access to the X127 Wreck entry point. Representations are only open up till the 29 September 2023. This is what we sent to representations@pa.org.mt. We suggest that you join in fast (only 2 days left!) Read More - The divers are calling for attention
In Maltese we have a saying that in a rough translation equates to: “The baby that does not cry, does not eat”. Our baby is our diving environment and all that affects us. The below is a cry we sent a week ago to persons high up in the goverment circles… Over the last years, Read More - Pending: Parking Area at Ċirkewwa Marine Park – suggestion by local divers
In May 2023, local divers, communicated to the Malta Tourism Authority and Transport Malta regarding parking at the Ċirkewwa Marine Park. Communication is represented below. As of August 2023, this suggestion has not yet been taken up, even though we know several reminders have been sent. Rather, the problem increased due to enforcement action being Read More - Northern shore dives in Gozo – beware of nets
If you’re planning a shore dive on the North side of Gozo, visiting some of the most iconic dives there such as Reqqa Point, Double Arch, Cathedral Cavern and other in the area that can be reached from shore, beware of fishing nets. Reports have been seen from divers (local and foreign alike) that have Read More - Parking issues at Cirkewwa Marine Park
It’s a busy time at the Cirkewwa Marine Park. With tourism reaching its annual peak in these days, more local divers visiting and the space being what it is, divers are forced to find alternative ways to park on site. This normally results in the middle of the inner parking to be used as ad-hoc Read More - Pending: Sirens and Qawra Point diving sites
Updated 02/08/2023 The below is correspondence we sent to MTA and the St. Paul’s Bay Local Council regarding the Sirens and Qawra Point diving sites on the 18/07/2023 We received comments from diving instructors regarding the following diving sites which we would like to pass on and ask if you can do something about the Read More - Stolen: Cylinders and items stolen from Valletta (HMS Maori divesite)
On Tuesday 11 July 2023 four 12 litre cylinders (as per photo) were stolen off the back of a dive truck from near HMS Maori shore dive entry, along with cash from divers’ clothes. Should anyone have seen anything, or can identify any suspects, please call the police on anonymous tipping line 119. Cylinder serial Read More - Updated with photos: Cirkewwa Lantern – No go zone for mariners
Originally published on the 15/06/2023 – additional information on 05/07/2023 Transport Malta issued a Notice to Mariners (100/2023) indicated a safety area around the crumbling Cirkewwa Lantern. We are informed that Transport Malta and Infrastructure Malta are looking into this overdue issue, as the lantern has been out of commission for ages and swift action Read More - New ladders & railing at St. Elmo Point
The below photo has been shared on the Diving Instructors social media group showing a new type of ladder (similar to that under the lantern at Ċirkewwa Marine Park), and new railings replacing the ones which were previously installed at St. Elmo Point, Marsamxett. Thanks to PDSA (with the assistance of the MTA), who commissioned Read More - Żibel Shares Ghost Net Removal From Xatt l-Aħmar On World Ocean Day
NGO Żibel Shared information about a Ghost Net Removal From Xatt l-Aħmar On World Ocean Day. They also recently announced removing another net from the wreck of the SS Margit, in Kalkara Creek. On a regular basis, the NGO has also cleared off underwater sites at various locations and it’s surely a case of, hand Read More - Railing back at Zonqor Point (Marsaskala Wrecks)
Inwadar national nature and history park has announced in a post on Facebook that the railing for divers at the entry point for Tug 10, St. Michael Tug boat and what remains of the ill-fated P33 wreck has been re-installed. Thanks to the park management for the re-installation and we hope this is retained over Read More - Update: Dangerous navigation – Xatt l-Ahmar
Updated with apology by boat owner It’s the beginning of summer, and as seen in past years, it’s still not clear whether mariners are aware of why there are yellow buoys in various spots around the coast. Many of these indicate a wreck (the yellow buoys with an “X” on top), and as per Notice Read More - Updated: Net on SS Margit wreck (Kalkara Creek)
Irrespective of laws stating that fishing nets are not to be used within the Grand Harbour… some “enterprising individual” placed a net on the SS Margit in Kalkara Creek which got very tangled. This historical wreck from WW2 is known for bad visibility but very nice fish life. Żibel should be tackling it in the Read More - Please note: Diving season is on! (well, does it ever stop?)
Finally a weekend with some decent weather! A sigh of relief from divers who may have had felt the weekends to be long and boring if out of the water. This weekend’s glorious weather has seen some divers who don’t dive year round (they miss a lot – trust us!), also are getting back in Read More - St. Elmo Reef / Maori East entry point
On September 11, 2022, divinginfo.mt reported to relevant authorities that: 1. The No Parking except for divers sign at the tip of St. Elmo divesite has been broken in half and needs replacing. 2. The dive site sign near the entrance to the pool, which showed the map of the divesite is missing, with the Read More - Xatt l- Ahmar – Kitting up benches for M/T Haephastus dive entry
On November 12, 2022, after a suggestion by a reader, communication was sent to relevant authorities to encourage the installation of kitting up benches near the entry close to M/T Haephastus at Xatt l-Ahmar., similar to those installed further west for the three wrecks. We will keep an eye on progress, but let us know Read More - Tug Boat Rozi marker buoy chain hitting the reef
We have been reliably informed that the above issue has been reported to the Cirkewwa Marine Park management today. We know this is not exactly their responsibility but we hope they can put the necessary pressure on the organisation concerned to tackle the issue. Let us know if the issue has been fixed. - RESOLVED – Zonqor Point – Kitting up benches
UPDATE October 2022: We have been informed that benches were installed, replacing the old rusty ones. Following a report by an individual submitted through our page on the 02/08/2022, we have forwarded to the MTA a communication highlighting the need to add kitting up benches at Zonqor Point. Below is the report we received and Read More - PARTIALLY RESOLVED: Anchor Bay – Lack of ladder, danger from falling rocks
The MTA were reminded about the lack of ladders at Anchor Bay in early July 2022, and the danger from falling rocks for which a net like at Ghar Lapsi would control. Whilst the MTA remarked that the main issue here was that the part of the quay used to attach the ladder has fallen Read More
