Blue Grotto Malta

Blue Grotto Malta is one of the natural wonders within the area and you should not miss a visit during your stay in Malta. The Blue Grotto Malta got its name in the early 1950’s from British army servicemen who were located in Malta at the time. They used to get the local fisherman to take them for a boat trip to the sea caves during their downtime. Within a short period of time it became so popular that the fishermen started to offer this boat service to tourists and locals alike.

Blue Grotto Malta is one of the most popular attractions in Malta and is located near the harbour of Wied iz-Zurrieq, just south of the town of Qrendi. A number of caves, including the Blue Grotto, which is the biggest one, can be reached by boat from Wied iz-Zurrieq. From Wied iz-Zurrieq one can also see the small island of Filfa. Filfla is a small, mostly barren and uninhabited islet, 5 kilometres south of Malta. It is the most southerly point of the Maltese Archipelago. The name is believed to have come from Felfel, which is Arabic for a peppercorn.

The scenery around this area of the island is absolutely breathtaking. The cliffs rise out of the clear blue Mediterranean waters and the waves hitting the rocks can make for some excellent photo opportunities.

This area of Blue Grotto Malta did comprise of a huge and very impressive main arch, which is approximately 30m in height, but this has sadly fallen into the ocean. Within the cave system there are 6 other caves. The cave all have names, including; Honeymoon Cave, Cat’s Cave and the simply stunning Reflection Cave.

The open waters of the Mediterranean are what in fact has created this beautiful cave system. Throughout the centuries, the persistent crashing of the waves against the hard cliff faces has resulted in the formation of the huge, arch like grotto, as well as several adjoining caves and nearby rock formations.

Even though the caves are a magical site within themselves, the true beauty of this area really shines through on a clear, sunny day. The blue sky reflects off the seabed which in turn makes the surrounding ocean a vivid blue. Adding to this, the cave walls mirror the brilliant glowing orange, purple and green colours of the underwater flora, resulting in spectacular scenes of colour.

Getting to Blue Grotto Malta

All tour boats to the Blue Grotto Malta depart from the harbour at Wied iż-Żurrieq. The boats depart daily between 09:00 and 16:30 weather permitting, (apart from Christmas and New Year) and cruise for about 25 minutes before reaching the caves.

Getting to the harbour by hire car is very simple, just head towards Żurrieq and then follow the road signs towards the Blue Grotto. If you are not driving and prefer to use public transport, catching a bus to the area is always an option. Wied iż-Żurrieq is 12.6 km from Valletta and is approximately a 45 minute drive by bus or 25 minute drive by car.

A visit to the Blue Grotto is a must; however, the site can get extremely busy during summer. To enjoy the caves at their best, we recommend visiting early in the morning when the sun is lower in the sky and the sea is calmer. If boats are not going out due to rough seas, there is a viewing platform on the road leading to site, where you can also enjoy this natural wonder.