Dwejra Bay Gozo: Discovering its Natural Beauty
Have you ever heard of a stunning place called Dwejra? Well, if you haven’t, you’re in luck! In this ultimate guide to some of Malta and Gozo’s most spectacular locations, I will be taking you through a typical visit to Dwejra Bay, and we’ll be letting you in on all its secrets, gems, wonders, and, ultimately, how you can make the most out of your trip.
Why Dwejra Bay is Worth Visiting
The beauty of Dwejra Bay is simply unmatched. Located on the north-western coast of the island of Gozo in the limits of San Lawrenz, it has been regarded as one of Gozo’s most extraordinary attractions that many tourists love—and with good reason!
In a nutshell, you can say that it is an outdoor museum that combines a good dose of natural history, archaeology, and geology all together through famous landmarks such as the Inland Sea, the Fungus Rock, the Azure Window and the Dwejra Watchtower.
How to get to Dwejra Bay
So, first things first. How can you make your way to Dwejra? Luckily, there are plenty of options that can help you get there in no time.
Tuk-Tuk and Quad Tours with Yippee
We’re the #1 tour provider in Gozo, and our Quad Bike tours in Gozo stop at Dwejra. In short, you’re guaranteed a fun day out with us! All major stops in Dwejra, such as the Inland Sea and Fungus Rock (San Lawrenz), are included in our stops.
By bus
Since Dwejra is located within easy reach from Victoria (the "capital" of Gozo), public transport is also available. Take the 311 route from Victoria and then get off at the Dwejra bus stop. The trip lasts approximately 25 minutes.
By car
You can also get there by car. Simply follow the signs that will guide you to San Lawrenz and, finally, Dwejra Valley. Visitors can park their cars in the parking area that is near main sites such as the Inland Sea.
Highlights of Dwejra Bay
Any trip to Gozo is jam-packed with several highlights that will certainly delight locals and tourists alike; A visit to Dwejra Bay is no exception. Here’s what’s in store for you:
- Fantastic views
- Swim in the inland sea beach
- A boat trip from the Dwejra inland sea
- The historic Dwejra tower
- St Anne’s Chapel
- The former site of the Azure Window
- The Fungus Rock
- GoT Filming Location
- Dive or swim in the Blue Hole
- The Coral Gardens Dive Site
- Watching a spectacular sunset
- A walk along the cliffs
Remembering Dwejra Bay’s Azure Window
As many locals know, Dwejra Bay is famous for the Azure Window/the Dwejra Window or, as it’s also known in Maltese, It-Tieqa Zerqa. For many years, the imposing natural arch sat at the tip of a headland known as Dwejra Point and was considered one of the major landmarks of the Maltese Islands.
What’s more, the Azure Window and the surrounding Mediterranean Sea served as a breathtaking backdrop for several big productions and films. Game of Thrones fans will surely remember the Dothraki wedding of Khal Drogo and Daenerys Targaryen. Adding to this, the Azure Window has also made an appearance in Clash of the Titans, The Count of Monte Cristo, Vinnaithaandi Varuvaaya, and The Odyssey.
Despite the wonder that this landmark has emulated for many years, the arch collapsed on 8th March 2017 during a storm. All that remains are the memories and photos some of us are lucky to have. If you look closely, you might even see a cliff face that appeared on the rocks following the collapse of the Azure Window from the mainland.
There's a similar natural rock arch that's survived the violence of rough seas, which is fairly easy to reach on the outskirts of Gharb: The Wied il-Mielah Window
The Island’s Watchtower
Just off the road leading to the inland sea is the imposing Dwejra Tower, another historical landmark that was built in 1652 during the administration of Grandmaster Giovanni Paolo Lascaris.
When compared to Malta, it’s important to highlight that Gozo has always been substantially undefended. As the history books tell us, Gozo has sadly had its fair share of pirate attacks, to the point where the population was taken into slavery.
With this in mind, this landmark acted as an observation post to protect the surrounding environment from any enemy attacks. Equipped with three 6-pounder guns, the tower’s observer on duty communicated with other defences through fire and smoke.
By 1744, access to the Fungus Rock—also known as the General’s Rock or Il-Gebla tal-General in Maltese, was prohibited during the reign of Grandmaster Pinto. This prevented thieves or anyone who wasn’t authorised to climb by the Knights of St John. Additionally, there was another reason why accessing Fungus Rock was illegal at the time.
The nearby presence of the fabled General’s root plant, Cynomorium coccineum generated a lot of interest due to its healing properties that were able to cure several diseases. Any trespassers who were caught climbing were either condemned to rowing the Order’s galley benches for life or sentenced to death. If you’re wondering how the Fungus Rock got its name, here’s a fun fact: The Order of St John thought it was a fungus that eventually became known as Fungus melitensis.
Until 1873, the Dwejra Tower still served as an observation post while the soldiers from the Royal Malta Fencible Artillery were assigned to it. Following this, the tower was slowly collapsing and was constantly being vandalised. Nevertheless, the non-governmental and non-profit Din l-Art Helwa restored it in 1999.
Nowadays, people who visit the site can enjoy stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea and snap a photo or two for the photo album!
Swimming in the Inland Sea
Along with all the magnificent sights you can see when you visit Dwejra Bay, you can’t miss out on a swim or a boat trip in the Inland Sea.
Also known as Il-Qawra, the Inland Sea is a lagoon of seawater that comes through a natural tunnel, sheltered by the famous pebbly beach and high cliffs. What’s so remarkable about this marvel is that it was most likely formed when a geological fault in the limestone created a sea cave, and as a result of that, the roof disappeared beneath the waves.
The inland sea is a great swimming and snorkelling spot for all the family, especially if you have children. The lagoon is quite shallow until you get close to the 80-metre-long tunnel leading to the open sea. Once you exit the tunnel, the depth goes up to 35 metres. If you enjoy experiencing life underwater, the inland sea dive certainly doesn’t disappoint.
A Diver’s Paradise - The Blue Hole in Dwejra Bay
Besides the inland sea beach, Dwejra’s Blue Hole is probably the most captivating and well-known scuba diving spot on the island. With its crystal clear waters shining so bright under the warm sun, the winds and waves remarkably carved out this natural rock formation many centuries ago. Its shape is quite peculiar, as you can say that it's an upright underwater tunnel.
If you’re interested in visiting this fascinating site, make sure you ditch the flip-flops and wear a good pair of walking shoes instead so that you can safely go over the sharp edges and rocky surfaces of the coralline limestone rocks. The passage carved through the rocks should make the trek down to the attraction slightly easier.
Voted ‘Best Dive’ of the Mediterranean multiple times, the Blue Hole is a treasure trove of wonders and well and truly a diver’s paradise. Trust us when we say that divers of all levels are promised an unforgettable experience.
Upon arriving at the site, your eyes might deceive you into thinking that the blue hole is carved into the rocks. In reality, an underwater archway located 10 metres below the surface connects it to the open sea. As you slowly descend from the shore, you’ll instantly find yourself in the Blue Hole, with a huge archway starting at 6 metres that ultimately extends to a 15-metre depth. That’s when the real fun starts.
Did you know there is a sea cave at the bottom of the blue hole? In short, the sea life and scenery that await once you go through the cave entrance are a sight to behold. In other words, if you’re able to do this spectacular dive, make sure you get a torch and a Go-Pro with you!
Exploring Dwejra’s Coral Gardens
We all know that the Blue Hole dive is simply spellbinding, but did you know that there is another dive site that’s worthy of a visit? The Coral Gardens are exactly what you imagine them to be.
Once again, ensure your Go-Pro is ready to snap the spectacular sea swimming beneath the waves. From damselfish, thick grey mullets, wrasses, sea urchins, jellyfish, and starfish to tuna—as the song we all know and love goes, “Life under the sea is better than anything they got up there.”
Needless to say, we highly recommend divers of all levels to explore the everlasting beauty of the Blue Hole and Coral Gardens, but we still urge you to be mindful of the wind conditions and the rough seas since these sites are not closed off from the open sea.
Hiking from Dwejra Bay to the Xwejni Salt Pans
If you have some time, a hike from Dwejra to the Xwejni Salt Pans should be high on your Gozo bucket list.
Along with Dwejra Bay and the many other marvels that the island has to offer, the iconic patterns and shimmering waters of the Xwejni Salt Pans are certainly a sight to see. Depending on your pace, this 14 Km trek should last around three or four hours.
The Sunsets and Seascapes of Dwejra
As the evening draws in, there’s simply nothing taking in all the memories of your day as you sit back and experience the most spectacular sunset in Dwejra Bay.
Whether you just want to relax and enjoy it from your car or whether you want to take a cliff walk along the coast, watching the sunset over the nearby Fungus Rock and the Inland Sea is nothing short of magical.
Simply put, it’s one of those things that must be seen to be believed.
Visit Dwejra with Yippee
All in all, Dwejra offers the ultimate day out for couples, families and groups planning a trip to Malta and Gozo. The beauty of the inland sea, the famous landmarks, the natural features of the cliffs and the historical significance of the area…need we say more?
If you’re pressed for time but still want to visit all the glorious places that the island is known for, we’ve got you covered! Hop on to our thrilling Quad bike tour to visit Dwejra, and we'll take care of your day out in Gozo. We pride ourselves in giving you a fun day out and a great first impression of our beautiful home island!
