Has any visitor to Malta not fallen in love with this fascinating archipelago? I doubt it. Oozing in history, graced with natural beauty, boasting a cuisine dominated by fresh seafood and tempting influences of its neighbours… I could go on and on, but you need to experience Malta for yourself. There’s so much to see and do and when you visit Blue Grotto Malta, just one of several natural treasures dotted along its coastline, you’ll see what I mean.

How to visit Blue Grotto Malta

Not to be confused with the Blue Lagoon, Malta’s Blue Grotto is not a single grotto, but a collection of sea caves on Malta’s southern coast. When the sea is calm or relatively calm, it’s possible to reach the Blue Grotto by boat. It’s one of several scenic spots on the island.

It’s easy to get to the Blue Grotto by public transportation. There are several bus routes, with one of the most popular leaving from the Valetta Terminal. Route 74 takes about 30 minutes to the Panorama stop. From there, it’s a short downhill walk to the boats ferrying passengers to the grotto.

The Blue Grotto, landside

As you venture down to the tiny seaside village of Wied Iż-Żurrieq, take in the landside view of the Blue Grotto and the open expanse of the Mediterranean that had a hand in its creation. Over the centuries, the force of the winds and waves against the cliffs led to the formation of the arched grotto, adjoining caves, and associated rock formations.

Purchase a boat ticket

Local captains of traditional Maltese fishing boats ferry visitors from the sheltered narrow inlet of Wied iż-Żurrieq harbour.

Tickets are available from the tiny kiosk at the top of the boat ramp to the inlet. The kiosk is marked as Blue Grotto Boat Service on Google Maps.

It’s a quick tour of the Blue Grotto, lasting about 25 minutes. There’s no tour guide and no commentary. The cost is eight euros for adults and five euros for children.

The Blue Grotto, seaside

On the day of my visit, getting from the inlet to the caves, perhaps under a kilometre, required negotiating two-metre-high swells. The boats and their captains handled them beautifully.

Each boat takes up to eight passengers. Expect to get cosy with the person beside you, as grabbing a leg for support is instinctive. Life jackets are mandatory.

Each cave is different. The water in one was 10 metres deep. Another had a separate entry and exit.

The caves collectively displayed spectacular shades of blue. We’d read that the Blue Grotto is at its best on sunny days when the reflection of the blue sky off the sandy seabed creates magnificent hues of blue. The sun’s position makes mornings better than afternoons for enjoying the rich blue colours.

The interaction of water and light with the minerals in the cave walls produces stunning shades of purple and green.

The clear waters make the area a popular diving and snorkelling spot. With so many boats venturing in and out of the caves, it’s too dangerous for divers to be in the caves at the same time. Some may be in the inlet, away from the usual path of the boats or a short distance off the coast at an artificial reef. The Um El Faroud, a 10,000-ton Libyan tanker was scuttled in 1998 and it has been a popular diving site since then.

Enjoy a seafood lunch

The popularity of the Blue Grotto has spawned the establishment of several gift shops and restaurants in the village. The sheltered inlet of Wied Iż-Żurrieq makes it an ideal fishing port.

We chose ‘Step in’ for its location, view, and seafood offerings. The enclosed area was very noisy, but the outdoors was more to our liking on a sunny March day. It was a glorious day, perfect for a seafood lunch overlooking the sea.

Is a visit to the Blue Grotto worth it?

Absolutely! Without wheels, it makes for a fantastic day trip using public transportation. With a vehicle, make it just one of several interesting stops on a day trip from Valetta or wherever you’re staying on the island. Weather is a factor, so check the conditions through your hotel or the tourist office before venturing out.

If Malta is on your travel list, these posts might be of interest:

• Why visit Malta? Use these planning tips and suggestions on 25 fabulous things to do in Malta to guide your visit
• The magnificent balconies and door-knockers of Malta
• Where to find amazing seafood in Malta

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