Inland Sea & Tunnel

Inland Sea & Tunnel, Dwejra, Gozo, Malta

Depth: 18m (avg), 60m (max)

Level: Advanced Open Water Diver or equivalent

Overview:

Inland Sea & Tunnel is one of Dwejra’s most popular dive sites and a must-see attraction on Gozo’s western coast. The Inland Sea itself is a shallow, semi-circular lagoon about 60m wide, connected to the open Mediterranean by an 80m long tunnel carved through solid rock. While the lagoon offers little in terms of underwater features with a maximum depth of just 2m, the Tunnel provides an exceptional diving experience with its progressive depth changes, dramatic rock formations, and access to adjacent reef walls and underwater caves.

Site Details: 

1. Inland Sea: A shallow lagoon with a maximum depth of approximately 2m. Serves as the entry point to the Tunnel and is also popular with tourists for boat trips along the scenic coastline.
2. Tunnel: Begins with a gentle depth of around 3m on the lagoon side, deepening gradually to about 26m at the seaward end. Features vertical walls and a pebble bottom, culminating in an exit area surrounded by large boulders. Beyond the Tunnel, the seabed drops off sharply to depths of around 50m.
3. Noth Reef Wall/South Reef Wall: Divers can choose to explore the reef walls located north or south of the Tunnel exit and then re-enter the Tunnel for a return to the Inland Sea. Alternatively, a continuous dive southward leads to Azure Reef and an exit through the Blue Hole, while to the north, several smaller caves and cracks such as Whale Cave invite further exploration.

Dive Highlights: 

• Accessibility: Typically accessed from the shore, providing a unique combination of shallow water navigation in the lagoon and deeper, more adventurous exploration through the Tunnel.
• Marine Life: It offers diverse Mediterranean marine life, with damselfish, cardinalfish, breams, and anthias commonly seen. Barracudas, groupers, and amberjacks occasionally pass through, while scorpionfish, moray eels, and octopuses hide in crevices. Fireworms, sea urchins, starfish, and red sponges add color to the rocky terrain. 

Why Visit?

This dive site is a favorite not only among divers but also tourists seeking boat excursions to admire Gozo’s rugged cliffs and sea caves. Inland Sea & Tunnel provides an immersive experience that combines shallow water relaxation with the thrill of deep, as well as excellent natural light, and striking underwater topography. Divers should remain mindful of tourist boat traffic when surfacing in the Tunnel area and adhere to safe diving practices to fully appreciate the natural beauty and excitement this site has to offer.