⚠️ Update: Following Storm Harry in February 2026, this dive site is currently not accessible for diving or swimming.
Reef Dive, Ghar Lapsi, Malta
Ghar Lapsi is located in Siggiewi on the south-west coast of Malta. It is one of the few places on the west coast where you can enter the water from the shore, and is a relaxing, scenic, and shallow dive site. Ghar Lapsi is also a very beautiful place above water, with stunning cliffs and rock formations, and is a popular swimming and snorkelling spot too.
The reef dive offers a 40-metre tunnel at the beginning or end of your dive. Once exiting the tunnel, you will come out along the reef, and within 10m is a large, clean sand patch where you can find stingrays, flying gurnards, octopuses, cuttlefish, and many small marine critters.
Because of the steep steps down to the water's edge, the entry and exit point can be tricky.
The caves
You can start your dive by going through a stunning shallow tunnel with a depth of between 3 and 6 metres. The tunnel is around 40m long from one side to the other, with 6 exit points allowing plenty of light to penetrate through the crevices and brighten the entire passage. The caves can get narrow in some areas, so good trim and buoyancy control are a must.
There is also a second, lesser-known but equally impressive cavern, roughly a 20-minute swim to the left from the main entrance.
Finger reef and crib
The crib, a collection of life-size wooden figures resembling a nativity scene, left in memorial, can be found at 22m underneath a mini overhang.
En route to the crib is the "finger reef", a large plateau with an arch to swim through. This is situated at a depth of around 18m, roughly a 10-minute swim to the right of the main caves.
Between the two is Elephant Rock, a striking formation reminiscent of an elephant's head and trunk.
Middle reef
Around this area, you will find large sand patches, sea grass, and large boulders with a maximum depth of 16m. This dive tests your navigational skills with and without a compass.
To the right of the large middle reef, you will find a massive clump of fishing nets. Many have tried to remove this but have failed due to the size and weight.
The middle reef is also home to Lizard Head Rock, a large outcrop resembling a bearded dragon.
Dive site specification: Ghar Lapsi
- Location: Ghar Lapsi, Malta
- Pronunciation: ARE – LUP – SEA
- English translation: Ascension Cave
- Type of dive: Shore Dive
- Max depth: 22m
- Minimum certification: PADI Open Water Diver
- Recommended: PADI Advanced Open Water Diver (for the crib)