Depth
0m
South Malta · Open Water · 5–36m

Zurrieq East Reef

The Left Wall of Wied iz-Zurrieq descends from 5m to 36m along the eastern flank of the bay that also holds the Um El Faroud. The wall is alive with large shoals, groupers in the overhangs, moray eels, cuttlefish, and flying gurnards on the sand. Visibility here is among the best in south Malta, often reaching 25m or more.

35°49′08″N · 14°27′08″E  |  Wied iz-Zurrieq, South Malta

36m
Max Depth
5m
Min Depth
OW
Min Cert
20–30m
Visibility
Shore
Entry
Year-round
Season
5m
Min Depth
36m
Max Depth
OW
Level
20–30m
Visibility
Shore
Entry
Year-round
Season
Site Profile

The Left Wall: a wall dive from entry depth to 36m

Wied iz-Zurrieq is a narrow inlet cut into Malta's southern limestone cliffs. The east side of the bay, known as the Left Wall or Zurrieq East Reef, begins immediately off the shore entry point and runs as a continuous reef wall from about 5m down to 36m, where rocky terrain meets open sand.

This is the same bay as the Um El Faroud, Malta's largest diveable wreck, which lies directly across to the west. The east reef is a natural complement to a wreck dive, offering genuine wall diving with rich marine life in the same location. Open Water divers can enjoy the upper sections of the wall; those with Advanced certification can push the wall to its full depth.

Quick Facts
Also Known As Left Wall, Zurrieq East Reef
Location Wied iz-Zurrieq, South Malta
Site Type Reef, Wall
Min Cert Open Water
Same Bay Um El Faroud wreck, West Reef and Caves
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.

Dusky Grouper underwater Malta 5–50m
Bony Fish

Dusky Grouper

Epinephelus marginatus
Mediterranean Moray underwater Malta 0–100m
Bony Fish

Mediterranean Moray

Muraena helena
Flying Gurnard underwater Malta 5–100m
Bony Fish

Flying Gurnard

Dactylopterus volitans
Blotched Picarel underwater Malta 5–200m
Bony Fish

Blotched Picarel

Spicara maena
Brown Chromis underwater Malta 0–40m
Bony Fish

Brown Chromis

Chromis multilinea
Yellow Gorgonian underwater Malta 10–100m
Cnidarians

Yellow Gorgonian

Eunicella cavolini
Common Octopus underwater Malta 0–100m
Molluscs

Common Octopus

Octopus vulgaris
Violet Sea Urchin underwater Malta 5–100m
Echinoderms

Violet Sea Urchin

Sphaerechinus granularis
Depth Profile

History & Background

  • Geological
    The Zurrieq coastline on Malta's south coast presents a series of limestone reef systems extending from the cliffs into the Mediterranean. The Zurrieq East Reef is a sloping reef wall that descends from 5m at the reef crest to 36m at the sandy bottom. The area is geologically connected to the Blue Grotto cave system nearby.
  • Ancient
    The Zurrieq coast has been inhabited since prehistoric times, with the Blue Grotto area documented as a place of spiritual significance. The underwater caves visible from the Blue Grotto boat tours extend into the reef system used as the Zurrieq East Reef dive site, connecting the tourist experience to the dive site.
  • Today
    Zurrieq East Reef is a boat dive operated from Wied iz-Zurrieq. It offers a complete depth range from 5m to 36m, suitable for Open Water through Advanced divers, making it a versatile site for mixed certification groups. Best dived in calm south-facing conditions.

The reef begins at 5m below the surface, a shallow platform of limestone with dense seagrass meadows and rocky outcrops. The reef crest drops away in a series of sloping terraces: a gradual decline to 15m, then a steeper drop to 25m, before reaching a near-vertical wall between 25m and 36m where the reef meets the sandy plateau. The wall section is the most biodiverse, colonised with encrusting sponges, sea anemones in clusters, and gorgonian sea fans at 28m and below. The sandy bottom at 36m is habitat for stingrays and various flatfish. Grouper hold position in the mid-depth section of the reef, and sea bream school above the reef crest. The site offers clear sightlines across the reef face and consistent visibility of 15–25m. A good pairing with the Um El Faroud wreck for a south coast day.

ZURRIEQ EAST REEF DEPTH PROFILE (36m) OW ADV DEEP 0m 5m 18m 30m 36m Reef Platform 5m SURFACE (boat)
Dive Conditions

When to dive Zurrieq East Reef

Month Water Temp Visibility Conditions
Jan–Mar 14–15°C 20–30m Good
Apr–Jun 16–22°C 20–30m Peak
Jul–Sep 24–27°C 20–30m Peak
Oct–Dec 18–23°C 18–25m Good
Summer
30m
Winter
25m

Currents

Usually mild along the reef wall. A gentle north-to-south drift is occasionally noticed at the deeper sections, assisting navigation along the wall. Never strong in the inner bay.

Entry and Exit

Shore entry from the steps or concrete ledge at the base of the inlet. Easy in calm conditions. The inlet faces north, so it is exposed to northerly swell. Avoid entry when white water is visible on the rocks.

Equipment Notes

5mm wetsuit adequate in summer. 7mm recommended October through May. Torch useful for overhangs even in daytime. SMB is standard procedure on ascent. Nitrox extends bottom time at 30m plus.

Site Combination

The east reef is regularly paired with the Um El Faroud wreck or the West Reef and Caves as part of a two-dive day. All three sites share the same entry point at Wied iz-Zurrieq, making the logistics simple and efficient.

Dive Briefing

Safety and planning

Certification

Minimum Open Water

Open Water certification is sufficient for the upper wall down to 18m. A dive guide is strongly recommended for anyone unfamiliar with the site. Advanced Open Water is required if diving the wall to 30m or beyond.

Entry

Inlet Entry and Exit

Enter and exit from the concrete steps or ledge at the base of the inlet. Do not enter when surge is breaking across the entry ledge. Fins should be put on and removed in the water or at the lowest ledge step.

Depth

Wall Depth Management

The wall continues to 36m. There is no absolute barrier; plan your dive profile before entry and nominate a maximum depth. Turn the dive on time, not on reaching the bottom. No-stop limits must be observed throughout.

Navigation

Orientation on the Wall

Keep the wall on your right on the outbound leg (swimming south). The wall is a reliable navigation reference throughout the dive. On return, swap the wall to your left to track back to the entry point.

Ascent

SMB and Ascent

Deploy an SMB before ascending from any depth beyond 15m. Boat traffic in the outer bay is possible, particularly during summer. A 5-minute safety stop at 5m is standard practice on all wall dives.

Weather

Northerly Swell

The Wied iz-Zurrieq inlet faces north and is exposed to northerly and north-easterly swell. When conditions on the northern coast are poor, this site may also be affected. Check the entry ledge on arrival before committing to a dive.

Book This Dive

Dive Zurrieq East Reef with diveshack

diveshack guides both single and multi-dive days at Wied iz-Zurrieq, combining the East Reef with the Um El Faroud and West Reef in a single location. Transport from Sliema is included and all equipment is available on request. Groups are capped at five divers per guide.

Departs Sliema (transport included)
Group Size Max 5 divers per guide
Suitable For Open Water and above
Pair With Um El Faroud or West Reef and Caves
Book via WhatsApp Send an Enquiry

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Also in This Bay

More diving at Wied iz-Zurrieq

South Malta · Wreck

Um El Faroud

Same bay · Advanced · to 36m
South Malta · Cave

Zurrieq West Reef and Caves

Opposite reef, same bay · Advanced · to 27m
South Malta · Shore

Ghar Lapsi

Nearby south Malta site · All levels