Dive Centre Used: Maltaqua, St Pauls Bay (see link)
Dive Site: Cirkewwa - Madonna Statue
Type of Dive: Shore Dive
Comments:
Entry into the water at this site, which is by the ferry port to Gozo, is quite difficult. The initial walk to the water is fine with a sloping pathway and a rail to aid entry, although the last step, a cut out in the rocks, is quite difficult to find unless shown. The hardest part of the entry is actually once you are in the water and trying to put your fins on! The area you are in has constant surges & swells from the sea and if you are lucky enough to find an area to sit down, you will be constantly battered by the waves. Exit form this site is by the same area and the same problem can be experienced again if you are in a queue to get out.
Apart from that, the dive itself is first rate. The water visibility, when I dived (29th Sept 2006) was at least 20 - 30 meters and the Statue is well worth the difficult entry. Also available for viewing is an anchor which at 32m deep, is probably only visited by those who are deep divers or are doing the course.
Dive Site: Cirkewwa - Rozi Tug Boat
Type of Dive: Shore Dive
Comments:
Entry into the water at this site, which is by the ferry port to Gozo, is a giant stride from a stone jetty. There are rock ledges just above the water, ~ 3-5 ft, which aid the entry and makes the giant stride last longer than normal from a boat.
The water visibility, again was at least 20 - 30 meters and the wreck is well worth it. Visited the anchor again on our way to the exit point which is the same for the initial dive, the dreaded surge pool.
Dive Site: St Pauls Bay - Imperial Eagle
Type of Dive: Boat Dive
Comments:
Entry into the water at this site, which is a 15 minute boat ride form the harbour in St Pauls bay, is a giant stride from the side of the boat. This dive is probably not mentioned in most of the dive books for the area as the wreck position is kept quiet to avoid over diving.
This dive is a classic table dive, with a straight drop down to ~40m, the swim to & around the wreck and a straight up ascent.
Once you reach your target depth, the wreck lies on the sea bed which is 42m, your approach to the boat is from the bow, so that first you see an faint shape, then a vague outline & then the full wreck is visible. Quite a sight!! The water visibility, on this dive was at least 10 - 20 meters, which although not as good as previous added to the excitement of the dive. The wreck itself is well worth it plus there is a chance to swim through the arms of Jesus before ascending.