Mapping out the top sunset spots in Gozo

Gozo’s spectacular sunsets are only one of the many perks of living on this beautiful island. When on holiday in Gozo, nothing beats sitting down on a cliff’s edge and watching the sunset after a day of touring the unique island, or even better, on board a boat where the view is always unbeatable. And if you’re lucky enough to live on Gozo, there’s no better way to wind down after a long day.

Another perk of the island life is the weather – due to the mild temperatures and beautiful weather that extends into Autumn and Spring, the sunset spectacles can be enjoyed throughout most of the year.

One thing to keep in mind is that the sun rises in Qala and sets in Gharb, which means that the following locations are sure places to catch a beautiful sunset: Ta’ Ċenċ Cliffs, Sannat Sunset Viewpoint, Sanap Cliffs Sunset and Falesie di Gozo and the Salt Pans in Marsalforn.

Another option is to visit the island’s highest points, such as: Ta’ Għammar Hill, Ġordan Lighthouse, Ta’ Lourdes Chapel, San Dimitri and the Citadella.
With all that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of our 12 favourite spots to watch the sunset in Gozo.

1. Xlendi

Xlendi is a great place to combine a sunset in a small bay with a glass of wine or dinner. In Xlendi there are several small restaurants directly at the bay and at the harbour that invite you to stop for a bite to eat. The sun sets almost exactly in the middle of the bay and you have a great view of the unique colour spectacle. You can get to Xlendi easily by bus or by car.

Google Pin: https://goo.gl/maps/cahSo3FQ4m4MuHYh6

2. Ta`Cenc Cilffs

The cliffs at Ta’ Cenc are not only impressive in the bright light of day. Along the cliff, at sunset times, you can watch the sun change colour in the sky practically every minute until it finally disappears behind the horizon. To get to the cliff walking area, you actually have to walk a bit. The best way to get there is by bus or car to Cenc. From there it is about a ten-minute walk to the cliffs. The great advantage of the cliffs is that the cliffs stretch for several kilometres along the coast, so it is very easy to find a quieter section of the cliffs if you are not lazy on foot. The cliffs are great for exploring and walking along.

Google Pin: https://goo.gl/maps/CCtgHYjQemzifnFNA

3. Sanap Cliffs

The Sanap Cliffs are 130-meter-high limestone cliffs that plunge steeply into the deep Mediterranean Sea.It is one of the highest spots along this stretch of shore. As a result, the dramatic terrain rewards you with breath-taking views of the sun lowering into the sea or just behind the far cliffs.
In addition to being a great sunset location in Gozo, it’s also remote and completely silent, apart from seagulls chirping away. There’s no light pollution in the area, so take a torch with you and stay past the sunset for some stargazing. You may get to Sanap Cliffs by following a walking trail that leads here. If you want a longer trek, you can come here from Ta’Cenc Cliffs or Xledni Cliffs following the Tower.

Google Pin: https://goo.gl/maps/u6EpQ5fnGCH8ae5U6

4. Dwejra

Dwejra Bay offers two beautiful sunset spots. The famous Blue Hole not only offers a great view of the setting sun, but is also close to the former Azur Window. You.can enjoy the sunset with a view of Fungus Rock. The bus takes you to the bay, so you only have to walk a few steps. But getting there by car is no problem either, as there is a large parking lot above the bay.
Equally impressive are the sunsets from the higher points of the island, such as the cliffs in the south of the island, and the mountain peaks like Nadur and the Citadel.

Google Pin: https://goo.gl/maps/3L3ZW5Kg4pfQxcmn8

5. Citadel

From the Citadel in the heart of Gozo, in Victoria, you have a great view of the island both during the day and in the evening. It’s a great place to watch the island change from day to night life during sunset. You have to walk a few steps to get to the top of the Citadel. But the small climb is immediately rewarded with a great view and an impressive citadel. A little tip: You can walk once around the outer ring of the citadel and have a view of the whole island.

Google Pin: https://goo.gl/maps/iabynLGsnaMCXJvf8

6. Nadur

The small village of Nadur offers some beautiful spots to watch the sunset. For example the Ta’ Kenuna Tower at the western end of the village. But if you want an even better view and to be a bit more in nature, the Sopu Tower in the Ta Sopu Landfilled Park is a great alternative. You are right on the cliffs and can enjoy the last rays of the day. However, you also have to walk a little for this sunset spot. From the bus or car, it takes about twenty minutes to get to the tower. But the view is well worth it. If you don’t want to walk so much, you can watch the sunset from the Calypso Cave above Ramla Bay. You can either walk up there from the beach (about 10 minutes) or drive very close to it by car and then walk the last few metres. Note, however, that the path from the beach to the cave is very steep and in the dark it is not a good idea to take this route.

Google Pin: https://goo.gl/maps/wt1WMKYNoHWa1cWd9

7. Ramla Bay

You may see the sunset from Ramla Bay in two ways: directly from the bay while lounging on the sand, or from Tal-Mixta Cave, which overlooks the bay. If you visit the bay in the autumn, spring, or winter, you will almost certainly have the entire beach to yourself. If you go up to the cave, breath-taking sunset views may be seen through the cave’s broad gap, overlooking Ramla Bay’s brilliant red sandy beach and an endless Mediterranean horizon.

Google Pin: https://goo.gl/maps/K13GG7ctodd9gghw7

8. Qbajjar, Marsalforn

The Saltpans on Gozo’s northerly coast, just up from Marsalforn, are a captivating landmark and critical resource, sustaining a traditional trade and expertise while gathering one of Gozo’s most significant natural raw resources – salt.Google Pin:

Google pin: https://goo.gl/maps/pRFUpvzcepPwsYAm8

9. Ta Gurdan Lighthouse

Ta Gurdan Lighthouse, a Gozitan landmark, stands 161 meters above sea level and overlooks the little hamlet of l-Ghasri. This lighthouse is positioned on top of a hill and provides an excellent view of the entire island. On bright days, you might even be able to see Sicily! It’s not difficult to get there; it’s part of the settlement of Ghasri, which is about a 20-minute walk from Ta’Pinu Sanctuary. A paved upsloping route from “Triq il-Fanal” leads directly to it. The hike up to the lighthouse is rather steep, but it is a beautiful stroll with spectacular views.

Google pin: https://goo.gl/maps/CCrQe43gEKwhafpQA

10. Ta’ Ghammar Hill

Ta’ Ghammar Hill is a hill is a part of the village of Ghasri, a few hundred meters away from Ta’ Pinu shrine. There’s an path opposite Ta’ Pinu that leads you to the top of the hill. The route up is marked by stations of the cross. A vantage point on the climb up gives a glimpse of the shrine below as well as a wonderful panorma of the island of Gozo. During the golden hour, the view is simply magnificent. Once you reach the top of the hill, you will also find an ancient stone amphitheatre, magically lit. To get to the summit, park the car in the vast church parking lot and ascend the Way of the Cross path.

Google Pin: https://goo.gl/maps/ohr1JmuGpZch9zXP7

11. Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel

This chapel is dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes and is located on a cliff overlooking Mgarr Harbour. From the ferry terrace, it’s one of the first things you’ll see welcoming you to Gozo.There is a little square and open area outside the chapel. The views of the Gozo Channel, the island of Malta, and the greenery at Fort Chambray and the surrounding areas are excellent from here.
The chapel is easily accessible by foot or car from the port or the village of Gajnsielem.

Google Pin: https://goo.gl/maps/dc3WwfNbeiBc7MvJ6

12. Mgarr ix-Xini

A trail goes to the tower of Marr ix-Xini from the bottom of the bay on the left side. It’s a lovely walk, and aside from the trip to the tower, you’ll appreciate the spectacular views over the canal from this vantage point. At sunset, the sky transforms into a wonderful piece of art, and the entire bay glows golden.

Google Pin: https://goo.gl/maps/kSVeQyiFnToKMDcS6

 

 

Everything you need to know about Kayaks in Gozo and Comino.

Kayaking is a popular activity in Gozo all year-round, why? Malta’s small neighbouring island, Gozo, has a lot to offer. Besides a beautiful landscape, the island also has a unique steep coast with hidden caves and coves that can only be accessed by sea. The best way to explore these unique spots is by renting a kayak. A kayak tour is the perfect way to escape the heat and leave the crowds behind on a warm, sunny day. Not only can you relax and enjoy the view while paddling and marveling at the open sea, but you can also swim in beautiful bays and beaches.

Tips for Kayaking in Gozo

1. Kayak from Gozo to Comino

If you have plenty of time and fancy a day trip by kayak, it is recommended to paddle to Comino by kayak, not only do you avoid the crowded ferries, but you can travel to the wonderful island at your own pace. You see great rock formations and discover a great underwater world while paddling. If you want to take it a bit easier and see a different side of Gozo, you should definitely paddle along the cliffs.

2. Paddle through the great caves of the cliffs

Paddling through the various caves of the cliffs is an adventure in itself. However, you should not do this without a guide, as not all caves are suitable for exploring by kayak. They will also give you tips on how best to paddle through a very narrow hole or, if it is very narrow, how to push your way through.

3. Explore the great views and rock formations

Because the water is so clear and blue, you can see almost all the way to the bottom. Here and there you also spot a few bigger fish. You always paddle close to the cliff, so if you put your head back and look up the high cliff, you feel really tiny. The cliffs in Gozo are over 145 meters high in some places. You can see the layers of rock and history on the cliff. It is always interesting to see how nature itself has deformed over the years.

Until a few years ago, you could still paddle through Gozo’s famous Azur Window. Unfortunately, the famous Window collapsed in a storm a few years ago. Now you can kayak over it and marvel at the large boulders underwater. Today, the Azur Window can only be seen in photos and videos. Games of Throne fans watch out: The famous bloody wedding of Daenerys and Kahl Drogo in the first season of the series was filmed there and you can see the Azur Window in the background.

4. Go on a guided tour

If you choose a guided kayak tour along Gozo, you can get more out of your experience.

• The guides know the country and its history – This means you will usually get a small, exciting story about the individual caves, rock formations, and their part in the local history and myths. and events.
• The guides know the best spots – They give tips during the tour on how to paddle best or where to look so that you can see a great underwater world or a special notch in a rock, for example. They will also help you in the unlikely event that you fall into the water unplanned. Depending on the booked length of the kayak tour, you will usually take a break in a secluded bay to swim and relax.

When’s the best time to go kayaking in Gozo?

The warm climate in Malta and Gozo makes it possible to practice kayaking almost all year round. Here are our tips depending on the time of the year:

• January – February: These months are typically rainy with some storms here and there. But even throughout the winter period, you’re bound to have a sunny spell here and there.
• March – June: The spring period is the ideal time for any type of watersport. The weather is still and warm, but not too hot so you’ll avoid getting sunburnt.
• July – August: In the peak of summer you can try kayaking in the early morning or evening, although be sure to avoid the hours between 11-16:00, due to the high temperatures and UV.
• September-December: Just like Spring, this late summer and Autumn period is particularly suited for kayaking in Malta and Gozo. You have the sunshine and still waters, and comfortably enjoy any watersport without overexerting yourself.

Booking your kayaking experience

Booking an activity when you are a student at BELS English Language school in Gozo is quite easy. We work with the top kayaking providers on the island and can book the entire activity for you at the front desk. When booking through BELS, you can trust that the activity will be of high quality and fun

Your trip to Gozo 

If you’re planning to travel to the island of Gozo and enjoy watersports, have a look at our guide to diving in Gozo. You can also add an English course in Gozo to your trip for a versatile, educational and sociable experience in Gozo. Contact our team at [email protected] to learn more.

Everything you need to know for a diving holiday in Gozo.

Gozo and Malta are known as one of the best diving destinations in the Mediterranean. Gozo, as the smaller of the two islands, is usually more popular than Malta. The mild climate, even in winter, virtually ensures diving fun all year round. The good visibility (even at depths of 50 metres) and the exploration of underwater caves and grottos make the Maltese Islands a popular diving destination.

Different Types of Diving Courses in Gozo

Taster Course

Gozo offers a lot for divers, but what if you’ve never been diving before but would like to give it a try. On Gozo, that’s no problem. Almost every diving school on the island offers introductory courses for beginners. So, you don’t need any experience. You are given the equipment and a short crash course on how to handle and operate the equipment. The instructors help you both on land and underwater with any problems or questions that come up. So, you dive in a small group for about an hour. Due to the great water visibility on Gozo, you can see a breathtaking underwater world from the first few metres.

PADI Diving License

If you are on Gozo for a longer period of time, you can get your PADI certification here. Depending on how much time you have and how long you can dive per day, the lessons will vary. You can also take an intensive course and get your licence in no time at all.

The best diving spots in Gozo

Diving Sits in Gozo for all levels

Gozo offers dive sites for all levels, we have divided the sites by location and included comments on the difficulty level.

1. The Blue Hole – The Blue Hole is best known to divers below. It offers a spectacular underwater world with amazing light effects. In addition, you can dive for the remains of the Azure Window.
2. Crocodile Rock – Crocodile Rock is particularly suitable for both experienced divers and beginners. A steep wall dive awaits you that goes down to 30+ metres. After only 7 metres you reach a shallow plateau with a beautiful reef.
3. Cathedral Cave – For a magical blue water dive, explore Cathedral Cave. One dives down to large boulders, domes and passages. There is much to discover between depths 15 and 25. Cathedral Cave is suitable for divers of all levels. Gozo’s underwater world offers many grottos and underwater caves.
4. Xlendi Bay – If you are inexperienced with caves, you should dive into the fantastic tunnel in Xlendi Bay. The tunnel is located in the middle of the picturesque bay and starts at a depth of 3 metres and goes down to 8 metres. It is safe and suitable for all levels, ideal as a first experience of caves and caverns!
5. Mgarr ix-Xini – Even though this site doesn’t really seem to be particularly attractive at first glance, divers will encounter multiple types of fish that are rarely seen elsewhere, including gurnard, seahorses, pipefish, weaver-fish, sea-hare, and star-gazer. Lizardfish, goatfish, seabream, scorpionfish, octopus, cuttlefish, flounder, and baby rays are among the other species.

Wreck Diving in Gozo (for experienced divers)

For the more experienced diver, the three wrecks on Gozo provide real adventure.

1. The MV Karwela is very popular among Gozo divers. It is easy and safe to enter and penetrate the wreck. It also has a fantastic staircase, 2 decks to explore and a dark engine room underneath. You can reach the ship from a depth of 32 metres and go down to 40 metres.
2. The MV Cominoland was sunk in August 2006 and is located near the Karwela wreck. The ship is 35 metres long and lies at a depth of 40 metres. The ship’s two decks offer plenty to explore.
3. The third wreck on the island is an old ferry ship that was also sunk near the other two wrecks.

Diving schools

There are many diving schools on Gozo, so it’s easy to lose track. However, depending on what you are looking for, you will quickly find the right diving school for you. The schools offer a comprehensive programme for all levels of divers (beginners (first approaches), advanced (deeper dives) and professionals (complex cave systems)).

Some dive schools are open all year round. Due to the mild water temperatures, even in winter, winter diving is not unknown in Gozo. Should you take a diving course, you can expect them to be designed to international standards (PADI and CMAS).

Combining English courses with Diving in Gozo

Since Gozo is a popular location for both English courses and diving, many of our students visit our English school in Gozo to combine the two activities. We have a partnership with various diving centres and can help you book your entire holiday directly. Your weekdays will start with English courses in the morning, followed by diving sessions in the afternoon. This can be arranged for complete beginners or experienced divers.

Read an experience by Marie, a young adult from Germany who tried diving for the first time in Gozo.

Trying Diving for the first time, after English courses – Marie

I had the opportunity to take a diving course organised by the school. I took the introductory course dive because I can snorkel but have never been diving before.

In the morning I attended courses and I took everything I needed for diving with me to school. After lessons, I got prepared directly at school. Then we were picked up for the dive course by one of the dive instructors from the language school. This was great because we didn’t have to worry about any transfers. We then went by car to the diving centre.

There, each participant had to fill out a health form and we were provided with the equipment. We could choose between a short or a long wetsuit. We also got neoprene shoes, a mask and fins. And the most important thing is the diving waistcoat with the oxygen tank. After each student had received their equipment, we were given a short crash course in diving.

The instructor is super nice and explains everything very precisely and understandably. So that when we drove to the dive site by car, we knew exactly how to behave underwater.

After putting on our equipment on site, we climbed into the water via a small ladder. The equipment is very heavy on land, but fortunately, you don’t notice it in the water. The first time underwater was quite exciting, but with the help of the instructor, it was no problem at all. Once everyone was underwater and we felt comfortable, we slowly moved on to deeper water. And the visibility and underwater world on Gozo did not disappoint. We saw a lot of fish, and could even dive to 12 metres. The dive was a lot of fun and now I want to get a diving licence next so I can see even more of the great underwater world.

Plan your own diving holiday and English courses in Gozo

Write to us at [email protected] and we’ll guide you through the whole process of booking your trip directly online.