Coral Cave

Coral Cave is an advanced dive site on Gozo's west coast near the Blue Hole in Malta, where a cave system decorated with Mediterranean false coral creates one of the most colourful overhead environments in the Maltese archipelago. The site's name refers to the orange-red Astroides calycularis colonies that encrust the cave walls. The cave entrance is located along the dramatic limestone cliffs near Dwejra, with access through an underwater opening that leads into a series of chambers. The cave extends deep into the rock, with the main passage large enough for comfortable exploration while secondary branches offer more challenging routes for experienced overhead environment divers. The false coral colonies that give the cave its name cover the walls and ceiling in brilliant orange-red, creating a vivid display that contrasts with the blue ambient light filtering from the entrance. These colonial corals thrive in the low-light, current-swept conditions within the cave, and the concentration at this site is remarkable. Under dive light illumination, the cave walls come alive with colour. Beyond the signature coral colonies, the cave supports other organisms adapted to overhead environments. Sponges in yellows and purples encrust the walls alongside the corals, while shrimps and small crustaceans inhabit the darker recesses. The cave entrance zones attract groupers and occasionally nurse hounds, a species of shark that shelters in Gozo's cave systems. The advanced rating reflects the overhead environment, significant depth in the deeper sections, and the navigational complexity of the cave system. Divers should carry at least two dive lights and have experience with overhead environment diving. Malta's visibility typically exceeds 30 metres outside the caves, with the cave interior maintaining excellent clarity when divers manage their movement carefully. Coral Cave is a highlight of Gozo's world-class cave diving.