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Dive No:
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1
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Dive Name:
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Marfa Point
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Attraction:
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Valley for Beginners / Drop-Off / Rozi Wreck / Arch
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Dive Type:
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Shore Dive
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Distance:
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n/a
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Depth:
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6m - 35m
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Sea Bed:
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Rock & Shingles / Big Boulders / Sand / Rock
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Visibility:
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10m - 30m
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Expertise:
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1 - 5
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This is one of the most popular dives in Malta presenting a variety of dive profiles for both beginners taking their first plunge and seasoned divers looking for an exciting and beautiful experience. Below is a sample of the various alternatives :
Beginners' Valley
This area is often used by various clubs for training beginners, even though it is possible to find octopus, small morays and many small fish around the nooks and crannies.
Just by the queuing area for boarding the Gozo ferry is a short path leading to a natural shallow pool, normally used for kitting up. Swimming out of this pool one will find a shallow shelf with "valleys" no deeper than 6 meters.
Drop-Off
Jest beyond the Beginner's Valley shelf is a drop-off onto sand starting at 17 meters and gently dipping to 35 meters. The wall towards the left is rich in small and colourful marine life, such as the Rainbow Wrasse, the Cardinal Fish, Painted Combers and Octopus, with many overhangs and small caverns - most not big enough to fit a diver. The right hand side has a less spectacular wall, but present a large variety amongst the large boulders in the sand just off the drop-off. At 18 meters, just off from the Beginner's Valley, is an almost life-size statute of the Madonna in its own little grotto. There is an inscription at the base of statue describing when it was placed there and by whom.
The Rozi Wreck
Below the Lighthouse Light and after about a 100-metre swim, the bottom drops off sharply and there the old tug Rozi (Maltese for Rosanne) sits upright in about 36 metres of water. This 40-metre completely intact tug boat was deliberately sunk in 1991 to create an attraction for divers. It is regarded as one of the best dives on the Island - and it is easy to see why! Starting at the jetty and after a short swim you make a descent through the clear waters. After 10 metres you will start to see the wreck come into view. Divers tend to stay around the deck and bridge area, so as not to go too deep and hence minimize their bottom time. The Rozi has many safe entry and exit areas enabling a diver a glimpse inside. Damsel Fish are regularly fed here which creates smiling faces as they obstruct the diver's view by their sheer quantity.
The Arch
Just below the lighthouse is a narrow passage leading to the outside of the break-water. Some stairs lead to a concrete landing just above sea level, but beware of the slippery surface. Upon entering the water, follow the drop-off to the right and after a 100-metre swim you'll get to a clearing with a bottom of sand and shells. A natural rock arch encloses an open alcove with the walls full of cracks and small holes - home to numerous fish and cray-fish. The top of the arch is a t 10 metres. Shoals of jacks are common in this area, adding to the enchanting and tranquil scene.
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The bow of the Rozi is still protected by large tires. The hull, in sailing position, can be visited in its entirety.
A diver offers food to saddled seabreams, who immediately gather in large, confident numbers.
A large admiralty anchor resting on the sand is one of the attractions of the dive at Marfa Point.
The Beginners' Valley is an excellent site for those taking their first breath underwater.
The central portion of the dive follows two relatively narrow tunnels which cross the rock at a depth of 15 metres.
The arch is the main attraction of the dive. It can be reached through a long underwater route. The vaults of the arch are covered with Astroides corals and red sponges.
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