- Accessible with: Shore
- Depth: 10-30 Metres
Cathedral Cave is undoubtedly one of Gozo’s most stunning dive sites, suitable for divers of all levels. Surfacing inside the immense blue dome and witnessing the view from within the cavern is an unforgettable experience. Located at Wied il-Għasri, north of the village Għasri and west of Marsalforn, this site offers more than just the cave. The surrounding area, with its enormous boulders and steep walls, also provides captivating underwater exploration.
The Cathedral Caves Dive
Starting from Ghasri Valley, Cathedral Cave is located on the right hand wall just out of this spectacular narrow gorge The entrance is only 5m below the surface and leads to a huge domed vault where we can surface in a very large air pocket, the ceiling of which is approximately 15 m from the water level. As this cave faces due west, it is better to dive in the afternoon when it is very well-lit with direct sunlight. Besides this, a small crack in the cliff face 2 m above the water provides fresh air as well as adds to the light in the ‘dome’. At the far back of the cave, where the ceiling is only a metre above the surface, there are two shafts hewn from the rock going straight to the top of the cliff; a sort of well used long ago to fill the saltpans above. However, today this shaft is covered by a stone slab. The cave’s seabed is littered by huge boulders and the view to the outside blue of the ocean is breathtaking.The Cathedral Caves Aquatic Life
The Cathedral Cave at Wied il-Għasri is home to a vibrant array of aquatic life. Inside the cave, divers can spot colorful nudibranchs, shrimp, and cardinalfish. The entrance teems with parrotfish and groupers, while the rocky walls outside attract octopuses and Mediterranean moray eels. The sandy bottom hosts sea stars and flatfish, and the large boulders provide hiding spots for Pygmy Locust Lobsters and crabs. Dentex, and Amberjack can also often be seen hunting on the drop-offs. The shallows are also home to shoals of Damselfish (Chromis chromis) and seahorses (Hippocampus guttulatus) can occasionally be spotted. The diverse marine life at Cathedral Cave makes every part of the dive site a captivating underwater adventure.
