Reef Dive, Ghar Lapsi, Malta
Ghar Lapsi is located in Siggiewi, which is located on the south-west coast of Malta. Ghar Lapsi 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 also offers a 40-meter long 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/exit point can be tricky.
The Caves
You can start your dive going through a stunning shallow tunnel with a depth between 3 to 6 meters. The length is about 40m long from one side to the other. Through the caves, there are 6 exit points with a lot of light penetrating into the caves through all the crevices and brightening up the entire tunnel. 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 20 minutes swim to the left from the main entrance.
Finger Reef and Crib
The crib can be found at 22m underneath a mini overhang. This crib is of Life Size wooden figures resembling a nativity scene, left in memorial.
En route to the crib is the "finger reef", a large plateau with an arch to swim through inside of it. 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 areas of 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.
Around the Large Middle Reef, to the right you will find a massive, heavy bulky clump of fishing nets. Many have tried to remove this but have failed to 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)