Skip to content
OpenWaterAtlas
A scuba diver creates a trail of bubbles while exploring the deep ocean underwater.
📷 Kindel Media · Pexels

Xlendi Tunnel

3.9 — based on 17 community signals
4.4 12 species 46 contributors

Xlendi Tunnel is a year-round dive destination in Malta offering a dramatic underwater passage through limestone formations.

⭐ Best for beginners.

updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Beginner
Shore entryPhotoFriendlyBeginner

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
beginner
Best months
Year-round
Marine life
Great barracuda

Top operators here

See all operators ↓

Map

This spot Operators Airport Nearby spots
Xlendi Tunnel location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
Open in Google Maps

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
3.4 kn
Wave
0.32 m
Water
28.3°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: ESE (25%)
Now: SSW (196°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 0.25m

Next: High at 02:00 (-0.38m)

+-0.3 m-0.6 m
▲ 02:00 · -0.38m ▼ 11:00 · -0.39m ▼ 19:00 · -0.43m ▲ 00:00 · -0.41m
Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24Fri 25
UV3.35 · mod Air PM2.56 · good 06:48 19:04
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-19 6.7 0.34 3 3mm
09-20 4.7 0.38 5 7mm
09-21 5.9 0.34 7 0mm
09-22 7.1 0.22 7 0mm
09-23 9.3 0.26 7 4mm
09-24 9.1 0.4 6 4mm
09-25 10.4 0.4 6 1mm

About this spot

Xlendi Tunnel is one of Malta's most distinctive dive sites, featuring a natural tunnel carved through limestone rock. The site welcomes divers year-round, making it accessible regardless of season. The tunnel itself draws divers seeking the unique geology and the experience of navigating through the formation. Local species observations have been recorded at the site, with community contributions documenting 12 species sightings. The area is not within a marine protected area, so standard Malta diving regulations apply. Three community-submitted videos document dives at this location, providing additional reference material for planning a dive. The site's appeal lies in its geological character and the adventure of the tunnel passage itself. Accessibility and consistent visitation suggest it's a well-established entry on Malta's dive map.

📖 Guide: Diving in Malta: 40 Sites, Wrecks & Caves Year-Round

Best months

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Marine life

Great barracuda

Dive types

CaveShore

Trip essentials

Everything you need before you pack — checklist, sun, logistics.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 📜 C-card + dive insurance (DAN)
  • 📔 Dive logbook
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 🔌 Plug type G · 230V adapter
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌓 Moon First quarter · 47%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 2074km · ~477kg · €9

From your departure country

United States
Origin score: 77/100
  • Visa: Visa-free · 90 days max
  • Flight: 7h · direct
  • Jet-lag: 6h east · 4 days recovery

FAQ

Can you dive Xlendi Tunnel year-round?

Yes. Xlendi Tunnel is accessible throughout the year, though sea conditions vary seasonally in Malta. Check with local dive operators for current conditions before planning your trip.

What wildlife might you encounter?

Twelve species have been documented at Xlendi Tunnel by the diving community. Refer to community video records and local dive guides for specifics on what marine life is commonly seen during dives.

Is a permit required to dive here?

Xlendi Tunnel is not inside a marine protected area. Standard Malta diving rules apply. Always dive with a qualified guide familiar with local regulations and site conditions.

Where can I find dive reports or footage?

Three community videos documenting dives at Xlendi Tunnel are available online. These provide visual reference for the tunnel formation and current site conditions as recorded by visiting divers.

Operators near this spot

Dive centres, kite & surf schools within 10 km, sourced from OpenStreetMap.

Ritual Dive

0.4 km
Dive centre
Hours: Mo-Su 08:00-18:00

Dwejra Divers

3.4 km
Dive centre

Nautic Team Gozo

6.1 km
Dive centre

Blue Waters Dive Cove

9.5 km
Dive centre

Utina Diving College

0.3 km
Dive centre
Hours: Mo-Su 08:00-17:00

Saint Andrew's Divers Cove

0.3 km
Dive centre

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

20. Freediving in Gozo: Xlendi, Xlendi Tunnel 2023

Stania's Dives

360 DIVING - Xlendi tunnel, Gozo - Malta diving

Scuba diving

Malta Dive Sites - MV Xlendi, Xatt l-Ahmar, Gozo

Mika Tanninen

Local knowledge

OpenStreetMap Notes
  • "Is this path still accessible by bike? We have some reports from the RouteYou community that it is not accessible anymore."

    Kevin@RouteYou · 2026-04-22
  • "This is the staring point of the stairs. The are discussed on the POI on the other (wrong) side of the bay."

    Stephan Lengauer · 2026-03-15
  • "Extremely steep and dangerous descent towards the beach here coming from the Gozo coastal trail. There is no path and the indicated stairs are at the wrong location. Please revise."

    HenrydeVries · 2023-11-11
  • "Dieser Weg existiert nicht. Es sieht nach einer aufgelassenen Baustelle aus, der der Weg zum Opfer gefallen ist."

    Stephan Lengauer · 2026-03-12
Visibility (month-by-month)
Best: Jul (100/100) Worst: Jan (0/100) Now: Sep (79/100) NOAA MODIS Aqua · 5y mean

Nearby spots

Big Bear-Little Bear Malta Diving
🇲🇹 Malta

Big Bear-Little Bear

Big Bear-Little Bear offers year-round diving near Fungus Rock in Gozo, Malta, with 12 recorded species and accessible conditions.

Beginner Jan·Feb·Mar+
Il-Ħofra tal-Bidwin Malta Diving
🇲🇹 Malta

Il-Ħofra tal-Bidwin

Il-Ħofra tal-Bidwin is a dive site near Fungus Rock in Gozo, Malta. Shore entry with diverse marine life year-round.

Beginner Jan·Feb·Mar+
Għar il-Katidral Malta Diving
🇲🇹 Malta

Għar il-Katidral

Għar il-Katidral is a sea canyon dive in Malta's Għasri Valley, accessible year-round with documented marine life and community footage available.

Intermediate Jan·Feb·Mar+

Similar spots

Same activity, shared marine species or similar profile.

Billinghurst Cave Malta Diving
🇲🇹 Malta

Billinghurst Cave

Billinghurst Cave is a Malta dive site within scenic Għasri Valley, accessible year-round with documented marine life and community video support.

Intermediate
Santa Marija Caves Dive Site Malta Diving
🇲🇹 Malta

Santa Marija Caves Dive Site

Santa Marija Caves is a year-round dive site near Comino, Malta, featuring underwater cave formations and consistent marine life.

Intermediate
Buracona — Blue Eye Cape Verde Diving
🇨🇻 Cape Verde

Buracona — Blue Eye

Volcanic lava-tube cave with a brilliant blue light hole, on the north-west coast of Sal.

Intermediate 4–22m 18m Mar·Apr·May+
Ta' Ċenċ Dive Site Malta Diving
🇲🇹 Malta

Ta' Ċenċ Dive Site

Ta' Ċenċ is a productive dive site off Gozo, Malta, with year-round access and documented marine life observations.

Beginner Jan·Feb·Mar+

Suggest an operator

Know a great dive shop, kite school, or local guide at this spot? Tell us — we'll review and add it.

Up to 500 characters
Plan
View →