Depth
0m
Advanced · 30m Max · Mellieha, NW Malta

L'Ahrax Point

Malta's northernmost headland. One entry point opens three completely different dives: a cavern with a natural air pocket, a long reef wall falling to 30 metres, and a tunnel that connects to a small inland sea. No other site on the island offers this range from a single descent.

35°59'N · 14°35'E  |  Mellieha, NW Malta

30m
Max Depth
7m
Cave Start
3
Dive Options
15–25m
Visibility
Adv OW
Min Cert
19–27°
Temp
30m
Max Depth
7m
Cave Start
3
Dive Options
15–25m
Visibility
Adv OW
Min Cert
Shore
Access
Site Profile

Three dives. One entry point.

  • The Point
    L'Ahrax Point is the northernmost tip of Malta, a raw limestone headland jutting into open Mediterranean water between Armier Bay and the channel separating Malta from Gozo. The exposed position means the site reads differently on every visit depending on season and swell direction.
  • The Cave
    The cavern system begins at 7 metres and penetrates deep into the headland, reaching a maximum depth of 18 metres. A natural air pocket sits inside, making this one of a small number of Maltese caves where divers can surface underwater. Stalactite formations mark a prehistoric time when this cavern sat above sea level.
  • The Reef
    The North Reef stretches along the exposed northern face of the headland. The wall starts shallow and drops steadily to 30 metres, passing through zones of dense sponge growth, schools of bream and amberjack, and the occasional resident grouper holding station in the deeper crevices.
  • The Tunnel
    A natural rock tunnel connects the open sea entry point to a small enclosed inland sea on the western side of the headland. The passage ranges from comfortably wide to narrow depending on the route taken and exits into calm, sheltered water. A popular option when the northern face carries swell.

Because the three options share the same entry point, diveshack guides brief each group on conditions before selecting the route. On a calm summer morning with good visibility, the North Reef is the standout choice. When northerly swell builds, the cave and tunnel offer protected alternatives that remain excellent dives in their own right.

// Depth Profile · L'Ahrax Point
0m 7m 18m 20m 30m Air pocket Tunnel Cave 7–18m Tunnel passage Wall 10–30m Max 30m Shallow Advanced Advanced L'Ahrax Point · Mellieha, NW Malta
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.

Painted Comber underwater Malta 5–150m
Bony Fish

Painted Comber

Serranus scriba
Rainbow Wrasse underwater Malta 0–30m
Bony Fish

Rainbow Wrasse

Coris julis
Jewel Anemone underwater Malta 0–50m
Cnidarians

Jewel Anemone

Corynactis viridis
Common Octopus underwater Malta 0–100m
Molluscs

Common Octopus

Octopus vulgaris
Red Starfish underwater Malta 0–100m
Echinoderms

Red Starfish

Echinaster sepositus
Peacock Worm underwater Malta 0–100m
Worms

Peacock Worm

Sabella pavonina
Mediterranean Cardinalfish underwater Malta 0–40m
Bony Fish

Mediterranean Cardinalfish

Apogon imberbis
Greater Hermit Crab underwater Malta 3–80m
Crustaceans

Greater Hermit Crab

Dardanus arrosor
Diving Conditions

When to dive it.

L'Ahrax Point is diveable throughout the year. The North Reef wall is at its best in summer and autumn when visibility peaks and the sea is settled. The cave and tunnel are productive year-round regardless of swell.

Season Visibility Temp Rating
Jan – Mar 10–18m 14–16°C Fair
Apr – Jun 15–22m 17–22°C Good
Jul – Sep 20–25m 24–27°C Peak
Oct – Dec 18–25m 20–25°C Peak
Average Visibility
Jul – Sep
23m
Oct – Dec
21m
Apr – Jun
18m
Jan – Mar
13m

Entry & Access

Shore entry is easy and well-established. The rocky limestone platform provides a stable entry and exit point, with a natural descent available at the cave entrance. A short surface swim of roughly 20 metres separates the entry platform from the cave mouth. Parking is available near the headland. The entry platform can be slippery in winter, so booties are recommended year-round.

Swell & Exposure

L'Ahrax Point faces directly north into open water between Malta and Gozo. Northerly swell and wind can make the main entry uncomfortable and affect the North Reef wall significantly. The cave and tunnel remain accessible in most conditions as they are sheltered on the western side. Always check the forecast before travelling. A northerly Tramontana or Gregale wind is the primary call-off condition for the reef dive.

Current

Current can run along the northern wall, particularly when a pressure gradient is pulling water through the Malta Channel. When it runs, it tends to move from east to west and at moderate strength it assists a pleasant drift along the reef face. At stronger flow it requires experience to manage. No significant current inside the cave or tunnel. The guide will assess current at the surface before briefing the route.

Safety & Requirements

Know before you go.

All diveshack L'Ahrax Point dives are guided. Maximum five divers per guide. A full site briefing is given at the entry point before every dive, including route selection based on conditions observed that morning.

30m

Certification Required

Advanced Open Water (or equivalent) is required for the North Reef wall and the full tunnel dive. The cave system can be accessed by Open Water divers on the shallower sections above 18 metres, under close guide supervision. Divers wanting to reach the air pocket at depth should hold Advanced or higher certification. A cave or cavern specialty is not required for the guided cavern dives at this site.

Adv OW for reef and full tunnel
NDL

No-Decompression Limits

At 30 metres on air, NDL is approximately 20 minutes. The North Reef wall allows a natural ascending profile: start deeper at the base of the wall and work up gradually, maximising bottom time across the full depth range. A 3-minute safety stop at 5 metres is mandatory on all diveshack guided dives. Nitrox EAN32 extends NDL to approximately 35 minutes at 30 metres and is available on request.

Safety stop: 5m / 3 min
5

Group Size & Briefing

Maximum five divers per guide on all L'Ahrax Point dives. The pre-dive briefing covers route selection, turn-around depth, gas management, buddy procedures for the cave, emergency signals, and ascent procedure. For cave dives, the briefing includes specific guidance on torch etiquette, sediment avoidance, and the air pocket protocol. Divers must confirm comfort with the selected route before descent.

Max 5 divers / guide
Kit

Recommended Equipment

Torch is required for the cave and strongly recommended for the tunnel. Dive computer mandatory. SMB for ascent. Wetsuit of at least 5mm in winter; 3mm acceptable in summer. Dive booties recommended year-round for the rocky entry platform. Equipment hire is available from diveshack. Wide-angle lens suits the cave mouth with natural light on calm mornings.

Torch hire available
Gas

Gas Planning

Minimum start pressure 200 bar. Rule of thirds applies on all dives involving the cave or tunnel: one third in, one third out, one third reserve. On the North Reef wall, standard back-gas planning with a reserve of 50 bar at the surface is the minimum. Nitrox EAN32 is available; book ahead of your dive. All cylinders are filled and inspected at the shop before departure.

Nitrox EAN32 available
DAN

Emergency & Insurance

Nearest hyperbaric chamber at Mater Dei Hospital, Msida. DAN dive accident insurance is strongly recommended and is available through diveshack. Emergency oxygen is on site at all times. Every guide is first-aid trained and familiar with the evacuation route from L'Ahrax Point. Emergency: 112. DAN Europe: +39 06 4211 5685.

DAN insurance available
Book This Dive

Dive L'Ahrax Point with diveshack

Guided dives run on Wednesday and Sunday mornings. Departure from the L'Ahrax Point entry platform at 09:00. Transport from Sliema can be arranged on request. Private charters and small-group bookings are available any day of the week, subject to conditions at the site.

Departs 09:00, Wed & Sun, L'Ahrax Point
Duration Approx. 2–2.5 hours total
Group Size Max 5 divers per guide
Cert. Required Advanced Open Water minimum
Equipment Hire available including torches
Nitrox EAN32 available, book with dive
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