Xatt l-Aħmar sits on the southern coast of Gozo and is defined by its concentration of scuttled wrecks on a sandy seabed. Three former ferries, the MV Karwela, MV Xlendi, and Cominoland, rest at depths between the low thirties and mid-forties of metres, drawing wreck divers of intermediate to advanced ability. The site is protected from prevailing north-westerly winds, making conditions manageable for shore entry more often than exposed Gozo sites. Beyond the wrecks, the area includes reef, drop-off, cave systems, and a large pinnacle called Ras il-Hobz, so a single visit rarely exhausts the options. Species recorded here include seahorse, Mediterranean moray, common octopus, flying gurnard, and European parrotfish.
Monthly water temperature across Xatt l-Aħmar's sites, from satellite sea-surface data corrected for depth. The band shows the site-to-site spread.
Water temperatures sit in the mid-teens through spring before climbing into the low twenties by autumn, with the warmest conditions from September to November. A wetsuit of at least five millimetres is worth considering outside the summer months, particularly on deeper wreck dives where the thermocline can be felt.
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Water temperature around Xatt l-Aħmar ranges from about 15°C in April to 21°C in September, based on satellite sea-temperature data for its dive sites.
In the warm season (about 21°C) a 5mm suit is comfortable in Xatt l-Aħmar; in the coldest months (about 15°C) step up to a 7mm or semi-dry suit.
Fin maps 9 sites in Xatt l-Aħmar (9 scuba diving sites and 3 snorkelling spots, with some suited to both).
Across Xatt l-Aħmar's dive sites, May, June and October are most often reported as the best months to visit.
4 more sites to explore
