Cave & Reef · Right Arch · North Malta

Cirkewwa Arch
Right Arch, caves and open reef

A natural rock arch sitting 12 metres below the surface, rising 8 metres clear of the sandy seabed. The route to the arch passes through a sequence of caves and tunnels that funnel dappled light into the passages below. Open Water accessible and diveable year-round, this is one of the definitive reef dives in NW Malta.

35°59'25"N · 14°19'39"E | Cirkewwa, NW Malta

12m

Arch Depth

15m

Avg Depth

25m

Max Depth

20–30m

Visibility

Min Cert

Shore

Entry

Site Profile

The Right Arch at Cirkewwa

Also Known As

Right Arch, Green Arch. Not to be confused with Ben's Arch (the Left Arch), which is in the opposite direction from the same entry point at Paradise Bay.
Arch Dimensions

The arch sits 12 metres below the surface and stands 8 metres clear of the sandy seabed. It is wide enough for multiple divers to pass through simultaneously.
The Route In

The dive does not go straight to the arch. A series of caves and tunnels leads you through the reef system on the way in. Each cave section is short and well lit from natural openings above.
Beyond the Arch

The reef continues past the arch into the area known locally as Reef Beyond Rozi, a broad reef plateau extending towards the MV Rozi wreck site. Plenty of dive time can be spent here on a longer bottom-time profile.
Entry Point

Large stride entry from the flat rock platform at Cirkewwa car park. The same entry serves the MV Rozi, P29 Minesweeper and Ben's Arch. The arch is reached by swimming right from the entry point.

The Cirkewwa Arch at 35.9904°N, 14.3276°E is one of the most rewarding beginner-level dives in Malta. The depth stays manageable throughout, the visibility is consistently good, and the cave sequence before the arch adds genuine exploration value. The reef beyond provides a natural second phase to the dive without requiring any change of direction.

Points of Interest

Cirkewwa Arch: what to explore

8 – 14m

Cave Sequence

Two distinct cave sections mark the route to the arch. Each is short, naturally lit from openings above, and large enough to navigate without a torch. The cavern ceilings are draped in light from the surface, making this a genuinely photogenic passage.

12 – 20m

The Arch

The main event: a natural rock arch at 12 metres, standing 8 metres above the sandy floor below. Wide enough for several divers to pass through at once. The framing of blue water through the arch opening is one of the most photographed views in Maltese waters.

12 – 25m

Reef Beyond the Arch

Past the arch the reef opens onto a broad plateau known as Reef Beyond Rozi. Grouper are regular residents along this section of wall and reef top. The terrain gradually deepens towards the 25-metre maximum as you extend eastward.

All depths

Marine Life

Wrasse, bream, damselfish and grouper inhabit the reef in abundance. Octopus are commonly found in rock crevices. Moray eels patrol the darker cave sections. Nudibranch species appear on the cave walls in spring and autumn.

Diving Conditions

When to dive the Cirkewwa Arch

Season	Conditions	Temp	Vis	Rating
Jan – Mar	Cirkewwa is exposed to northwesterly swell. The arch site is partially sheltered by the reef but check sea state before driving north.	14–16°C	20–30m	Fair
Apr – Jun	Conditions improve steadily. Spring brings calmer seas and good marine life activity. An excellent time for wide-angle photography.	17–22°C	25–30m	Good
Jul – Sep	Peak season: flat calm, warm water, maximum visibility. The arch photographs best in morning light from June to September.	24–28°C	25–35m	Peak
Oct – Dec	Water stays warm through October. Autumn brings interesting water conditions and increased fish activity along the reef. November can bring northerly weather.	19–24°C	20–30m	Good

Summer

30m

Winter

20m

Currents

Generally minimal at this site. Occasional light drift along the reef wall can be observed. The arch itself is positioned where any current tends to dissipate. Check with diveshack on days following strong northwesterly weather.

Entry / Exit

Large stride entry from the flat rock platform at Cirkewwa car park. Surface swim to the reef wall, then follow the wall right to reach the caves and arch. Exit back at the same entry point. Straightforward in calm conditions.

Equipment Notes

5mm wetsuit suitable May to November; 7mm recommended December to April. A torch is useful but not required for the cave sections. Carry an SMB for open water ascent. No specialised equipment needed.

Dive Briefing

Safety and planning

Open Water

Certification

Open Water certification is sufficient for this site. The maximum depth of 25m is within recreational limits. The cave sections are all naturally lit and require no overhead environment training. Beginners are welcome with a diveshack guide.

Cave Navigation

Cave Sections

The cave passages on the route to the arch are short, wide, and lit from natural openings. You can always see the exit. No cave diving certification is required. Maintain good buoyancy to avoid disturbing sediment on the cave floor.

Orientation

Knowing the Arch

This is the Right Arch, reached by turning right from the Cirkewwa entry point. Ben's Arch (the Left Arch) is in the opposite direction. Both are accessible from the same entry point but are separate dives. Your guide will confirm the correct heading before entry.

Buoyancy

Arch Passage

Controlled buoyancy is essential when passing through the arch. Maintain neutral buoyancy throughout the cave approach to avoid stirring silt. The arch itself is wide, but diver traffic can reduce visibility quickly for those behind you.

Weather

Sea State

The entry point at Cirkewwa can become rough during northwesterly weather. diveshack assesses conditions on the morning of every dive. Entry on swell days is not recommended for new divers; the shore entry requires a confident stride from the rock platform.

SMB

Ascent Safety

Deploy an SMB before ascending from the reef. Cirkewwa sees regular ferry and pleasure boat traffic in the area. A 3-minute safety stop at 5 metres is standard practice. Your guide will carry an SMB; beginners are encouraged to carry their own.

Book This Dive

Dive the Cirkewwa Arch with diveshack

diveshack guides the Cirkewwa Arch year-round for all levels from Open Water upwards. Groups stay at four divers maximum per guide. The briefing covers the cave sequence, arch orientation, and the reef extension beyond. A great first Malta dive or a reliable repeat.

Departs Cirkewwa shore entry, NW Malta

Group Size Max 5 divers per guide

Cert. Req. Open Water minimum

Includes Guide, weights, full briefing, conditions assessment

Combine With MV Rozi, P29 Minesweeper, Ben's Arch same entry

Book via WhatsApp Send an Enquiry

Include this site in a package:

Also dive from the same entry point:

Cirkewwa Arch
Right Arch, caves and open reef

The Right Arch at Cirkewwa

What You Might See

Rainbow Wrasse

Painted Comber

Brown Chromis

Common Octopus

Purple Sea Urchin

Jewel Anemone

Mediterranean Cardinalfish

Peacock Worm

Cirkewwa Arch: what to explore

Cave Sequence

The Arch

Reef Beyond the Arch

Marine Life

When to dive the Cirkewwa Arch

Currents

Entry / Exit

Equipment Notes

Cirkewwa Arch underwater

Safety and planning

Certification

Cave Sections

Knowing the Arch

Arch Passage

Sea State

Ascent Safety

Dive the Cirkewwa Arch with diveshack

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Cirkewwa ArchRight Arch, caves and open reef

The Right Arch at Cirkewwa

What You Might See

Rainbow Wrasse

Painted Comber

Brown Chromis

Common Octopus

Purple Sea Urchin

Jewel Anemone

Mediterranean Cardinalfish

Peacock Worm

Cirkewwa Arch: what to explore

Cave Sequence

The Arch

Reef Beyond the Arch

Marine Life

When to dive the Cirkewwa Arch

Currents

Entry / Exit

Equipment Notes

Cirkewwa Arch underwater

Safety and planning

Certification

Cave Sections

Knowing the Arch

Arch Passage

Sea State

Ascent Safety

Dive the Cirkewwa Arch with diveshack

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Ben's Arch

MV Rozi

P29 Minesweeper

Cirkewwa Arch
Right Arch, caves and open reef