The Inland Sea Description
The Inland Sea is a small sea lake connected to the open Mediterranean Sea by a natural cave that forms narrow straight tunnel through the cliffs. The tunnel is wide enough to allow the passage of small boats. It is thought that the Inland Sea started life as a tunnel leading to a colossal sea cave and then the roof of the cave collapsed.
Most of the buildings are boat houses with a few fisher mens dwellings. There is also a small bar that sells snacks drinks and ice cream.
Photograph Inland sea, boat houses watch tower, taken from a returning boat exiting the cave
The Inland Sea Location
Near Dwejra Point & Bay, Gozo's West Coast
View from the road as you descend towards Dwejra Point area and Inland sea. Photo centre between the green vegetation circle &coast.
You can see the top of the Azure Window, and just make out the small section of the blue of the Inland Sea near the buildings. The Azure Window has collapsed into the sea
View from the road as you descend towards the Inland sea and the cave leading to the open Mediterranean Sea.
- The Inland Sea is located near Dwejra Point and Dwejra bay, Gozo
- Take the San Lawrenz road out of Victoria. Pass through San Lawrenz and continue to the coast.
- As the road descend towards the coast good views of, from left to right, Fungus rock, the Inland Sea and the Azure Window are visible.
- The road ends in a large car park.
- There are several attractions that can be visited from this Car park, all within a few minutes walk. As you face the sea in the car park the Inland Sea is located on the right, slightly behind you.
Inland sea, divers, Dwejra Watch Tower top left & small cafe extreme right.
Boat Trips from the Inland Sea
In calm weather the local fishermen take boat trips through the tunnel to view:
- The caves and dramatic cliffs on the open sea side
- The Azur Window now has collapsed into the sea, this dramatic Arch has gone forever.
Boat Trips More Information
Boat Trips from the Inland Sea
Diving and Snorkelling - Inland Sea
The Inland Sea is very shallow ideal for kids to snorkel in, but away from the route the tourist trip boats take. It is used as a starting point for diving the open sea that is located through the tunnel
This is considered the best dive site in Malta by the majority of divers and some say the best in the world.
The depth once through the tunnel to the open sea is around 50 m, with great dives among the large boulders at the vertical underwater cliff face.
When I did this dive around 50 years ago we were experience BSAC divers and it was done on air, which entails a degree of nitrogen narcosis,this gives an effect similar to being slightly intoxicated.
Now the BSAC restrict diving on air to 40m. Depths greater than this being done on mixed gas
When I dived here decompression was required after around 10 minute dive. The length of decompression stops depends on the length of dive beyond 10 minutes and is easy by ascending to your decompression depth(s) then slowly trans versing back to the tunnel, enjoying exhuming the sea life in the nooks fissure in the rock cliff face
Now mixed gas is used for this depth. This is usually Nitrox which has a higher concentration of oxygen& a lower concentration of nitrogen. There are also Tri mixes Nitrogen, Helium & Oxygen, or Helium Oxygen. These gas mixes reduce the risk of nitrogen narcosis and extend the dive time and improve the dive time, decompression time ratio
Video of Diving the Cave between Inland Sea & the Open Sea
Photograph of Inland sea, and a group of divers on the jetty. The dark cave in the photo centre boat houses.
Divers near the surface must keep the side wall, away from the frequent Boat trips that go through this 105 metre long cave.
The water in the inland sea is shallow and many small fish can be seen. This site is very popular with scuba divers because they can easily swim through the cave to the sea. The cave has shear walls that are undercut most of the way, ie. the cave becomes wider as you descend.
Scuba Divers about to enter the water.
They will normally snorkel across the Inland Sea the either Snorkel through the cave or submerge at the inner entrance to the cave, 6 metres dropping quickly to 15 metres, deepening to 25 metres half way through where the water rapidly increases in depth to around 50 metres under the cliffs on the open sea side.
Divers Wet suits drying on 2 vehicles. Wet suits provide insolation and are needed because the water temperature at depth is far colder than on the surface.
Photographs Inland sea and 4 divers finishing there kitting up against a jetty. Boat houses can be seen in the left background. One of the boat houses, just off the photo has been converted into a bar and cafe
Enter the water to the left of the jetties, snorkel across the inland sea keeping left of the boat traffic, Dive at the at cave entrance and enter the tunnel, torches are an asset, the light adding colour, but your eyes soon become accustomed to the dark. As you approach the open sea end, you will see the absolutely amazing blue colour of the water, the colour is tightened by the light of the open sea and the darkness of the cave. The depth of the cave at the open sea side is about 25-30 metres and the sea bed 50 metres. You eventually gain access to the rock cliff walls on the Mediterranean Sea side. Because of the rocky nature of the area the sea is crystal clear and the surface can easily be seen from the sea bed at the foot of the vertical cliffs at a depth of around 50 metres. It is essential to frequently look at your depth meter as some areas are 60 metres or deeper, the flat sandy sea bed slowly get deeper as you leave the base of the cliffs.
I have seen large rays cruising along the coast in this area. The large boulders at the foot of the cliffs are home to large groupers but they quickly disappear at the sight of divers.
For divers the main area of interest is in the piles of rocks at the base of the cliffs. Decompression can be carried out swimming back to the cave and through the cave maintaining the correct depth on the cliff face, a good time to examine all the nooks and crannies.
You can either
- Dive from and return to the Inland Sea
- Dive from the Inland Sea turn left at the outer side of the tunnel and continue round to the Blue hole around 440 metres from the outer side of the cave. Obtain advice from the local dive schools for recommended depths and the time for this dive.
The shallow waters of the Inland Sea with a rock and pebble bottom is ideal for snorkelling, of course snorkelers and swimmers should stay clear of the area between the jetties and the cave, because of the constant flow of boats
The visibility in the inland Sea normally excellent drops to zero after heavy rain and the fine silt is carried out into the cave.
Dwejra Point and Dwejra Bay Attractions
- Azure Window now destroyed
- Blue Hole
- Fungus Rock
- Inland Sea
- Boat trips from the Inland sea
Because the rocks are very uneven and have sharp edges we recommend strong shoes or boots if you wish to walk on the rocks
Attractions on or near Route to Dwejra Point and Dwejra Bay
- San Lawrenz Bus 311 & 312
- Gharb Bus 312
- Ta'Pinu Bus 312
Transport - Buses
Buses to Dwejra
- 311 Victoria to Dwejra
Buses go to the Car Park that serves Dwejra Point, Dwejra Bay, views of Fungus Rock, Inland Sea, Boat trips from Inland Sea
City Hop on Sightseeing bus
More information Gozo Sightseeing bus
Dwejra is on the Purple route
Other top spots to visit on this route Xlendi resort Ta' Pinu Basilica near, Gharb, Victoria Attractions,