Wied Iz- Zurrieq

Location: A creek at the Southern side of the island near the famed Blue Grotto - Wied Iz- Zurrieq 
Facing: South-South-West
Type: Shore dive

Wied iz-Zurrieq is a much frequented dive site notably during a North West swell because it is sheltered. It offers a variety of dive profiles and underwater terrain.

Access is easiest from the concrete quay within the inlet. Beware of fishing boats used to ferry tourists on sight-seeing trips and avoid entry near fishermen angling off the quay.

Exit is from a slipway further in at the end of the quay. Maximum attention is important when surfacing as this area is used for launching fishing boats and embarking tourist passengers.

Below is a sample of alternative directions including: 

• A cavern dive
• A deep dive
• A wall dive
• A wreck dive - Um El Faroud

Cavern Dive

Max. depth: 25 meters Entry from shore: A stride off the quay in the inlet brings you to a depth of 12 meters.

Navigation: Swimming with the rock face on your right hand side, the mouth of the creek open and drops gently to a depth of around 25 meters. The bottom is sandy with rock outcrops. About 200 meters away from the entry point, a cavern is easily found because the entry is distinct at the flat sea bed although the gap is only wide enough to take one diver.

Inside the diver notices that this is really a vertical crack in the rocks with enough space for one or two divers at a time. An exit is also available near the top of the chamber at around 15 meters depth. As the bottom is of fine sand excessive finning will reduce visibility in no time.

Beyond the cavern, the seabed rises and many boulders are home to varied marine life.

On the way back make sure you don't miss the mouth of the creek by keeping the wall face always at your left until you can see across to the other side of the creek.

Deep Dive

Max. depth: 40 meters Navigation: Taking a bearing due South will take you along the dipping slope onto a large sandy patch with small boulders and patches of posidonia. Rays and larger timid fish are more common at these depths than in the more frequented cliff faces at this dive location.

Wall Dive

Max. depth: 35 meters Navigation: Sticking to the left side of the creek the cliff wall is full of interesting crevices and outcrops as well as an interesting sea bed.
To reach further along the cliff face, rather than entering the water from the quay side, a path and steps along the shore allow entry about 50 meters away - almost below the tower/police station. Exit is safest and easiest from the inside of the creek an this dive too.

Wreck dive

Um El Faroud Type: Shore dive
Max. depth: 36 meters Navigation: Starting at Wied iz-Zurrieq, cross the creek and dive down to the drop off at the South West tip of the inlet. Then take the direction to Filfla island. The Um El Faroud a 21 mtr high oil tanker sitting upright in 36 meters. The ship was sunk as a natural reef and is typically teaming with small and large fish. It has since become one of the best wreck dives on the islands. Barracuda & tuna fish are common. Take a couple of packet of twistees with you, fish have got accustomed to feeding from divers' hand.