REQQA POINT
On the north coast of the island you will find Reqqa Point. In a strong swell the entrance/exit can be ‘interesting’ (for that ready, challenging), during the summer months there is usually a ladder, however this sometimes gets broken off during more severe winter weather conditions, and rope is needed. Don’t be put off though, this is a fantastic dive when the conditions are good. You can easily reach 60 metres here, but 15 to 20 metres gives you a good average depth to catch the action. Look out for the shoaling sardines, dentex and amberjack, and of course the obligatory grouper.
DOUBLE ARCH
Just a short hop away from Xwieni Bay on the north coast, Double Arch is probably best done as a boat dive, however it is easily done from the shore as long as the conditions permit. Access and exit is usually from the Washing Machine (although you can start and finish the dive from Xwieni Bay). To get to the Double Arch takes a bit of a surface swim (about 200metres out and 38 metres to the bottom), however if the conditions are good, you can take your time to get there. The Double Arch isn’t reminiscent of a certain burger bar food chain logo, but one smaller arch on top of another, which when you approach it is quite spectacular. The soft corals that adorn it are wonderful hues of colours, and if you are lucky, on the plateau (at about 16 metres) to the side you might be lucky enough to see shoaling barracuda.
CATHEDRAL CAVE
Cathedral Cave and the Ghasri Valley. Heading out of Marsalforn and beyond Reqqa brings you to the Ghasri Valley, which is a spectacular part of the landscape in itself. The dive site is accessed by steps somewhere in the region of 70 and 100 depending on who you speak to, and how many times you count them, you never get the same number twice. Once down the steps you will get to the shingle beach and very shallow entry point. The dive is quite straightforward, head of out the bay until you reach the end of the valley (about 20 metres depth), take a turn to the right and follow the wall round till you reach the Cave (with a massive entrance)at about 5 metres below the waterline. It’s possible to surface in the Cave as there is a crack in the roof that allows for fresh air to circulate readily, and savour the incredible iridescent blue caused by the light effect in the water. There’s loads of life to be found, from the usual suspects to cuttlefish, octopus and juvenile grouper.
XWEINI BAY
Xweini Bay is one of the pleasant shallow dive sites on the north coast, often used for diver training. Don’t underestimate it though. Around the reef to the left hand side you will get to the Washing Machine where the water has crated interesting erosion in the stone, and a bit further on from there you could get to Anchor Reef and the maze of small pinnacles that make great fun swimthroughs. Around the rocks and boulders and over the sandy patches you can often find moray, octopus and cuttlefish, along with the abundant cardinal fish, damsels and wrasse etc, brilliant for bumbling around especially if you have a camera – and the entrance/exit is a slipway with handrail.