Photos

The Maltese Islands are situated in the centre of the Mediterranean - 93 km south of Italy and 290 km north of North Africa. Gozo lies about 5 km to the North West of Malta; the journey between Ċirkewwa in Malta and Mgarr Harbour in Gozo, involves a 25 minute ferry crossing.

Gozo enjoys warm summers and mild winters which make it an ideal destination for SCUBA divers at any time of the year.

In comparison with the mainland of Malta, one finds in Gozo a more varied geology and larger contrasts, with typical flat-topped hills and shallow valleys. When compared to the overall area of the Maltese Islands, Gozo enjoys a relative sparse population. This means that the island of Gozo is not overcrowded, and therefore greener, quieter and more peaceful.

5 fellow divers and I (Mike, little Jason, big Jason, little Craig and big Craig) decided to dive Gozo during the spring of 2001. On this particular day the weather became a little rough. 3 of the party were novice divers so we left them behind before the rest of us (me, Mike and little Jason) braved the elements and plunged into the clear blue waters. Once we submerged the water became calm; but on the surface it was like swimming in a washing machine.

Climbing the rocks to exit the water after the dive saw us battered by the waves and surge resulting in our gloves and knee pads being torn to shreds on the weather beaten, razor sharp rocks - but the experience was worth it.

This picture is of the Azure window (the rock archway) and the 20 meter deep Blue Hole (the circular area of water surrounded by rock in the foreground). It was taken just a few meters from the entry and exit point of our dive.