Malta & Gozo · Malta · Cave & cavern
Santa Marija Caves
A cave that runs right through a Comino headland
Photo: JamilTanner · CC BY-SA 4.0
A shallow cave and cavern system cut into a headland on Comino, dived by boat on day trips to the island. Its passages are shallow and easy, safe even for less experienced divers, and the inlet in front is home to a large number of tame sea breams.
Also known as Santa Maria Caves, Comino Caves, Ghemieri Caves.
Where it is and how deep
36.0181° N, 14.3405° EApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.
The dive
The dive starts in the inlet, home to a large number of sea breams used to being fed by divers. The caves stay within 10 m. The cave to the north extends all the way through the headland, with at least two routes through it. After the exits, the area to the left can be explored down to about 20 m.
Marine life and season
- Reef fish swarms
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fair | Fair | Fair | Good | Good | Prime | Prime | Prime | Prime | Good | Good | Fair |
Season follows Malta & Gozo: Jun–Sep is the main season, with the sea averaging 21–26 °C; it never drops below 14 °C, so diving carries on through the winter.
Dive videos
Santa Maria Caves, Comino, Malta · DiveDiveDive! on YouTube
Questions divers ask
Are the Santa Marija Caves suitable for new divers?+
Yes. The caves are shallow and easy, staying within 10 m, and are dived by boat; only the area left of the exits goes deeper, to about 20 m.
Sources
- www.scubago.com santa-maria-caves-87321 — ScubaGo
- www.calypsosac.org santa-marija-caves — Calypso Sub-Aqua Club
- paradisediving.com comino-santa-marija-caves — Paradise Diving
Photo credits
- A diver in silhouette swims through a cave opening framed by dark rock, with bright blue water beyond. by JamilTanner, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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