Gozo is a small island only a short ferry ride away from Malta. It is very well known for diving, red sand beaches and turquoise waters. It is a popular place for tourists to come for a day trip. However, there is so much to do on the island so I would recommend staying a little longer.
I came to Gozo to complete my PADI advanced open water certification. Dive courses aren’t cheap and so I didn’t want to spend too much money on accommodation, transport and food etc.
Where to stay
I stayed in Marsalforn during my stay in Gozo. Marsalforn is found on the north coast of Gozo. It is a lovely little seaside town with lovely restaurants all around the waterfront serving the freshest seafood.
I stayed at the Electra Guesthouse which was right on the waterfront for £29 per night. Breakfast was included in this price and you could choose a different breakfast each morning including bacon, scrambled eggs, omelettes, fresh fruit and yoghurt. The room was basic but was just what I needed for my trip. It had a private bathroom, a comfy bed and a wardrobe. I can’t say I actually spent that much time in the hotel at all as there was so much to see and I only had 5 days.
When to visit
I went in November which was great as I it was SO quiet. The weather was lovely – clear blue skies everyday with a temperature of 21 degrees Celsius. The sea was also a nice temperature and I didn’t need a wetsuit to swim. April/May and October/November look like the quietest times to visit when the weather is still nice.
Getting around
Getting around in Gozo is super easy and cheap. I mainly used buses – extremely easy to find bus stops and timings especially when using google maps. Everywhere in Gozo is no more than 20 minutes away, it is a very small island. A bus ticket costs €2 and they are valid on any bus to any location within a 2 hour period. Both Uber and Bolt are very popular in Gozo also and they are very affordable.
Things to do
- Dive course
In 2016 Gozo was voted as the second best dive location in the world. Gozo has a visibility of up to 30 metres and warm water temperatures. Between Malta and Gozo together there are over 100 wrecks making it a perfect location for a wreck dive. I did my dive course with Scuba Kings who were super friendly and accommodating. My highlight was definitely doing my wreck dive. I saw lots of beautiful octopus, barracudas and sting rays.
- Explore the Tal-Mixta Cave
To get here I took the bus to Ramla Bay. I started by going for a little walk on the beach – it has vibrant red sand and blue waters and was very different from most beaches I have seen. From the beach I walked back towards the road and followed google maps to the cave. This walk took about 40 minutes and was uphill. The path/road was surrounded by beautiful farmland and all I could hear was birds singing around me. I didn’t pass a single person on this walk but I have heard it is quite a busy tourist spot during the summer. When you reach the entrance of the cave there are some yellow arrows painted on stones to direct you to the right place. Head down into the cave and you will start to see the stunning ocean views ahead of you. I stayed here for a while admiring the view and I noticed a couple of people climbing up the cliff on a different footpath. It looked like this path was accessed straight from the beach rather than going the road way like I did (it also looked like more of a scramble).
- Day trip to the Blue Lagoon
Before I came to Gozo I had heard so much about the Blue Lagoon and had seen a lot of pictures of it so thought I best take a visit. I booked my boat ticket from Gozo with Comino Ferry Service. I booked this online which saved money – the return ticket cost only £9.80. I met them at Mgarr Harbour which was a 20 minute bus journey from my accommodation. I was told to get to the Blue Lagoon early before the crowds arrive and so I got the first boat over at 9am. I was the only person on this boat and ended up being the first person to arrive on the island this day.
The crystal clear water was stunning. I took my snorkel and was able to see lots of very beautiful small fish here. There isn’t that much to do once on the island – there is the option of doing some water sports but that’s just about it. All of the beaches are covered in deck chairs, every single inch. They do this so you physically cannot sit anywhere on the beach without having to pay for a chair. I found the tiniest bit of rock to sit on that didn’t have a chair on it. The man running the deck chair business moaned at me many times saying I was in the way so after 3 comments I ended up getting up and leaving. The thing everyone seems to do on the island is get a cocktail in a pineapple. I did get one and it was absolutely delicious. You can take your pineapples back for refills for a discounted price which was great.
- Salt pans
The Xwejni salt pans are found a short 15 minute walk out of Marsalforn. This is where salt is harvested and this trade has been going on since the 1860s. The method involves using sea-water evaporation to produce artisan salt. It is important to respect the area and not walk all over the salt pans – there are signs everywhere asking you not to but people seemed to be ignoring them for photos. This is how some of the locals make a living and it is important that people do not ruin this. There are salt pans that are not being used a little further up that you can walk around to take a closer look.
Where to eat
- Casa Vostra – one of the best pizzas I have eaten. This was recommend by my Italian dive instructor so I knew it must be good! It is found in Gozo’s capital, Victoria.
- Otters Bistro – on the waterfront in Marsalforn, I had a very delicious fresh pasta dish.
- Pierre’s – also found on Marsalforn waterfront. Beautiful views- right on the water. I had some lovely fresh octopus here
All of the restaurants I ate in brought out a complementary starter plate which usually filled me up before my meal arrived. Be aware of this as you could actually save money and get a much smaller meal.
Polly in Paradise 
Leave a comment