Depth
0m
Advanced Zone · 10–50m+ · Cominotto Islet · Boat Only

Cominotto Reef

Five distinct dive sub-sites wrap the perimeter of Malta's most isolated uninhabited islet. Vertical walls, boulder fields, sea caves, and overhangs in open-water visibility that regularly tops 30 metres. This is reef diving at its most dramatic.

36°00'N · 14°19'E  |  Cominotto Islet, NW of Malta

50m+
Max Depth
10m
Min Depth
5
Sub-Sites
25–35m
Visibility
Adv OW
Min Cert
Boat
Access
50m+
Max Depth
10m
Min Depth
5
Sub-Sites
25–35m
Visibility
Adv OW
Min Cert
Boat
Access
Site Profile

Five sub-sites. One tiny islet.

  • The Islet
    Cominotto is a small uninhabited islet sitting immediately west of Comino island, in the channel between Comino and Gozo. The islet itself is barren limestone above the waterline, but its submerged perimeter is one of the most varied reef environments in the Maltese Islands.
  • The Reef
    The rocky substrate drops away steeply on several sides, transitioning from shallow boulder gardens at 10 metres through dramatic vertical walls to sand and rubble seabed beyond 50 metres. Overhangs and shallow sea caves punctuate the wall sections on the western and southern faces, giving the reef genuine structural complexity at depth.
  • The Life
    The open-water position and clean current bring exceptional marine life density. Grouper and sea bream patrol the mid-water column. Moray eels occupy crevices throughout the wall system. Barracuda school in open water off the northern point. Octopus are common in the boulder fields, and patient divers find nudibranch species on the rocky substrate throughout the year.
  • Combined
    Cominotto Reef is frequently combined with Blue Lagoon Comino on the same boat day. The two sites sit within minutes of each other, making a two-dive day trip highly efficient. diveshack runs these combined days throughout the season, with departure from Sliema waterfront.

The 5 sub-sites around Cominotto's perimeter offer genuinely different experiences, from shallow photogenic boulders on the east side to the deep southwest wall where experienced Advanced divers can push beyond 40 metres into the quieter, darker water below the thermocline. No single dive covers everything. Most divers return across multiple trips to work their way around the islet systematically, and the rewards increase with each visit as the subtler details of the reef reveal themselves.

// Depth Profile · Cominotto Reef · 5 Sub-Sites
0m 10m 30m 50m N.Wall NE Point E.Boulders SW Caves Pinnacles Overhang · 40m Cave entrance · 35m Deep wall >50m Snorkel Advanced Deep Tec Cominotto Islet · 36.0134N 14.3210E · Boat access only
Marine Life

What You Might See

Species commonly encountered at this site, based on depth and habitat. Click any card to read the full species guide.

Greater Amberjack underwater Malta 20–70m
Bony Fish

Greater Amberjack

Seriola dumerili
Common Dentex underwater Malta 15–200m
Bony Fish

Common Dentex

Dentex dentex
Mediterranean Fairy Basslet underwater Malta 5–200m
Bony Fish

Mediterranean Fairy Basslet

Anthias anthias
Yellow Gorgonian underwater Malta 10–100m
Cnidarians

Yellow Gorgonian

Eunicella cavolini
Violescent Sea Whip underwater Malta 30–200m
Cnidarians

Violescent Sea Whip

Paramuricea clavata
Dusky Grouper underwater Malta 5–50m
Bony Fish

Dusky Grouper

Epinephelus marginatus
Conger Eel underwater Malta 5–500m
Bony Fish

Conger Eel

Conger conger
Mediterranean Feather Star underwater Malta 0–200m
Echinoderms

Mediterranean Feather Star

Antedon mediterranea
Diving Conditions

When to dive it.

Cominotto is a seasonal boat dive. The exposed open-water position means it is weather-dependent, and the site is at its best from late spring through to late autumn when settled conditions prevail and visibility is at its peak.

Season Visibility Temp Rating
Jan – Mar 15–22m 14–16°C Fair
Apr – Jun 22–28m 18–23°C Good
Jul – Sep 28–35m 25–28°C Peak
Oct – Dec 22–30m 20–25°C Peak
Average Visibility
Jul – Sep
32m
Oct – Dec
26m
Apr – Jun
25m
Jan – Mar
18m

Visibility

The open-water position of Cominotto, away from harbour approaches and removed from any sandy runoff, delivers some of the highest average visibility in the Maltese Islands. 30 metres is routine in summer. Even in winter, the crystal clarity of the northern channel means 15 metres is the floor. Underwater photographers consistently rate Cominotto among their best Malta experiences, and the combination of structural complexity and clear water makes every dive genuinely photogenic.

Boat Access & Conditions

Boat access only. There is no shore access to Cominotto's dive sites. diveshack runs scheduled boat departures from Sliema waterfront with a transit time of approximately 45 minutes to the islet. The site is exposed on the northern and western faces and can be affected by wind from the northwest. On days with significant swell or a strong northwesterly, diveshack will redirect to the sheltered eastern sub-sites or substitute a comparable Comino site. All weather decisions are made on the morning of departure after consulting the marine forecast.

Current

Current on the northern face can be moderate when the prevailing northwesterly is running. The channel between Cominotto and Gozo funnels water movement, and experienced divers can use this to drift along the wall. On the eastern side, current is generally light to negligible. The southwest face sees intermittent surge rather than sustained current flow. A surface marker buoy is carried on all dives. Your guide will assess current direction before each descent and adjust the dive plan accordingly to ensure a comfortable, controlled ascent.

Safety & Requirements

Know before you go.

All diveshack Cominotto Reef dives are guided. The combination of depth, open-water position, and multiple sub-sites means thorough pre-dive briefing is essential on every dive. Maximum five divers per guide on all boat dives.

AOW

Certification Required

Advanced Open Water (or equivalent from any recognised agency) is the minimum certification for Cominotto Reef. The depth range, open-water conditions, and presence of deeper sub-sites make this site unsuitable for Open Water certified divers. Those wishing to access the deep wall sections beyond 40 metres should hold a Deep Diver specialty or have equivalent documented deep dive experience. All certifications are verified at the time of booking and again on the day of the dive.

Advanced Open Water minimum
NDL

Depth & No-Decompression Limits

On air at 40 metres, NDL is approximately 9 minutes. On EAN32 Nitrox, NDL at 40 metres extends to approximately 14 minutes, giving meaningfully more productive time at the deeper sub-sites. For divers visiting the east boulders and staying within 25 metres, NDL is not a limiting factor for normal recreational dive durations. A mandatory 3-minute safety stop at 5 metres applies to all dives from 20 metres or deeper. diveshack guides carry audible safety stop timers and signal the stop point clearly.

Safety stop: 5m / 3 min
5

Group Size & Briefing

Maximum five divers per guide on all boat dives. The pre-dive briefing covers the specific sub-site being dived that day, the agreed maximum depth, turn-around pressure, emergency hand signals, separation procedure, and the ascent plan including the safety stop position. Divers are asked to confirm their last dive, any current medications, and their experience at depth before each dive. On boat dives, the guide enters the water first and is last out.

Max 5 divers / guide
Kit

Recommended Equipment

Dive computer mandatory on all dives. SMB for ascent, particularly important on the exposed north and west faces where boat traffic may be present during peak season. Torch recommended for the southwest cave sub-site to explore the interior of the overhangs properly. Dive knife or line-cutter for the northern face where monofilament fishing line may be present on the wall. Wide-angle lens for cave entrances; macro lens for the east boulders. Full equipment hire is available from diveshack Sliema. Book ahead during busy summer periods to guarantee availability.

Computers & SMBs for hire
Gas

Gas Planning

Minimum start pressure 200 bar on all boat dives. Rule of thirds applies as standard: one third down, one third back, one third reserve. Nitrox EAN32 is available from diveshack Sliema and is strongly recommended for divers visiting the deeper sub-sites on the southwest and west faces. Book Nitrox at the time of your dive booking so cylinders can be filled and analysed the night before departure. All cylinders are visually inspected on the boat before entry. Twinset and rebreather configurations are accommodated on private charter bookings.

Nitrox EAN32 available
DAN

Emergency & Insurance

The nearest hyperbaric chamber is at Mater Dei Hospital, Msida, approximately 40 minutes by road from the Comino ferry landing at Cirkewwa. Emergency oxygen is carried on the diveshack boat at all times. All diveshack guides are first-aid and oxygen provider trained. DAN dive accident insurance is strongly recommended and is available through diveshack at point of booking. Emergency services: 112. DAN Europe: +39 06 4211 5685.

DAN insurance available
Book This Dive

Dive Cominotto with diveshack

Cominotto Reef runs as a scheduled boat day on Wednesday and Sunday mornings throughout the season, and can be combined with a Blue Lagoon Comino second dive on the same trip. Departure is from Sliema waterfront. Private boat charters are available any day of the week on request, subject to weather conditions and guide availability.

Departs 08:00, Wed & Sun, Sliema Waterfront
Duration Approx. 5 hours (transit + 2 dives)
Group Size Max 5 divers per guide
Cert. Required Advanced Open Water minimum
Equipment Hire available, book ahead
Nitrox EAN32 available, book with dive
2nd Dive Blue Lagoon Comino available same day
Email Us WhatsApp Us +356 9999 3483

Send an Enquiry

We respond within 2 hours, 08:00–17:00. Booking confirmed by email.