Gozo Blue Hole: How to Visit Malta's Famous Natural Pool

The short answer: is the Gozo Blue Hole worth visiting?

Yes, though what you get from it depends on what you’re expecting.

If you’re a diver:

Absolutely.

The Blue Hole is routinely promoted as one of Gozo’s standout dive sites. Visit Gozo describes it as an internationally acclaimed site, and Malta’s official tourism site highlights Gozo as one of the country’s major diving destinations.

If you’re not diving:

Still yes, provided you treat it as part of Dwejra and don’t cross Gozo purely for one circular pool.

The Blue Hole itself is visually striking, but the visit is much better when combined with:

• the Inland Sea
• the cliffs of Dwejra
• Fungus Rock
• coastal walks
• short boat trips through the Inland Sea tunnel when conditions allow
• the site of the former Azure Window

Dwejra’s wider geology is so unusual that Malta has placed Qawra/Dwejra on UNESCO’s World Heritage Tentative List. The UNESCO entry describes an exceptional concentration of caves, tunnels, arches, stacks, reefs, sink structures and marine habitats in this small area of western Gozo.

What exactly is the Blue Hole?

The Blue Hole is a natural rock pool in the limestone shoreline at Dwejra.

It isn’t a closed sinkhole filled with rainwater.

It is directly connected to the Mediterranean.

Visit Gozo puts it at approximately 25 metres deep, with an underwater arch about eight metres below the surface connecting it to the open sea. Some dive guides quote shallower figures, so treat the number as approximate.

That explains the strange colour gradient you see from above.

Around the sides, shallow submerged rock appears turquoise and green.

Towards the centre, the water suddenly turns an intense dark blue because of the depth below.

For snorkellers, that transition is fascinating.

For divers, it is the start of an underwater landscape, not the destination itself.

Why is the Blue Hole famous?

There are two answers.

Above water

It is an exceptionally photogenic natural pool.

Seen from the surrounding limestone, it has the classic composition that makes it instantly recognisable:

turquoise rim → deep navy centre → open Mediterranean beyond

Underwater

This is where the site becomes much more important.

Divers descend inside the pool, pass through a natural underwater opening and emerge into the open sea beside Dwejra’s submerged cliffs and reefs.

Visit Gozo’s guide to the top diving sites describes the site as an upright tube or funnel, with a large cave at the bottom and a “chimney” rich in marine life.

So the Blue Hole is more than a deep pool.

It is effectively an entrance into one of Gozo’s most dramatic underwater landscapes.

Where is the Gozo Blue Hole?

The Blue Hole is at Dwejra on Gozo’s western coast, near the village of San Lawrenz.

It sits beside the open sea, a short walk from the Inland Sea and the main visitor area.

The approximate coordinates listed by PADI are:

36.05278, 14.18855

For ordinary visitors, search for or navigate to:

Dwejra Bay / Inland Sea, San Lawrenz, Gozo

There is no dedicated Blue Hole visitor centre.

Can you swim in the Blue Hole?

Yes, when sea conditions are suitable.

Visit Gozo lists swimming around the Blue Hole as one of the things to do at Dwejra.

There is a catch.

The Blue Hole is not a sheltered municipal swimming spot.

There are:

• uneven limestone surfaces
• potentially slippery entry points
• deep water
• open-sea influence
• waves and surge when conditions deteriorate

Visit Gozo warns against approaching exposed shoreline edges at Dwejra in rough weather, and its water-sports guidance stresses checking wind direction and sea conditions before entering the water.

Our rule

If the sea looks rough, do not go in just because other people are in the water.

Conditions can change rapidly around exposed Mediterranean rock platforms.

Is the Blue Hole good for casual swimming?

It can be excellent on a calm day.

But if your main objective is simply:

“I want somewhere pleasant and easy to swim while visiting Dwejra”

we would usually choose the Inland Sea instead.

The Inland Sea has a small sheltered lagoon with a pebbly shoreline and behaves much more like a conventional swimming spot.

Visit Gozo distinguishes between swimming in the calmer shallows of the Inland Sea and the more exposed Blue Hole area.

Choose the Blue Hole if:

• you’re a confident swimmer
• the sea is calm
• you’re comfortable crossing uneven rock
• you want snorkelling, not beach lounging
• you enjoy deep-water swimming

Choose the Inland Sea if:

• you’re travelling with young children
• you want easier water access
• you’re less confident in deep water
• you mainly want a quick swim
• conditions on the open coast look unsettled

Can you snorkel at the Blue Hole?

Yes, and it can be superb.

Visit Gozo includes the Blue Hole among its recommended snorkelling sites and highlights its depth and underwater connection to the sea.

There is little coral-reef colour here, but there is:

• unusually clear water
• rock formations
• sudden changes in depth
• underwater ledges
• fish around the rocky walls
• watching divers below

On a calm, clear day, looking down into the dark central section can be spectacular.

However, snorkellers should stay well within their abilities.

The pool becomes deep very quickly.

How deep is the Gozo Blue Hole?

Visit Gozo lists the Blue Hole itself at about 25 metres deep.

You’ll sometimes find much greater depths quoted online.

That’s because dive routes starting at the Blue Hole continue into the open-sea reef system, where much deeper profiles are possible.

PADI’s dive-site listing, for example, gives a maximum depth of up to 50 metres for the wider Blue Hole dive site.

So the two figures describe different things:

Blue Hole pool: roughly 25 m, by Visit Gozo’s figure

Wider dive site: considerably deeper, according to PADI

For an ordinary visitor, the first figure is the useful one.

Diving the Blue Hole

For certified divers, this is what makes Dwejra special.

The Blue Hole is a shore dive, which means divers enter from land and do not need a boat.

After descending into the pool, divers can swim through the underwater opening towards the open sea.

Visit Gozo highlights:

• the vertical Blue Hole itself
• the cave beneath it
• the underwater chimney
• reef scenery
• nearby Dwejra sites such as the Inland Sea and Fungus Rock

A typical dive may combine the Blue Hole with sections of reef and underwater terrain beyond it, depending on:

• certification
• conditions
• air consumption
• route
• operator
• experience level

If you are already certified, the two-dive Gozo morning for certified divers on Viator (5.0/5 from 77 reviews, from about $171 with equipment) is run by a local dive centre that picks the sites on the day, so ask in advance whether the Blue Hole is on the plan and accept that the sea may decide otherwise.

Do beginners dive the Blue Hole?

Possibly, but this is not a site to turn up at and improvise.

PADI lists Advanced Open Water Diver as useful training for the site.

More importantly, Maltese rules govern independent diving.

Visit Gozo’s diving safety page states that divers may dive independently only if they hold a certification that allows them to dive to 30 metres; otherwise they must be accompanied by a licensed instructor. Commercial scuba training and recreational diving services must be run by licensed operators.

If you’re visiting Gozo specifically to dive:

book through a licensed local dive centre and let them assess the conditions and your qualification level.

Dwejra will still be there tomorrow.

Is the Blue Hole a cave dive?

Not automatically.

The standard route includes an underwater arch and can involve cave-like terrain, but different dive profiles use different features.

The Blue Hole also has an underwater cave, and the wider Dwejra area contains numerous caves, tunnels and dramatic submerged formations.

Divers should never enter an overhead environment beyond their training.

If you’re booking a dive, tell the dive centre your exact certification and experience instead of choosing a route from photographs.

What marine life can you see?

The main draw at Dwejra is the geology and underwater visibility; large animals are never guaranteed.

Divers and snorkellers may see Mediterranean species such as:

• bream
• parrotfish
• moray eels
• octopus
• scorpionfish
• small reef fish
• nudibranchs

Visit Gozo notes that much of Gozo’s underwater appeal comes from searching cliff faces, ledges and crevices for smaller species, including octopus and nudibranchs.

Don’t choose the Blue Hole expecting a tropical reef.

Choose it for the underwater architecture.

How difficult is the walk to the Blue Hole?

This is the part many Instagram posts leave out.

You do not simply step from a sandy beach into the water.

The approach crosses rough, naturally eroded limestone.

For ordinary sightseeing, it isn’t a major expedition.

But the terrain matters if you’re:

• carrying scuba equipment
• wearing unsuitable footwear
• travelling with someone with limited mobility
• visiting after rain
• dealing with strong wind

Wear proper shoes

For sightseeing, we’d choose:

trainers, walking sandals with grip or walking shoes

and leave the flip-flops behind.

For swimmers, water shoes help on sharp, uneven limestone.

Is the Blue Hole accessible for people with limited mobility?

The Blue Hole itself is not one of Gozo’s easier natural attractions because the final approach crosses rugged shoreline.

You can still enjoy much of Dwejra without reaching the Blue Hole waterline.

The main Inland Sea area is the practical visitor hub, and the coastal views around Dwejra are still rewarding even if you skip the rocky approach.

For travellers with significant mobility limitations, we’d treat the Blue Hole as a viewing stop, not a swimming stop.

Does the Blue Hole have a beach?

No.

There is no sandy beach at the Blue Hole.

The water is surrounded by exposed limestone.

This is one of the biggest differences between the Blue Hole and Ramla Bay.

If you want sunbathing, sand and swimming, choose Ramla.

If you want geology, snorkelling, diving and wild coastal scenery, choose Dwejra.

What happened to the Azure Window?

For decades, the Blue Hole sat beside one of Malta’s most famous natural landmarks:

the Azure Window.

The limestone arch appeared in countless photographs, films and tourism campaigns.

It collapsed during a storm on 8 March 2017.

Today, the arch is gone above water.

But parts of its collapsed limestone have become an underwater attraction for divers.

Visit Gozo notes that the former Azure Window area now forms part of Dwejra’s diving landscape.

If you see the Blue Hole beside a giant rock arch, that photograph predates March 2017.

Is the Blue Hole the same as the Blue Lagoon?

No.

This is probably the most important naming confusion to clear up.

Blue Hole

Where: Dwejra, Gozo

What: Natural deep-water rock pool

Best for: Diving, snorkelling, geology

Access: By land on Gozo

Blue Lagoon

Where: Comino

What: Shallow turquoise lagoon between the islands

Best for: Swimming, boat trips, classic turquoise-water scenery

Access: By boat

They are completely different places.

Since 1 May 2025, anyone stepping ashore at the Blue Lagoon on Comino needs a free pre-booked pass for one of three daily time slots, booked at blcomino.com, to limit numbers in the lagoon area.

There is no equivalent reservation system for visiting the Blue Hole at Dwejra.

Blue Hole vs Blue Lagoon: which is better?

They suit different visitors.

If you have only one day available, you will probably have to choose between the two. Our Gozo and Comino day trip comparison shows what each cruise gives you on each island.

Inland Sea: don’t skip it

Many visitors arrive looking for the Blue Hole and end up preferring the Inland Sea.

The Inland Sea is a small lagoon of salt water enclosed by steep limestone and connected to the open Mediterranean through a natural tunnel.

UNESCO describes Dwejra’s landscape as containing extensive examples of sink structures, caves, arches, tunnels, sea stacks and reefs.

The Inland Sea is one of the easiest places to see that geology at work.

It is also:

• easier for casual swimming
• the starting point for local boat trips
• closer to food and drink
• one of Dwejra’s best photo spots

Take the Inland Sea boat trip if it is running

On calm days, local fishermen take visitors by small boat from the Inland Sea through its natural tunnel and out into the Mediterranean. The trip costs around €6, paid on the day; you cannot book it online.

Visit Gozo’s Dwejra walking guide gives the passage as roughly 80 metres long and notes that the boats run only when the weather permits.

This is one of Dwejra’s best low-effort experiences.

You pass from:

a quiet enclosed lagoon

through:

a dark limestone tunnel

into:

the open Mediterranean beneath huge cliffs.

It shows you the cliffs from below.

If the boats aren’t running, don’t assume you’ve arrived too late.

They may have stopped because of sea conditions.

Fungus Rock

Across Dwejra Bay you’ll see a dramatic isolated block of limestone called Fungus Rock.

Despite the name, the famous organism associated with it isn’t technically a fungus.

The plant Cynomorium coccineum was prized by the Knights of St John for its supposed medicinal properties.

UNESCO notes that Fungus Rock is a nature reserve and an important habitat for endemic species.

The Knights valued the plant so highly that access to the rock was controlled.

Today, you see Fungus Rock best from:

• the Dwejra coastline
• the viewpoints above the bay
• a boat

Why Dwejra is geologically unusual

The whole Dwejra area is essentially an outdoor geology lesson.

UNESCO’s tentative-list description identifies:

• large collapse structures
• caves
• tunnels
• arches
• sea stacks
• reefs
• fossil beds
• vertical cliffs
• underwater caves
• submerged structures

The Blue Hole is one expression of this landscape, not an isolated accident.

That’s why Dwejra feels so different from a normal rocky coastline.

Almost everywhere you look, water has dissolved, collapsed, undercut, fractured or eroded the limestone.

Is Dwejra a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

Not currently.

This is an easy mistake to make.

Qawra/Dwejra is on Malta’s UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List, submitted in 1998.

That means Malta has identified it as a possible future candidate for World Heritage inscription.

It is not an inscribed UNESCO World Heritage Site, although many travel pages blur the distinction.

How much does it cost to visit the Blue Hole?

Nothing.

The Blue Hole and the wider Dwejra landscape are natural attractions.

There is no entrance ticket to walk to the coast or look at the Blue Hole.

You may pay separately for:

• transport
• parking where applicable
• diving
• equipment rental
• guided tours
• boat trips through the Inland Sea

That makes Dwejra one of the best-value major sights on Gozo.

How long do you need at the Blue Hole and Dwejra?

For most first-time visitors:

Allow 1–2 hours.

That gives you time for:

• the Blue Hole viewpoint
• the Inland Sea
• a short walk around Dwejra
• views of Fungus Rock
• photographs
• possibly a short boat ride

If swimming

Allow around 2–3 hours.

If diving

Treat it as at least a half-day activity once you include equipment preparation, the briefing, travel, the entry and the dive itself.

If you love photography or geology

Half a day at Dwejra is perfectly reasonable.

Best time of day to visit

For sightseeing, we’d go in the morning or late afternoon.

Midday gives strong water colour but harsh light and more summer heat.

Late afternoon can be particularly beautiful because Dwejra faces broadly west.

That also makes the area one of Gozo’s best sunset spots.

However:

do not put the sunset ahead of safety.

Rock edges are far less forgiving once the light drops.

Best season to visit the Blue Hole

April–May

Excellent for sightseeing.

Gozo tends to be greener, temperatures are comfortable and Dwejra is pleasant for walking.

Many swimmers find the water still cool.

June

One of the best all-round months.

Warm weather, good swimming and usually less intense heat than in July and August.

July–August

The warmest water for swimming, but also:

• hotter
• busier
• more exposed under the midday sun

Bring much more water than you think you’ll need.

September–October

Possibly the sweet spot for swimmers.

The sea keeps its summer warmth while temperatures on land start to ease.

November–March

Excellent for scenery and photography.

But swimming and diving depend much more on the day’s sea conditions.

Stormy weather can make Dwejra spectacular to look at and completely unsuitable for approaching exposed shoreline.

What weather matters most?

For Dwejra, don’t look only at the temperature.

Look at the wind, the swell and the sea conditions.

Visit Gozo’s summer water-sports guide stresses that activities depend on the day’s weather, particularly wind force and direction.

A sunny day can still bring unpleasant or dangerous conditions on an exposed coast.

If you’re diving, let the dive centre make the call.

If you’re swimming independently, take local warnings and the visible sea state seriously.

How to get to the Blue Hole from Victoria

Dwejra lies west of Victoria.

By road, you can reach it easily by:

• rental car
• taxi
• Bolt, eCabs or a similar ride app when available
• public bus
• an organised Gozo tour

For a day-tripper with limited time, a taxi or organised transport is much faster than waiting for bus connections.

Dwejra is a standard stop on many Gozo island tours because it combines several major sights in one place. The $25 hop-on hop-off bus (4.2/5 from more than 1,300 reviews) stops at Dwejra on its western loop, and because you choose which bus to catch onwards, it is one of the few ways to get a long swim there without a car.

How to visit from Malta

A typical independent route is:

Malta → Gozo ferry → Mġarr → Victoria → Dwejra

or:

Malta → Gozo ferry → taxi directly to Dwejra

The Malta to Gozo ferry guide has the crossings and fares.

If you’re building a one-day Gozo itinerary, don’t necessarily start with Dwejra.

It lies on the opposite side of the island from the ferry harbour.

A more efficient sequence often combines it with:

• Victoria
• Ta’ Pinu
• the nearby western-Gozo countryside

Then you work back towards Mġarr later.

Can you see the Blue Hole on a Gozo tour?

Often yes.

But check the itinerary carefully.

Tour descriptions may say:

• Dwejra
• Dwejra Bay
• Inland Sea
• Azure Window site

without giving you enough time to walk down to the Blue Hole.

If the Blue Hole matters to you, look for wording that names it.

This matters even more if you’re taking a:

• jeep tour, such as the Gozo jeep tour with lunch and transfers (4.6/5 from more than 1,200 reviews), which stops at Dwejra and the Inland Sea
• quad tour, such as the Gozo sunset quad bike tour (4.2/5 from 32 reviews, a small sample)
• tuk-tuk tour, such as the sunset tuk-tuk tour of Gozo and Comino (4.5/5 from 46 reviews, also a small sample)
• large coach tour, such as the full-day Gozo coach tour with Ġgantija and lunch (4.3/5 from more than 2,900 reviews)

Some itineraries are designed around quick scenic stops, with no time for a swim. Our guide to which Gozo day trip is right for you compares how long each one spends at each stop.

Dwejra on a one-day Gozo itinerary

For a first visit, one efficient route is:

Morning

Ferry → Ġgantija or Ramla Bay

Late morning

Victoria and the Citadel

Afternoon

Ta’ Pinu → Dwejra

At Dwejra

Inland Sea → Blue Hole → Fungus Rock views

Evening

Return towards the Mġarr ferry terminal

That gives you prehistory, a city, a church and coastal geology without spending the whole day inside a vehicle. For the full day with ferry times, see our one-day Gozo itinerary or the first-time guide to Gozo.

Can you combine Dwejra and Xlendi?

Yes.

This makes particular sense if you’re exploring Gozo’s western and southern sides.

A possible half-day route is:

Victoria → Dwejra → Xlendi

Xlendi gives you:

• restaurants
• easier waterfront access
• swimming
• a sheltered bay
• sunset dining

Dwejra gives you:

• wild geology
• the Blue Hole
• diving
• cliffs
• the Inland Sea

The two complement each other. Our Xlendi Bay guide covers the swimming, the cliff walk and the buses from Victoria.

Blue Hole vs Xlendi for swimming

Choose the Blue Hole for:

• snorkelling
• drama
• deep water
• unusual geology

Choose Xlendi for:

• easier swimming
• restaurants
• families
• several relaxed hours by the water

If you’re on a fast-paced one-day tour, Dwejra is the better sightseeing stop.

If you have a whole lazy afternoon, Xlendi can be more comfortable.

Blue Hole vs Ramla Bay

This comparison is even easier.

Blue Hole

• rocky
• deep
• wild
• excellent snorkelling
• world-class diving

Ramla Bay

• sandy
• an easy beach day
• better for children
• better for lying in the sun
• distinctive orange-red sand

They meet completely different needs.

For a first Gozo day trip, we’d ideally include both Dwejra and Ramla, provided the itinerary isn’t getting rushed.

Is the Blue Hole safe for children?

The wider Dwejra area can be fascinating for families.

But we would not treat the Blue Hole as a children’s beach.

For younger children, the better choices nearby are:

• looking at the Blue Hole from safe ground
• exploring the Inland Sea area
• taking the short boat trip if it is running
• swimming in calmer, accessible water under close supervision

Dwejra has cliffs, rough rock and deep water.

Children need active supervision here.

Can you jump into the Blue Hole?

We would not recommend cliff jumping or entering from unverified high points.

Deep water alone does not make a jump safe.

Hazards can include:

• submerged rock shelves
• changing water levels
• surge
• other swimmers or divers
• difficult exits
• underwater obstacles you cannot see

Use the established access routes and local advice instead.

What shoes should you wear?

For a normal sightseeing visit:

trainers or secure walking sandals.

For getting into the water:

water shoes.

Avoid relying on:

smooth flip-flops on uneven limestone.

It sounds like a trivial detail until you’re carrying a towel, camera and water bottle across sharp coastal rock.

What should you bring?

For a summer visit:

• water
• a hat
• sunscreen
• swimwear
• a towel
• a snorkel and mask if you have your own
• water shoes
• secure footwear for walking
• a waterproof phone pouch if swimming

There is very little natural shade once you’re moving around the exposed coastal landscape.

Can you visit when it rains?

Light rain does not automatically ruin Dwejra.

But wet limestone becomes slippery.

More importantly, rain may arrive with:

• wind
• swell
• poor sea conditions

In bad weather, we’d still consider Dwejra for the dramatic scenery from safer areas, but skip the water and stay well away from exposed edges.

Visit Gozo explicitly cautions visitors against approaching the shoreline edge during rough weather.

Blue Hole photography tips

The classic photograph is taken from above.

The strongest results usually come from high sun and calm, clear water, because sunlight reveals the turquoise shallow shelf around the darker central hole.

Best shots

Try:

• the full circular pool from above
• swimmers or divers for scale
• turquoise shallows against navy-blue depth
• wide compositions including the open sea
• underwater shots through the arch if you’re qualified and properly equipped

Don’t do this for the photo

Don’t sit casually on an exposed cliff edge.

Some of the most-shared Blue Hole photographs make the surrounding drops look far less serious than they are.

Use a safe viewpoint.

Don’t confuse the Blue Hole with Dwejra Bay

Dwejra contains several separate bodies of water and geological features.

That makes search results confusing.

Blue Hole

A small natural rock pool beside the open sea.

Inland Sea

An enclosed lagoon connected to the Mediterranean by a tunnel.

Dwejra Bay

A larger bay on the other side of the area, overlooked by cliffs and Fungus Rock.

Azure Window site

The stretch of coast where the natural arch stood until 2017.

They’re close together.

They are not the same thing.

What else should you see at Dwejra?

If you’re already there, we’d prioritise:

1. Inland Sea

The easiest add-on and impossible to justify skipping.

2. Blue Hole

The reason many divers come.

3. Fungus Rock

One of Gozo’s best-known coastal landmarks.

4. Former Azure Window site

Interesting even without the arch, particularly once you understand how dramatically the coast keeps changing.

5. Dwejra Tower

Adds a layer of human history to what can otherwise feel like a purely natural landscape.

6. Inland Sea boat trip

Do it if conditions permit.

It is one of the simplest ways to see Dwejra from sea level.

Common mistakes when visiting the Gozo Blue Hole

Mistake 1: expecting a beach

There is no sand.

This is a rugged limestone swimming and diving spot.

Mistake 2: confusing it with Comino’s Blue Lagoon

They are entirely different places.

Mistake 3: driving across Gozo, taking one photo and leaving

The whole Dwejra area is the attraction.

Give it at least an hour.

Mistake 4: wearing flip-flops

The rocky approach is easier and safer in proper footwear.

Mistake 5: going in regardless of conditions

A famous swimming spot is not automatically safe every day.

Mistake 6: ignoring the Inland Sea

For many non-divers, it ends up being their favourite part of Dwejra.

Mistake 7: following an old Azure Window photograph

The arch collapsed in 2017.

If your guidebook still shows it standing, the guidebook is out of date.

Frequently asked questions about the Gozo Blue Hole

Where is the Blue Hole in Malta?

The famous Blue Hole is at Dwejra on the western coast of Gozo, close to San Lawrenz.

Is the Blue Hole in Malta or Gozo?

Gozo is part of Malta, but the Blue Hole is specifically on the island of Gozo.

Can you swim in the Blue Hole Gozo?

Yes, when conditions are suitable. However, access is over rocky limestone and the water is deep.

Is the Blue Hole free?

Yes. There is no entrance fee to visit the natural attraction.

How deep is the Blue Hole?

Visit Gozo puts the pool at roughly 25 metres, while wider dive routes around Dwejra can go considerably deeper.

Can beginners dive the Blue Hole?

It depends on certification, experience and conditions. PADI lists Advanced Open Water as useful training, and Maltese rules allow independent diving only with a certification to 30 metres; everyone else dives with a licensed instructor.

Is the Blue Hole good for snorkelling?

Yes. Visit Gozo lists it among the island’s recommended snorkelling spots.

Is the Blue Hole dangerous?

It is a natural open-sea environment, not a controlled swimming pool. Rough seas, slippery rock, depth and difficult access can all create hazards. Stay out of the water in unsuitable conditions.

Is there a beach?

No. The Blue Hole is surrounded by limestone.

Can children swim there?

Confident older children may swim in suitable conditions under close supervision, but it is not a child-friendly beach. The Inland Sea is usually easier.

How long should I spend at Dwejra?

Around 1–2 hours for sightseeing, longer if you swim, take a boat ride or dive.

Is the Azure Window still there?

No. It collapsed during a storm on 8 March 2017.

Can you still visit where the Azure Window was?

Yes. The Dwejra coast is still open to visitors, and the collapsed arch is now part of the underwater landscape.

Is Blue Hole the same as Blue Lagoon?

No. The Blue Hole is at Dwejra on Gozo. The Blue Lagoon is on Comino.

Is Dwejra UNESCO-listed?

It is on Malta’s UNESCO Tentative List, but it is not an inscribed World Heritage Site.

Our verdict

The Blue Hole is one of those places where the photograph undersells the geography.

From above, you see a striking dark-blue pool.

Once you’re there, you realise it is only one piece of a much larger landscape of collapsed limestone, underwater arches, caves, cliffs, sink structures and open Mediterranean.

For divers, it’s an obvious highlight.

For swimmers and snorkellers, it can be memorable on a calm day.

For everyone else, Dwejra is still one of the places we’d put near the top of a first Gozo itinerary.

Don’t cross Gozo simply to tick off a “Blue Hole.”

Go because Dwejra as a whole is extraordinary.

Spend time at the Inland Sea.

Walk the coast safely.

Look across to Fungus Rock.

Take the little boat through the tunnel if conditions permit.

Then look down into the Blue Hole and imagine the landscape another 20 metres beneath your feet.

That’s when the place makes sense.

Best way to fit the Blue Hole into a Gozo day trip

For first-time visitors, we’d use one of these:

Classic Gozo day

Ġgantija → Victoria Citadel → Ta’ Pinu → Dwejra/Blue Hole

This gives you archaeology, history, architecture and the island’s finest coastal scenery.

Scenic western-Gozo route

Victoria → Ta’ Pinu → Dwejra → Xlendi

Best if you want dinner or the sunset beside the water afterwards.

Summer swimming day

Ramla Bay → Victoria → Dwejra → Inland Sea/Blue Hole

A good contrast between Gozo’s sandy east and rugged west.

For divers

Don’t build a rigid island-tour schedule around the dive.

Pick the Dwejra day by the weather first, then fit the sightseeing around the diving plan.

When you are ready to plan the day, compare every Gozo day trip or check availability for the hop-on hop-off bus above.